As sustainability requirements continue to shape modern building design, material emissions and indoor air quality (IAQ) are increasingly important considerations—particularly for exposed structural steel fire protection.
Contego International is pleased to share that Contego High Solids RFB IFRM has been independently evaluated for VOC emissions and now supports LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials requirements for paints and coatings.
What Changed?
Contego HS has recently completed third‑party emissions testing in accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2, the emissions protocol referenced by LEED v4 and v4.1 for Low‑Emitting Materials.
This testing evaluates what actually matters for occupants: what is released into indoor air after installation, not just what is listed on a label.
Emissions Testing Summary
Independent environmental chamber testing confirmed that Contego HS meets the LEED emissions thresholds under modeled building conditions.
Test Highlights:
Test Method: CDPH Standard Method v1.2
Modeled Scenarios: Private Office and School Classroom
Modeled TVOC Results:
Private Office: 0.1 mg/m³
School Classroom: < 0.1 mg/m³
LEED Allowable Limit: ≤ 0.5 mg/m³
Result: PASS for all modeled scenarios
These results place Contego HS well below LEED’s allowable emission limits.
What This Means for LEED Projects
Contego HS may now be used to support project compliance with:
As with all LEED credits, compliance is determined at the project level, based on the percentage of compliant materials used. Contego HS provides architects, engineers, and contractors with an additional compliant option when specifying intumescent fire‑resistive materials in exposed or architectural applications.
VOC Content vs. VOC Emissions
It is important to distinguish between VOC content and VOC emissions:
VOC content (e.g., ASTM D3960) measures what is in the liquid coating.
VOC emissions (CDPH 01350) measure what is released into indoor air after installation.
LEED v4 and v4.1 rely on emissions testing, which is why CDPH Standard Method v1.2 is the controlling requirement for Low‑Emitting Materials.
Contego HS has also demonstrated a low VOC content of 8 g/L per ASTM D3960 testing; however, emissions performance is the primary basis for LEED compliance.
Why This Matters for Intumescent Fireproofing
Unlike concealed fireproofing, intumescent coatings are often left exposed in architectural spaces. Ensuring that these materials meet IAQ expectations, without compromising fire performance, is critical for:
Offices and corporate interiors
Schools and educational facilities
Public buildings
Exposed structural steel designs
Contego HS was developed to balance fire resistance, aesthetics, constructability, and indoor air quality.
Documentation Availability
A LEED v4 / v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials Compliance Letter is available to support project submittals.
As sustainability requirements continue to evolve, Contego remains committed to providing technically sound, transparent, and compliant fire‑resistive solutions.
If you have questions about LEED compliance, emissions testing, or how Contego HS fits into your next project, our technical team is available to assist.
LEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED credits are awarded at the project level; products support compliance but are not individually certified.
Advancing Fire-Resistive Design for a Safer Future
Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation in Intumescent Coatings
Fire safety is essential to modern building design — protecting lives, assets, and ensuring code compliance. For 25 years, Contego International Inc. has been at the forefront of passive fire protection, delivering industry-leading performance through advanced materials science, rigorous testing, and trusted partnerships.
Proven Performance Across Structural Steel
Contego High Solids RFB is a water-based intumescent fire-resistive material (IFRM), tested and listed to ASTM E119, UL 263, and ULC S101.
We collaborate with UL, ASTM, ICC, and NFCA to meet the highest standards in North America.
Why Designers Choose Contego IFRM
Contego High Solids RFB offers unmatched performance for fire-resistive coatings
Thin Film Efficiency: Low DFTs for 1–3 hour ratings; e.g., 17.5 mils for 1-hour protection at W/D ≥ 0.68 and 165 mils for 3-hour protection at W/D ≥ .50.
Beam Coverage: Designed for W/D ≥ 0.50 and Hp/A ≥ 266 — up to 3-hour protection.
Column Range: W/D from 0.29–2.98 and Hp/A from 45–465.
HSS Flexibility: A/P from 0.207–0.606 and Hp/A from 65–190 — ideal for exposed steel.
Value Through Every Phase
What Does this Mean for Our Customers?
Contego High Solids RFB offers clear advantages across the project. Owners save on material and labor with less product needed for up to 3-hour ratings, reducing overall costs. Architects gain design flexibility with a thinner, high-performance finish. Contractors and applicators benefit from faster, more predictable application, improving efficiency on the jobsite.
Build with Confidence!
