When applying Contego intumescent paint, following the preparation and application guidelines developed over twenty years in business is a must.
If your preparation and application processes are in line with our published guidelines, Contego Intumescent will safely protect your project. We have created a series of six videos to help train your team. This first video explains how to safeguard your applicator, prepare the paint, and the type of equipment we recommend for our intumescent coating.
Contego comes in two thickness formulations:
The High Solids version (HS) has a 70% solids content and can be applied 30 mils wet, drying down to 21 mils. This preparation requires fewer coats to achieve a specified dry film thickness. Although thicker wet film coats can be applied with HS, the finish is essentially just as smooth as our Original version. The Original formula dries to approximately 50 percent of the applied amount. Due to its formulation, when the Original version dries, it is a bit smoother than HS.
The zero VOC content of both formulations has been demonstrated by testing ASTM D 3960-05, “Standard Test Method for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and Related Coatings.” This makes Contego a safe coating for both the applicator and those who live within the structures protected by Contego.
The difference between HS and Original is that HS has less water and more thixotropy. Otherwise, comparison of the FTIR spectraflouriscopic “signature” of each version show they are chemically identical, so both offer the same class-leading fire protection.
HS is generally used on large projects, especially on structural steel columns and beams. These structures are often not visible when the project is completed, but that aside Contego is generally thinner, lighter, and less expensive than any other intumescent coating available. Plus, applying HS makes the job go faster because it requires less product and spraying. The Original version is usually used when spraying isn’t an option and brush and roll applications are the only choice. Both versions can be top-coated to add color or sheen and to seal the surface from wind and moisture.
Regardless of where these two outstanding products are applied, there is never an issue with the material when application instructions are followed. When we hear from an applicator that they are experiencing a problem with the product, it is almost always determined that it was caused by poor preparation or application.
We hope you find this first video explaining how to safeguard your applicator, prepare the paint, and the type of equipment we recommend informative. Other videos in this series will soon be available that cover related subjects.
Contego International started 20 years ago in a small family restaurant in Indiana and now draws in talent from around the globe. Contego’s intumescent products are sold worldwide and are applied to many types of surfaces, including steel, wood, aluminum, drywall, foam insulation, and concrete. For more information, please explore the rest of our website, request an information kit or contact us.
https://contegointernational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/contego-logo-redder.png00Lisa Schwartzhttps://contegointernational.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/contego-logo-redder.pngLisa Schwartz2020-08-07 12:53:262024-07-17 15:24:06Contego Preparation and Application Information
Are you in line with the global initiative to build and maintain a better, safer environment? Air Quality in the work environment – hospitals, schools, offices, commercial and residential buildings – is a big area of concern.
Clumpy, toxic cementatious coating
The WELL Standard* states“Pollutants generated indoors can lead to a variety of symptoms and health conditions. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion byproducts and airborne particulate matter are known to trigger nausea, headaches, asthma, respiratory irritation and allergies. While ambient outdoor air is often better quality, natural ventilation methods, operable doors and windows, and general building envelope infiltration can diminish indoor air quality if external air quality parameters are poor.”
READ THE MSDSof the Products being used on your project.When considering required fire protection, old technology such as Spray Fire Resistant Materials (SFRM) may not meet all or any of these acceptable conditions:
Formaldehyde levels less than 27 ppb.
Total volatile organic compounds less than 500 μg/m³.
Carbon monoxide less than 9 ppm.
PM₂.₅ less than 15 μg/m³.
PM₁₀ less than 50 μg/m³.
Ozone less than 51 ppb.
0Radon less than 0.148 Bq/L [4 pCi/L] in the lowest occupied level of the project.
Carbon monoxide levels less than 35 ppm.
PM₂.₅ less than 35 μg/m³.
Nitrogen dioxide less than 100 ppb.
Formaldehyde less than 81 ppb.
A recent report from Mount Sinai Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine Work Safely with Spray-on Fireproofing states:
Those who burn, prepare, grind, sift or sell [gypsum] are, as I have often observed, afflicted with great difficulty breathing… -Bernardino Ramazzini
Big changes in intumescent technology made “green” fire retardant paint possible. Contego intumescent changes fireproofing from the LEED nightmare associated with most fire protection products to a valuable LEED points generator.
You might know the history; environmentally friendly fireproofing was an oxymoron. Most fire retardant paint formulas were toxic, carcinogenic, and laced with high concentrations of VOCs. Those products are poisonous in the can and on the surface. This translates to very toxic in burn conditions.
HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Caution!
