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Flame Retardant Coating

HeatShield FR-15

 

Application Guide

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This guide defines the rules and methods for the preparation and handling of HeatShield FR-15, preparations to the surfaces to be treated, the procedures of application by manual and mechanized methods, and the quality control operations.

 

The life, quality, and efficiency of the flame retardant coating HeatShield FR-15 depends not only on the quality of the raw product in liquid state, but also on the surface preparation before applying the coating and on the correct preparation of the coating product for application, as well as on the proper technology of application.

 

Read this application guide before starting the application of HeatShield FR-15.

                                  

 

1.     PURPOSE AND USES

 

 

1.1  Flame retardant coating HeatShield FR-15 is designed for permanent passive fire protection of various materials, structures, and objects, such as electric cables, wood, steel, concrete, plastics, all kinds of foamed, fibrous, and granular thermal insulation materials, etc. It can be applied as easy as paint is applied, with the help of a brush, a roller, or a spray-gun. 

 

1.2  The coating ensures increased flame resistance of steel, wood, and other building structures and materials, reducing combustivity of materials and also improves the surface flame-spread resistance of the coated materials, such as electric cables, while it prolongs cable performance in fire conditions.

 

1.3  The specially developed binder polymer used in the product allows the coating to remain elastic even after drying throughout its life, which makes it very convenient to apply HeatShield FR-15 on resilient and flexible objects that may be subjected to bending.

 

1.4  HeatShield FR-15 may be used for indoor and outdoor applications. In the latter case, for enhanced durability, chemical and weather resistance, it is recommended to put an additional top coat of a weather-proofing paint, such as LAM’s Acrathane or Weathershield, or similar.

 

1.5  HeatShield FR-15 can be used not only for fire protection treatment of new objects, but for repairs of the old HeatShield FR-15 coating or other flame retardant materials, as it is compatible with most known fire-proofing coatings and materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.     TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

2.1 Composition:

HeatShield FR-15 in raw state is a system of organic and inorganic components and intumescing agents based on synthetic polymers dispersed in water medium. It is environment- and health-friendly, and does not produce toxic fumes or substances when exposed to fire.

The raw product in liquid state contains about 64% of solids. Its chemical composition ensures low water absorption and has good anti-corrosive properties. The coating can be applied directly onto the protected surface, with no undercoat primer needed. A surface protected with the fire retardant coating  HeatShield FR-15 has white color and can be top-treated further.

 

Chlorinated rubber, bitumen, or thermoplastic coatings should not be used on top of HeatShield FR-15.

 

2.2 Specifications:

 

Pure material or mixture                    Mixture

Physical form in raw state                 Liquid

Appearance/Physical Description      Off-white liquid

pH value                                            6.5 approx.

Inflammation point                            non-flammable          

Specific gravity                                 1 350 kg/m3

Thinner                                               water

Content of solids                              64% approx.

min. working temperature                 +41ºF (+5 oC)

minimum life term                             12 years

Shelf life                                            at min. temperature  +41ºF (+5 oC)  up to 12 months

 

2.3 Liquid HeatShield FR-15 can be additionally aggregated with refractive powder or fiber fillers enhancing the structural matrix and the fire proofing properties of the dry coating.

 

2.4. Packaging: plastic pails with self-sealing lids,  net …  kgs.

 

2.5 Storage life: 24 months.

 

 

 

3. ACTION PRINCIPLE

3.1 HeatShield FR-15, when applied as a paint onto the treated surface, dries  under  ambient    

conditions and forms a thin passive barrier film of a fire retardant coating which intumesces  (swells) when exposed to extreme heat forming a quasi-ceramic foamy char which insulates the underlying surface from flames by reflecting and dispersing thermal energy.

 

3.2 Unlike other intumescent  fire  retardant coatings  that have been used in the past, HeatShield

      FR-15 does not slough off upon prolonged exposure to flame in conjunction with wind.

 

3.3 While  many  conventional  intumescent  paints  are solvent-based  and  can  form dangerous

concentrations of fumes and vapors while being sprayed, especially in closed spaces,  HeatShield FR-15 is water-based. This makes the product environment-friendly, more cost-effective, and widely expands its uses.

 

3.4 The  specially developed  binder polymer  used in the product  allows  the coating  to  remain

elastic enough after drying throughout its life, which makes it very convenient to apply the coating on resilient and flexible objects that may be subjected to bending (like, for example, electric cables).

 

3.5 HeatShield FR-15  preserves  flame  retardant   properties  and  intumesces when  exposed  to

      flame even when it is applied on top of a common non-intumescent paint or  when  it  is  top-

      coated with a common non-flame-retardant paints and lacquer.

 

4. SURFACE PREPARATION FOR APPLICATION OF HeatShield FR-15

 

 

4.1 Metal  surfaces  should  be  degreased  and  cleaned  from  scale,  dust,  and  loose  rust.  It  is 

recommended to apply a 1 mil (0.0254 mm) coat of LAM’s Acracoat anti-corrosive primer   as a grounding for HeatShield FR-15 on metal surfaces.