Explore our design listings in the above links and see how Contego can support your next project. Our team is ready to assist with specifications, submittals, or technical comparisons.
https://contegointernational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/contego-logo-redder.png00Aaron Frenchhttps://contegointernational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/contego-logo-redder.pngAaron French2025-07-30 12:19:192025-07-30 12:19:59Contego High Solids RFB IFRM – Wide Flange Beam Designs CII/IF 180-01, 60-02 Intumescent Fire Protection
https://contegointernational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/contego-logo-redder.png00Aaron Frenchhttps://contegointernational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/contego-logo-redder.pngAaron French2025-01-03 08:59:432025-01-03 08:59:43Contego 2024 Year in Review
Contego HS Now Supports LEED v4 / v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials
As sustainability requirements continue to shape modern building design, material emissions and indoor air quality (IAQ) are increasingly important considerations—particularly for exposed structural steel fire protection.
Contego International is pleased to share that Contego High Solids RFB IFRM has been independently evaluated for VOC emissions and now supports LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials requirements for paints and coatings.
What Changed?
Contego HS has recently completed third‑party emissions testing in accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2, the emissions protocol referenced by LEED v4 and v4.1 for Low‑Emitting Materials.
This testing evaluates what actually matters for occupants: what is released into indoor air after installation, not just what is listed on a label.
Emissions Testing Summary
Independent environmental chamber testing confirmed that Contego HS meets the LEED emissions thresholds under modeled building conditions.
Test Highlights:
These results place Contego HS well below LEED’s allowable emission limits.
What This Means for LEED Projects
Contego HS may now be used to support project compliance with:
LEED v4 / v4.1 EQ Credit – Low‑Emitting Materials (Paints and Coatings)
As with all LEED credits, compliance is determined at the project level, based on the percentage of compliant materials used. Contego HS provides architects, engineers, and contractors with an additional compliant option when specifying intumescent fire‑resistive materials in exposed or architectural applications.
VOC Content vs. VOC Emissions
It is important to distinguish between VOC content and VOC emissions:
LEED v4 and v4.1 rely on emissions testing, which is why CDPH Standard Method v1.2 is the controlling requirement for Low‑Emitting Materials.
Contego HS has also demonstrated a low VOC content of 8 g/L per ASTM D3960 testing; however, emissions performance is the primary basis for LEED compliance.
Why This Matters for Intumescent Fireproofing
Unlike concealed fireproofing, intumescent coatings are often left exposed in architectural spaces. Ensuring that these materials meet IAQ expectations, without compromising fire performance, is critical for:
Contego HS was developed to balance fire resistance, aesthetics, constructability, and indoor air quality.
Documentation Availability
A LEED v4 / v4.1 Low‑Emitting Materials Compliance Letter is available to support project submittals.
Full third‑party test reports are available upon request.
Looking Ahead
As sustainability requirements continue to evolve, Contego remains committed to providing technically sound, transparent, and compliant fire‑resistive solutions.
If you have questions about LEED compliance, emissions testing, or how Contego HS fits into your next project, our technical team is available to assist.
LEED® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED credits are awarded at the project level; products support compliance but are not individually certified.
Contego High Solids RFB IFRM – Wide Flange Beam Designs CII/IF 180-01, 60-02 Intumescent Fire Protection
Advancing Fire-Resistive Design for a Safer Future
Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation in Intumescent Coatings
Fire safety is essential to modern building design — protecting lives, assets, and ensuring code compliance. For 25 years, Contego International Inc. has been at the forefront of passive fire protection, delivering industry-leading performance through advanced materials science, rigorous testing, and trusted partnerships.
Proven Performance Across Structural Steel
Contego High Solids RFB is a water-based intumescent fire-resistive material (IFRM), tested and listed to ASTM E119, UL 263, and ULC S101.
Design listings include:
We collaborate with UL, ASTM, ICC, and NFCA to meet the highest standards in North America.
Why Designers Choose Contego IFRM
Contego High Solids RFB offers unmatched performance for fire-resistive coatings
Value Through Every Phase
What Does this Mean for Our Customers?
Contego High Solids RFB offers clear advantages across the project. Owners save on material and labor with less product needed for up to 3-hour ratings, reducing overall costs. Architects gain design flexibility with a thinner, high-performance finish. Contractors and applicators benefit from faster, more predictable application, improving efficiency on the jobsite.
Build with Confidence!
Explore our design listings in the above links and see how Contego can support your next project. Our team is ready to assist with specifications, submittals, or technical comparisons.
Contego 2024 Year in Review