bowsers logo

Intumescent Coatings

Intumescent Coatings

Bowsers is a leader in the application of intumescent coatings, crucial for enhancing the fire resistance of structural elements within buildings. Intumescent coatings are applied as a thin protective layer that expands under heat, creating an insulation barrier over the substrate. This is a preferred application used by architects when you wish to preserve the aesthetic feature of the structural element. This process significantly reduces the risk of structural collapse by maintaining the stability of load-bearing steel in the event of a fire. Our comprehensive system includes a primer, the intumescent coating, and a sealer/topcoat, ensuring optimal fire protection and an aesthetically pleasing finish. 

Intumescent

Why It's Important

Intumescent coatings are vital for preserving a building’s structural stability during a fire, providing up to 120 minutes of protection. This time is critical for the safe evacuation of occupants and allows firefighters to combat the blaze effectively. Beyond their safety function, intumescent coatings are increasingly used as an architectural design feature, offering an attractive finish that can be integrated into the building’s design.

How It Works

Intumescent coatings are applied like paint to exposed steel surfaces. Upon exposure to extreme heat from a fire, the coating undergoes a chemical reaction, expanding to many times its original thickness. This expansion results in the formation of a charred layer that acts as an insulating barrier, protecting the steel beneath from the heat. This process significantly extends the time the steel can withstand fire conditions without losing its load-bearing capacity, contributing to overall building safety. The application typically involves a primer to prepare the steel surface, followed by the intumescent coating, and often a sealer or topcoat to provide additional protection and an aesthetically pleasing finish.

Our Approach

With over 50 years of experience as a passive fire rating contractor, Bowsers has completed more than 70 intumescent coating projects, showcasing our expertise and leadership in this field. Our skilled applicators perform work with meticulous supervision, coordinating seamlessly with other trades on-site. We provide a tailored solution, recommending the best type of intumescent coating for your specific situation, and ensure all applications are certified with fire ratings from 30 to 120 minutes.

Benefits of Choosing Bowsers

FAQs

By expanding under heat to form a protective insulating layer, intumescent coatings preserve the structural integrity of steel elements and enhancing the fire resistance of the building.

Generally speaking, yes. Intumescent coatings are versatile and can be applied to achieve an attractive finish, easily covering complex shapes and integrating into the architectural fabric of a building. Please contact Bowsers in relation to your specific needs.

Bowsers combines over 50 years of experience, a comprehensive portfolio of successful projects, and a commitment to compliant applications, maintaining our status as industry leaders. 

Enhance your building’s fire protection and aesthetic appeal with Bowsers’ intumescent coatings. Contact us today to discover how our certified solutions can benefit your project.

Our Projects

Explore our portfolio to witness the impact of our intumescent coatings on buildings across Australia, showcasing our commitment to safety and design excellence.