Intumescent coatings are now increasingly being used to prevent the load-bearing steel framework of a building from collapsing prematurely in the event of a fire.

In the event of a fire the paint swells to create a layer of foam with a very high insulation value. This dramatically reduces the speed at which the steel framework heats up.

This makes it possible to prevent the steel framework from reaching the critical steel temperature for a specific predetermined period of time (in accordance with the Buildings Decree). Then, in the event of a fire, any people in the building can be evacuated and members of the fire brigade can enter the building to extinguish the fire without any risk of the building collapsing.

In many cases the intumescent coatings can be applied in our sandblasting and paint spraying workshop during the prefabrication phase. It is also possible for the intumescent coatings to be applied to the building on site during the final phase of construction.

A very small selection of the type of projects we carry out includes:

• Converted warehouse premises, Wilhelmina Pakhuis, Amsterdam
• Extension of the Akzo Nobel building in Delfzijl
• Tram tunnel in The Hague
• Extension of the of the Peace Palace in The Hague
• Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences
• Plots 4 and in 5 Almere city centre
• Extension of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam
• The Ronald McDonald House in Rotterdam
• The Corpus Museaal Museum in Oegstgeest (which takes visitors on a journey through the body)

If you would like to know more, please contact the specialists at Schalekamp or visit the Reppel website.