Fire-resistance technology

Non-protected steel structures are able to withstand high temperatures for 5-25 minutes, since mechanical strength of metal heated up to 500°C declines. During a fire at the objects of civil and industrial construction this leads to failure of the load carrying metal structures of buildings. And the result is loss of property and fire victims.

To avoid this different fire protection approaches are employed. Nowadays the efficient prevention measures have become the most popular. They are aimed at prevention of rapid failure of buildings and constructions during fire. The most widely-spread and convenient approach is application of the fire-proof intumescent paints on the load – carrying metal structures . At high temperatures the coatings based on the fire-proof intumescent paints show significant increase in volume and are rearranged into the porous heat-insulating layer – coked cellular material. It protects metal from overheat. The fire resistance time of metal structures rises manifoldly and they stay firm for significantly more time.

Fire-retardant paint application is conducted on the prepared (primed) surface. Steel structures priming is conducted at the manufacturing plant. The application of fire-retardant coating on steel structures is carried out at the site. Technological gap between these processes is often several months. Inexpensive primers with short service life (e.g., GF-021) may cause corrosion damage. As a result, the fire-retardant coatings effectiveness will be reduced. VMP anti-corrosion primers and primer enamels will provide reliable and long-term protection.

FIRE-RETARDANT PROCEDURES

The fire-retardant composition shall be applied in several layers, depending on the required fire-retardant rating. Each material layer shall be applied after the previous one has dried. The fire-retardant compositions for steel structures and anticorrosive materials offer unique coating systems for structures protection from high temperatures and corrosion. Standard fire-retardant systems, composed of a primer and fire-retardant material, are selected based on operating conditions, the required level of fire protection for the steel and other object characteristics. 

If thin-layer fire-retardant (fire-retardant paints) can't be used, structural fire protection is applied to steel.   For example, on load-bearing building elements of I and II fire-resistance degree, where the metal thickness is reduced to less than 5.8 mm. There are different types of materials. VMP produces plaster mixture PLAMCOR-4. The composition is applied in a thicker layer than paints on the prepared (primed) surface. The material is mixed with water before application to the structure. Plastering machines are recommended for applying fire-retardant coatings, as the use of contact tools, such as spatulas, leads to deterioration of the fire-retardant properties of the coating.

Finish enamels are used on fire-retardant systems for steel structures with high aesthetic requirements. The coating materials have different gloss degrees, from matte to glossy, and are tinted according to the RAL color catalog. The high UV-resistance of enamels allows to keep the decorative performance for a long time.

VMP Holding's PLAMCOR fire-retardant paints offer a fire-resistance limit of up to 120 minutes for steel structures, and structural protection materials provide a fire-resistance limit of up to 150 minutes.  

FIRE-PROTECTION OF STEEL STRUCTURES OF INDUSTRIAL AND CIVIL FACILITIES

Fire-protection is required for industrial and civil facilities. The main difference is that fire protection for steel structures in an industrial environment requires more resistant coatings to withstand aggressive environments. Material characteristics such as environmental friendliness and decorative performance are important for civil engineering facilities.

The VMP product range includes fire-retardant materials for different building types.

PLAMCOR-1 – is an ecological paint, used mainly for civil facilities fire-protection. It is recommended for application of steel structures fire protection in closed poorly-ventilated rooms.

PLAMCOR-2 – is used for steel structures fire protection of various buildings. It is recommended for indoor use. Shall be applied at low temperatures (up to - 25°C).

PLAMCOR-3 – is a weather-resistant fire-retardant composition recommended for use in aggressive conditions of an open industrial atmosphere.

PLAMCOR-4 – is a fire-retardant plaster mixture, used as a structural fire-resistance inside facilities with non-aggressive and slightly aggressive environment.

PLAMCOR-5 – is a fire-retardant composition used for steel structures protection in open industrial atmosphere against hydrocarbon fire.

VMP fire-retardant materials shall be used in complex coating systems. For more information, refer to the special sections.

Standard fire-retardant systems for steel structures

Fire protection of metal structures of industrial objects

Fire protection of metal structures of civil objects