Intumescent paint represents the perfect synergy between modern architectural design and rigorous fire engineering. Unlike traditional bulky fire protection methods, intumescent coatings are applied as a thin, sleek film that preserves the natural, striking profile of exposed steelwork. At FSD Maintenance, we offer specialist on-site and off-site intumescent paint applications across Kent, London, and the South East. In a fire scenario, these advanced coatings undergo a chemical reaction, expanding up to 50 times their original thickness to form a dense, carbonaceous char that insulates the steel from structural failure.
To accommodate tight construction schedules and varying environmental conditions, we offer two distinct application pathways:bsolute clarity on their building’s safety status:
Efficient application directly on the construction site or within existing commercial buildings, utilizing low-VOC, water-based coatings that minimise disruption.
Coating steel beams at a controlled facility prior to delivery. This eliminates weather delays, speeds up on-site assembly, and ensures a flawless factory finish.
Availability of a wide range of topcoats in specific RAL colours and gloss levels, protecting the intumescent layer from moisture while matching your interior design.
Continuous monitoring of both Wet Film Thickness (WFT) during application and Dry Film Thickness (DFT) upon curing to guarantee compliance.
Tailored coating specifications offering targeted 30, 60, 90, or 120-minute structural fire ratings.
Compliance in structural fire protection is absolute. FSD Maintenance strictly follows the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) Yellow Book guidelines, which govern the commercial application of intumescent coatings. All products used are rigorously tested in accordance with BS 476 Parts 20-22 and BS EN 13381-8. We provide full product traceability, logging batch numbers and climatic application conditions to ensure your building control officer receives an airtight, legally compliant handover package that satisfies UK Building Regulations Approved Document B.
On-site coating is applied directly at the building site, which is ideal for retrofits or refurbishments. Off-site coating is done in a controlled factory environment before the steel arrives on site. Off-site is highly efficient for new builds as it saves time on the construction schedule and eliminates delays caused by bad UK weather.
If the steel is exposed to high humidity, external environments, or requires a specific aesthetic finish, a protective topcoat (top-sealer) is mandatory. This topcoat protects the chemical properties of the intumescent paint from moisture and UV degradation while providing your desired color finish.
The required thickness (measured in microns) depends entirely on the specific steel profile size (section factor) and the required fire rating (e.g., 60 vs. 90 minutes). It can range from less than 1mm to several millimetres thick, which is precisely calculated by our technical team before application.
Yes. For internal retrofits in Kent, we utilise advanced water-based, low-odour, and low-VOC intumescent paints. These systems pose no health risks to building occupants and allow commercial businesses to remain operational during the upgrade process.
Don’t wait for an inspection failure to secure your property. Speak directly with a Kent-based passive fire protection specialist today to discuss your project requirements or to book a comprehensive site survey.
