Passive Fire Protection With Fire Spray

September 3rd, 2010 by admin

Passive fire protection is an important consideration when remodeling or constructing a building.  Active fire protection such as smoke detectors or sprinkler systems is something the majority of people consider but passive fire protection is often overlooked.  One of the main types of passive fire protection is vermiculite fire spray or vermiculite fire protection.  This is a very efficient type of fire protection although not too aesthetically pleasing.  It is perfect for an industrial settling or where it will not be seen on a day to day basis.  The alternative to using vermiculite fire spray is to use intumescent fire spray instead but the cost of the vermiculite fire spray makes it a much more viable option for most settings. 

When using vermiculite fire spray, the steel structural areas are covered or sprayed with vermiculite materials in a very thick layer to act as a fire barrier.  One consideration when using vermiculite fire spray though is to make sure that the area is basically a non corrosive area since the vermiculite is porous and moisture could seep in through the vermiculite and damage or corrode the steel underneath or behind the fire spray.  If the area is corrosive, the only other option is to use the more expensive intumescent fire spray because it also has a thick paint layer that is applied along with the fire protection system which makes it non porous.   The intumescent coating thickness is determined by calculations and applied in layers instead of the standard thick layer that is required for the vermiculite fire spray.  Because of the difference of application, the intumescent fire spray is a much thinner coating and thus is more desirable where it will be visible or where the area is corrosive.  Unfortunately the cost makes it prohibitive to most industrial areas but in most settings the vermiculite fire spray is acceptable and works efficiently.

Fire protection is something that should be considered more often when constructing or remodeling as it can save much time and money and lessen damage in the event that fire does occur within the structure.  A bit of planning ahead can save much time and effort after the fact.

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