 

4.2 The treated surface should be free of moisture, dew, or ice.

 

4.3 When  applied  on  wooden,  plastic,  PVC,   concrete  or  other  surfaces  HeatShield  FR-15

      does not require any primer grounding.

 

 

5. PREPARATION OF MATERIAL FOR APPLICATION

5.1 Before using the product  make sure that  the standard packaging  container is intact,  has  no

      leakage points, and no contents has been spilled.

 

5.2 After opening, check that there isn’t any foreign contaminating matter.

 

5.3 Inspect the condition of the product by sight. It should have homogenous body and color.

After prolonged storage it is possible that the harder components partly separate from the liquid and settle while the transparent liquid polymer solution remains on top. This does not have any negative impact on the product quality.

 

 

 

 

5.4 HeatShield FR-15 does not have to be diluted and is ready for application as is. Only in cases when the container has remained open for a prolonged time or has been frequently opened which may cause natural evaporation of water, just add a little water.

 

5.5 Stir the contents of the container with a suitable mixer fitted to a power drill. Mix the product

thoroughly for a few minutes until it becomes homogenous cream-like emulsion. Make sure that no clods remain and the viscosity is the same at the bottom as at the top.

 

5.6 The optimum application temperature of the coating should be +59oF (+15oC) to +77oF (+25oC).

 

5.7. The ambient temperature and the temperature of the surface to be coated should not be lower

       Than  +41oF (5oC).

 

5.8 The material is ready for use.

 

5.9 Before you begin, cover up the nearby walls, ceilings, floors, structures, and equipment with a suitable foil or tarpaulin to protect them from the spray fog and drips.

 

6. COATING APPLICATION

 

6.1 Theoretical material consumption of HeatShield FR-15 depending on the coat thickness 

 

Table 1.

 

Dry coat thickness

Corresponding total wet coat thickness

Material consumption per square meter

Covering capacity

from 1 kg (m2)

0.25 mm

0.35 mm

0.472 kg/m2

2.12 m2

0.3 mm *

0.42 mm

0.567 kg/m2

1.76 m2

0.35 mm

0.49  mm

0.662 kg/m²

1.51 m²

0.4 mm

0.56 mm

0.756 kg/m²

1.32 m²

0.45 mm

0.63 mm

0.851 kg/m²

1.18 m²

0.5 mm

0.7 mm

0.945 kg/m²

1.1 m²

0.55 mm

0.77 mm

1.040 kg/m²

0.962 m²

0.6 mm

0.84 mm

1.134 kg/m²

0.882 m²

0.65 mm

0.91 mm

1.229 kg/m²

0.814 m²

0.7 mm

0.98 mm

1.323 kg/m²

0.756 m²

0.75 mm

1.05 mm

1.418 kg/m²

0.706 m²

0.8 mm

1.12 mm

1.512 kg/m²

0.661 m²

0.85 mm

1.19 mm

1.607 kg/m²

0.622 m²

0.9 mm

1.26 mm

1.701 kg/m²

0.588 m²

0.95 mm

1.33 mm

1.796 kg/m²

0.557 m²

1 mm

1.4 mm

1.890 kg/m²

0.529 m²

* NOTE: The 0.3 mm dry coat thickness is recommended for protection of wooden structures. It should be kept in mind that the texture and structure of a wooden surface can be rough and porous, which might require a thicker wet layer of HeatShield FR-15.

** The values in Table 1 do not include possible paint losses, especially from spraying.

 

Table 2.

Material consumption and additional load on cable trays due to the weight of the flame retardant coating HeatShield FR-15 applied on electric cables

Typical variants of cable laying

 

Weight load of the applied coating per 1 running meter of cable tray

 

Standard cable tray,

400 mm wide

 

Cables laid upon a non-combustible bearing

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 For  

 0.25 mm

dry coat

 For  

 0.6 mm

dry coat

 For  

 0.9 mm

dry coat

Coating weight

(grams / running meter)

Wet

     Dry

Coating weight

(grams / running meter)

Wet

     Dry

Coating weight

(grams / running meter)

Wet

     Dry

 

 

 

Bunch of cables with a perimeter up to  20 cm

 

 

107

 

68

 

256

 

162

 

386

 

243

 

Bunch of cables with a perimeter up to  30 cm

 

 

161

 

101

 

 

384

 

243

 

579

 

365

Bunch of cables with a perimeter up to  60 cm

 

 

322

 

202

 

770

 

486

 

 

1150

 

729

Bunch of cables with a perimeter up to  80 cm

 

 

430

 

270

 

 

 

1026

 

648

 

1544

 

972

Bunch of cables with a perimeter up to  100 cm

 

 

536

 

338

 

1282

 

810

 

1930

 

1215

 

 

6.1  Application with a roller

 

 

6.1.1        The optimum application temperature of the coating material as well as the ambient temperature should be +59oF (+15oC) to  +77oF (+ 25oC), but in no case less than  +41oF +5ºC.

6.1.2        The coating dries and cures better at a relative humidity up to 65%. At higher humidity the drying time should be increased.

