Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings (Cleveland, Ohio, USA), a global provider of protective and marine coatings, has produced FIRETEX FX6002, an intumescent (or fire resistant) coating that is durable for up to 20 years in most environments.
In addition to its fire protection capabilities, this durable coating is also fast curing—hard dry and handling times that can last as little as an hour—and can be used even without a top coat. As a result, the product “can offer a broader range of benefits and options than ever before whether you’re an architect, a developer, or an applicator,” says Bob Glendenning, global fire engineering manager for Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings.
Glendenning adds that this “game-changing technology” allows for steelwork to be transported within hours—as opposed to other coatings that can take days—and with vastly reduced damage on the paint job. Moreover, the new coating reduces the required film thickness, thereby reducing the material costs or need for additional touch ups.
Among the features that will be particularly beneficial to in-shop applicators of intumescent fire protection, FX6002 has volatile organic content (VOC) levels comparable to many water-based intumescent products and has a smooth, attractive finish when dry. The coating can also be specified with or without both primer and top coat, thereby providing project managers with a versatile material that can meet a variety of price points and applicator requirements.
FIRETEX FX6002 has been rigorously fire tested under the requirements of British Standards BS476 parts 20 and 21, and the ASFP Yellow Book (Edition 5). As such, the coating offers up to 120 minutes of fire protection to traditional rolled steel elements and cell beams.
Source: Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, www.protective.sherwin-williams.com