Flame retardant coatings are a great addition to kitchens and areas that are exposed to heat and elements. The primary purpose is to stop flames and fire spreading over a given surface. Protecting a surface with a flame retardant coating ensures for better safety in the event of a fire.
Fire retardant paints are usually used in large-scale industrial spaces or public buildings but can also be used on smaller DIY projects.
Why you should use Flame Retardant Coatings
If you have carried out a risk assessment then you have probably identified which areas are of highest risk. To ensure your building is safe, you should follow a risk assessment with safety precautions such as flame retardant coatings to minimise the risks of a fire spread.
Flame retardant paints supply a high level of fire protection and can be used on all types of surfaces. A common place that you may use a flame retardant coating is on wooden kitchen counters (around cooking appliances).
Categories of Fire Retardant Paints
For fire retardant coatings there are two main categories, both of these categories meet the stringiest safety requirements of UK Building Regulations.
Class 1 – British Standard (BS) 476 part 7 is a coating that will delay both ignition and the spread of flames. Fire testing has shown this product is best used predominantly for private houses and other domestic buildings.
Class 0 – British Standard (BS) 476 part 6 is a protective coating that expands in the heat of a fire. The layer provides the wood with insulation and protection from the heat and also oxygen, so it cannot ignite and in doing so controls the spread of the fire. This layer is also known as an Intumescent paint coating.
Fire Retardant Finishes
Flame retardant coatings are usually available in a clear finish and produce a layer similar to how a varnish would look. Flame retardant finishes are designed to be non-toxic and solvent free. This is extremely important for surfaces that may be exposed to high levels of heat.
As a professional spray finishing company, Finework ensure that their flame retardant coatings are applied evenly and in full accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Their fire resistant paint offers excellent fire resistances. This, coupled with their expert application, means you can feel reassured that it will be highly effective should the need ever occur. Find out more here: https://finework.co.uk/flame-retardant-coatings