6.1.3        The next coat may be applied after the first coat is dry, which may take 1 to 4 hours, depending on the humidity and temperature.

6.1.4        The drying time of the last coat should not be less than 24 hours, especially if  another coat of a sealing lacquer is to be applied on top of it.

6.1.5        Use the standard roller application techniques for this method.

6.1.6        Make sure to stir the prepared coating material before dipping the roller into it.

6.1.7        For better covering apply two wet coats at a time, one across the other (by criss-cross strokes).

6.1.8        The applied wet coat thickness depends on the type of the roller and on the pressure applied.

6.1.9        Upon completion wash the roller with warm water or dispose.

 

 

6.2  Application by brushing

 

6.2.1        Use regular brushing techniques. Choose an appropriate, preferably flat brush.

6.2.2        Since HeatShield FR-15 in liquid state is thixotropic there can be lining traces left from the brush bristles.

6.2.3        Apply the coating with criss-cross strokes for better covering. 

6.2.4        The wet coat thickness depends on the material viscosity and on the pressure applied on the brush.

6.2.5        The application temperature and humidity conditions are the same as for roller application (see pp. 6.1.1 and 6.1.2).

6.2.6        The drying conditions are the same as described in pp. 6.1.3-6.1.4.

6.2.7        Upon completion wash the brush with warm water or dispose.

 

 

 

6.3  Application by spraying 

 

6.3.1        The recommended spraying method for HeatShield FR-15 is using airless high-pressure spraying equipment, preferably with the rated capacity of 240 bar.

6.3.2        The ambient temperature and humidity conditions are the same as described for rolling or brushing methods.

6.3.3        The drying time for intermediate and final coats is the same as described for rolling and brushing methods above.

6.3.4        Make sure to select the appropriate size spray-gun nozzle depending on the viscosity of the material.

6.3.5        Before application, do some test spraying to adjust the pressure and to make sure the sprayed coating is laid smoothly and regularly.

6.3.6        In exclusive cases, to adjust the viscosity, it is fine to add a little water.

6.3.7        Make sure to cover up the nearby objects from spray fog with a foil or tarpaulin.

6.3.8        The first coat should be applied with a thinnest possible layer (“dust-covered”), for better adhesion.

6.3.9        After the first “dust” layer is dry, proceed with applying the next coat (about 0.1 mm in wet state).

6.3.10     Upon completion, at the end of the shift or for prolonged breaks drain the remaining fire retardant coating material from the spray-pump container, spray out the residue material and clean the equipment by washing it out with water until the spray fog becomes transparent (watery).

6.3.11    Disassemble and wash the spray-gun parts in water using a brush.

6.3.12    The same procedures apply to the spraying of water-based primers or topping lacquers.

6.3.13    If a solvent-based sealer coating is applied on top of HeatShield FR-15, use an appropriate spray-gun nozzle and adjust the pressure accordingly.

6.3.14    After spraying a solvent-based paint or lacquer, wash out the spray equipment immediately with the appropriate solvent used for dilution of the paint or with a multi-purpose solvent.

 

7. QUALITY CONTROL

7.1   The coating application quality is carried out in the form of individual pace inspections at all stages. It involves control of the surface preparation before the application of the fire retardant coating, the control of the material preparation, the coating application parameters, the control of the wet and dry coat thickness.

7.2.1        Control by sight:

-          The coating material applied onto the treated surface should form  a  regular  uninterrupted film throughout the treated surface, without blisters or voids. This should be controlled continuously by sight during the application works.

7.2.2 Control of the coating thickness:

-   The preliminary coat thickness is controlled in wet state with the help of a dented plate gauge.

-   The dry coat thickness is checked on limited size areas with the aid of an electronic

   thickness gauge. 

 

8. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The common standard safety precautions that are meant for regular water-based paints and lacquers apply to the fire retardant coating HeatShield FR-15. No special extra safety measures are required for handling HeatShield FR-15, as it is human and environment-friendly.

8.1  The most common individual protection means are protective goggles and appropriate Overalls.

8.2  In case of eye or skin contact, wash the affected areas with water.

8.3  Do not swallow.

8.4  Observe the instructions given in the Material Safety Data Sheet provided with every batch of the product.

8.5  When using the equipment for spraying HeatShield FR-15 observe the safety instructions given in the equipment user’s manual and the respective local safety regulations.

8.6  Ensure sufficient ventilation when spraying HeatShield FR-15 indoors, especially in closed areas.

8.7  All electric equipment and devices that are used for application must be properly grounded.

 

9. TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

 

10.1     Material transportation:

10.1.1 HeatShield FR-15 may be shipped by all means in conformity with

            the relevant regulations for the particular mode of transport.

10.1.2 The product should be transported in the factory packaging containers at temperatures

           from +41ºF (+5ºC) to +113º F (45ºC). Do not freeze!

 

10.2     Storage:

10.2.1 The product should be stored in tightly sealed factory containers in a dry cool place at 

           Temperatures from +41ºF  (+5ºC) to +86ºF  (30ºC).

           Keep away from children!