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Origins of Epoxy Intumescent
Initial development
Epoxy intumescent was primarily developed for the petrochemical industry—especially offshore oilrigs—where severe fire exposures can be encountered. In this environment, the formulation proved quite capable of withstanding blast and jet fire conditions—and also extreme cold, chemical attack, abrasion, corrosion, and major impact.
The superior capacity of epoxy intumescent in withstanding severe fire exposures is relevant to the ever-present threat of terrorist action (i.e. abnormal exposure conditions due to combined impact, blast damage and/or fire).
The graph below demonstrates the different time temperature curves for this kind of ‘hydrocarbon’ fire and ‘cellulosic’ fires (as used for most Building Regulations standards on fire protection).
Hydrocarbon fires are characterised by a rapid and massive temperature increase as the fuel ignites. This also causes a high level of pressure that would seriously compromise traditional thin-film intumescents. Most other traditional structural steelwork fire protection systems would also find it difficult to cope with this level of force.
Test data
The typical key data and substantiations for epoxy intumescent, as used by Interact Fire Solutions, are summarised as:
* tested to BS476 (parts 20 & 21)
* tested in both cellulosic and hydrocarbon conditions (up to 4 hours)
* holds certificate of approval from Lloyd’s
* supported by Warrington Fire Research
* jet fire test by SINTAF (Norway)
* blast test by Building Research Establishment (Cardington)
Given all these stringent tests and certifications, it is clear how the basic material of epoxy intumescent can be deployed as a top quality fire protection medium in the construction industry.
Moreover, its inherent robustness also makes it ideal for external protection.
On a daily basis, buildings are vulnerable to many different
hazards that can cause serious damage—everything from cleaning
machines to deliberate vandalism. Products like Interactive Columns
can withstand this kind of attack without any detrimental effect.