INTUMESCENT PAINT FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL
overview

The Certifire Schedule CA033 sets out the general operating procedures and performance, quality assurance and training requirements for the Certifire Australia Scheme for sprayed mineral coatings and board systems protecting structural steel elements. Certifire requirements for intumescent and ablative coatings for protecting structural steel are in a separate schedule.

Intumescent paint fire protection system – A fire protection system applied to structural steel elements consisting of a primer, intumescent paint and top sealer coat (as applicable).

Intumescent paint– Paint coating which reacts under the influence of heat by swelling in a controlled manner to many times its original thickness and typically producing a layer of carbonaceous char or foam which acts as an insulating layer for the structural steel element.

Primer – Interface coating(s) between the intumescent paint and the substrate.

Top sealer coat – Material applied to the surface of the intumescent paint as a decorative coating or as a protection (where necessary) against environmental degradation.

The Schedule is available from Certifire Pty. Ltd and Warrington Fire Research (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.  Certifire Australia Schedules may only be copied with the permission in writing of Certifire Pty. Ltd

The ability of fire protection systems to increase the Fire Resistance Level (FRL) of a load bearing steel member is dependent upon many factors. Typically these include variations in the components/materials of fire protection systems, in the surface area to mass ratio of the element, the load ratio and the method of application.

The methods for appraisal of fire protection systems for intumescent fire protection coatings for structural steel systems are given in section 3, the quality assurance level requirements for the manufacturers and suppliers of the systems are given in section 4, the competency/ training levels required for key personnel of a fire protection contracting organisation installing and maintaining intumescent coating fire protection systems for structural steel are given in section 5, and the quality assessment requirements for these fire protection contractors are given in section 6.

It is the intention that the Certifire scheme will complement relevant building regulations by ensuring systems are in place to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations.

Appraisals will be based on information derived from tests carried out in accordance with the heating conditions of AS1530.4.

NOTE:  It is not the intention that all tests are required to be repeated as new editions of AS1530.4 are released. In many cases it may be acceptable for evidence from tests used to extend the range of application to evaluate formulation changes, or other reasons, to also provide confirmatory data. It is important that Certifire is notified during the planning stages of such a test to ensure the test data will be acceptable. Where significant changes to a test methodology occur which necessitate further testing of existing Certifire systems a 'grace period' of 12 months will be permitted which will only be extended if further delays are justifiable. The 'grace period' does not apply to systems that have been demonstrated not to comply with the current Certifire specifications.