
What is an intumescent strip?
An intumescent strip is a seal generally found around the edges of a fire door and a door frame. Intumescent strips are made of synthetic chemicals and binders. This mix of materials do not burn immediately when exposed to extreme heat. Instead they expand in volume, which results in blocking the gaps between the fire door and door frame.
What are intumescent coatings?
Intumescent coatings may be designed for protection of metals (primarily steel) from fire. They may be based on a number of resin binders including epoxy, and silicone.
What are the different types of intumescent resin systems?
They may be based on a number of resin binders including epoxy, and silicone. Melamine-formaldehyde resin systems have even been used using layered double-hydroxide modified phosphate esters that improved the intumescent properties and also made an improvement to the smoke suppression properties.
How long can an intumescent seal hold a fire?
The standard intumescent strips available in the market can help contain a fire for either 30 or 60 minutes. If you require an intumescent seal on your door that can contain a fire for 30 minutes, you should use a film that is between 10mm to 15mm thick.

What is intumescent made from?
An intumescent material is a substance that does not burn immediately on exposure to heat but usually expands in volume while decreases in density. Intumescent seals can be made from a wide range of synthetic polymers and resin binders such as silicone or epoxy.
What is fire seal made of?
PALUSOL® P and PALUSOL® PM are intumescent fire seals made from PALUSOL, a hydrated sodium silicate material, encapsulated in a rigid thermoplastic profile.
What is intumescent strip?
An intumescent strip is a piece of fire-resistant material, which is fitted around the frame of a door. In the event of a fire, the strip will expand, preventing the fire from spreading.
How is intumescent paint made?
Intumescent products are made of a series of chemicals suspended in a binder. When the binder is exposed to heat it begins to soften, which allows the suspended chemicals to the heat. The chemicals begin to react, which releases vapors that create a foam.
How long do intumescent strips last?
Intumescent door strips are usually designed to provide up to 30 or 60 minutes fire resistance and help to contain the fire in one area and prevent it spreading. Use in conjunction with intumescent.
What material is inside a fire door?
What are fire doors made of? Fire doors can be made with a combination of timber, steel, gypsum, and aluminium. They can also have windows, which are made from borosilicate or ceramic glass (both of which offer a higher fire resistance than standard glass), and may contain an anti-shattering wire mesh.
What is the difference between smoke seals and intumescent strips?
What is the difference between a cold smoke seal and an intumescent strip? An intumescent strip expands when exposed to extreme heat, helping seal off gaps in between doors and door frames, to prevent the spread of fire. Smoke seals block smoke, and do not provide any protection against fire.
Can you paint over intumescent strip?
You can only over paint an intumescent strip which is designed for fire protection. You must not over paint a smoke seal. Also, be careful to ensure that the strip isn't damaged by the painter's preparations.
Can you cut intumescent strips?
The intumescent strip will need to be cut to length, and most will have self-adhesive backing strip to stick easily into the groove.
Is intumescent paint toxic?
INHALATION In high concentrations, vapours may irritate throat and respiratory system and cause coughing. Harmful by inhalation. Vapours have a narcotic effect and may cause headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea.
Is intumescent paint water based?
SC802 Intumescent Basecoat is a water-based, white, thin film intumescent coating for the protection of internal structural steelwork. SC802 can provide up to 60 minutes fire resistance. It can be applied to a smooth matt finish. A compatible top-seal can be applied if a decorative finish is required.
How thick is intumescent paint?
30 to 500 milsThe effectiveness of an intumescent fire resistive coating depends on the coating thickness and its ability to retain the ash layer. Coating thickness typically ranges from 30 to 500 mils (0.8 to 13 mm).
What is fire seal?
These seals are designed to be used within fire door assemblies, this is extremely important to controlling fire spreading through buildings. Using an Intumescent Seal helps to control the fire, it is assembled with PVC casings, which contain an expandable graphite or soduim silicate based compound.
Is fire sealant waterproof?
Fire sealing compounds also improve the waterproofing and soundproofing of a room. Fire sealing compounds are also capable of load-bearing.
What is the difference between smoke seals and intumescent strips?
What is the difference between a cold smoke seal and an intumescent strip? An intumescent strip expands when exposed to extreme heat, helping seal off gaps in between doors and door frames, to prevent the spread of fire. Smoke seals block smoke, and do not provide any protection against fire.
What is fire sealant used for?
With incorporated high solid Firestop compound, it effectively seals joints and seams in compartment walls & floors against the spread of fire, smoke, toxic gases and water up to 4 hours. It adheres to most construction materials and is applicable for areas where fire resistance is mandatory.
Do fire doors require intumescent strips?
Fire doors are typically required for:Commercial buildings, such as offices, shops and restaurantsPublic properties such as schools and hospitalsAn...
What’s the difference between smoke seals and intumescent strips?
Fire seals vs smoke sealsWhen a fire seal is exposed to extreme heat, the intumescent material expands and seals the gap between the door and the f...
How do you fit intumescent strips on a fire door?
Intumescent strips (and/or smoke seals) go in the fire-rated frame, lining or the door edge, depending on the type of product being used. According...
What do intumescent strips do?
Intumescent seals or strips are also known as fire door seals. When fitted correctly to a certified fire door, intumescent seals are designed to expand and fill the gaps between a fire door leaf and the frame.
How do intumescent seals work?
An intumescent material is one that swells up when exposed to heat: the heat from the fire reacts with the seal material, such as sodium silicate or graphite. A fire will reach around 200 degrees within 10-15 minutes of starting and it’s at this point that the intumescent strips will expand.
Do fire doors require intumescent strips?
If Building Regulations for the property in question dictate that fire doors are required, then intumescent strips will usually be needed. Different fire doors provide a certain length of protection from heat and flames.
How do you fit intumescent strips on a fire door?
Intumescent strips should always be fitted by a competent professional, such as a certified carpenter or joiner working under the Accredited Fire Door Installers Scheme.
What is an Intumescent Strip
Intumescent Strips, mainly used in steel doors and wooden doors and door frame, between the door and door.
Why is the Intumescent Strip important
The number of people is choked to death by smoke in the fire was 4-5 times that of those who burned. In some fires, many people who were “burned to death” were actually suffocated by smoke poisoning and then burned by fire.
Types
These intumescents produce a light char, which is a poor conductor of heat, thus retarding heat transfer. Typically the light char consist of microporous carbonaceous foam formed by a chemical reaction of three main components: ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol and melamine.
Applications
Intumescents are used to achieve passive fire protection for such applications as firestopping, fireproofing, gasketing and window casings. Such applications are relevant for buildings, offshore constructions, ships and aircraft .
Problems
Some intumescents are susceptible to environmental influences, such as humidity, which can reduce or negate their ability to function. In Germany, the Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik, DIBt, quantifies the ability of intumescents to stand the test of time against various environmental exposures.
Gallery
Low pressure intumescent resin: This product is suitable for use in passive fire protection in general, and in firestopping and interior fireproofing in particular. The small, orange chunk on the bottom right is capable of growing into the large black object above and to its left.
FJ200 Flexible Intumescent Gap Seal
FJ200 is elastomeric foam laminated with a graphite based intumescent compound on both sides.
FP302 Intumescent Strap
FP302 is designed to close off combustible elements whilst maintaining compartmentation.