Causes eye irritation
Causes skin irritation
Causes severe respiratory tract irritation May cause risk of lung disease (i.e. silicosis and/or lung cancer)
Clean latex-based, non toxic intumescent coating
Do we really want to use this obsolete technology in our hospitals, schools, commercial & residential buildings?
Pressure treated fire resistant lumber (PTFR) is among the worst. According to USDA studies, the PTFR process is destructive to the lignins in the wood and would dissolve attachments, like screws and nails, unless they are stainless steel.
Then there are cellulosic and cementatious fireproofing materials. We’ve all seen them; they look like oatmeal when applied. The litigation list concerning these materials is lengthy and focused primarily on the constant deposition of tiny fibrils that get into the breathable air and are then inhaled straight into the lungs. Complaints in the majority of lawsuits have been centered on mesothelioma and other forms of cancer involving the respiratory system. In addition, when reading the MSDS of most intumescent coatings, the section on health risks contain clear warnings of both acute and chronic brain damage and damage to the central nervous system. Not exactly environmentally friendly.
The reason for these unhealthy toxic problems is simple. The components that make various fireproofing technologies work— whether cellulosic spray-on materials, cementatious products, mastics or intumescents—are inherently unhealthy.
This was one of the big drivers when Contego began designing cutting edge solutions for the green market niche. The challenge was to find alternatives that performed as well or, in most cases, better than what was already out there, without the risks from the past formulations. This research led to our current formulation of ZERO VOCs (ASTM D4017) and ZERO TOXINS (BSS 7239-88).
Contego meets all the Benchmarks for LEED certification, Living Building Challenge, WELL Standard and Google Red List Material Standard.
GREEN isn’t the only advantage of Contego Fire Barrier Intumescent Latex. It applies at a fraction of the thickness (and weight) needed for a latex intumescent in the past. It’s finish is as smooth as paper, pure white in color and is formulated to accept any topcoat.
That’s why we at Contego say…”White is the new Green”. Air Quality in SFRM fireproofing materials are a PROBLEM, Contego’s IFRM fireproofing is the SOLUTION! Get more information here.
*The WELL Building Standard is administered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™), a public benefit corporation whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment.
Are you concerned about the future of projects where cementitious or cellulosic fireproofing has been applied? You should be.
An interesting set of recommendations and precautions has been offered by Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York (link to download at end below). In addition to Mt. Sinai, other major medical entities worldwide are identifying the fireproofing materials that many refer to as “oatmeal” as a probable source of various pulmonary disorders.
This is because these types of fireproofing materials are highly friable. Grab a section and pull it off. It typically isn’t hard to do. Note all of the fine particulate that breaks off with the section. When you consider how much of that “oatmeal” material gets shed into the breathable air, it’s no surprise that medical problems could ensue.
The good news is the human body is resilient. However, concerns were originally raised in a study from 1988 by the USDOC and NIST regarding SFRMs (Spray-On Fire Resistant Materials) containing asbestos and others that didn’t. It also discusses both SFRMs and insulation materials, so it should be clear that each product has to be evaluated on its own merits (or risks).
That same particulate is in the air as you can see by how much of it settles out on every surface in a structure. Once you breathe it in, it going to be in your body forever and potentially the source for a wide range of medical problems like COPD and mesothelioma. These and other diseases can cause respiratory impairment or even fatalities.
Perhaps that’s why many materials require everyone to leave the premises except the applicator. Then the applicator has to wear the “space suit” when working with those materials. This also causes massive scheduling delays and costs. One major GC in Las Vegas who primarily does nothing but projects valued at $120M+ said delaying his project by a month costs him $10M that he can never recover. Even a two week delay is obviously a $5M ding.
Carefully think about the materials you specify and use. Ask for an MSDS or SDS and read them. If many people read the MSDS or SDS documents, a lot of these products would be history.
Use a latex based intumescent coating like Contego. It is zero VOC and offers the same or better protection as cementitious or cellulosic without the possible associated medical outcomes down the line.
Contego Preparation and Application Information
When applying Contego intumescent paint, following the preparation and application guidelines developed over twenty years in business is a must.
If your preparation and application processes are in line with our published guidelines, Contego Intumescent will safely protect your project. We have created a series of six videos to help train your team. This first video explains how to safeguard your applicator, prepare the paint, and the type of equipment we recommend for our intumescent coating.
Contego comes in two thickness formulations:
The High Solids version (HS) has a 70% solids content and can be applied 30 mils wet, drying down to 21 mils. This preparation requires fewer coats to achieve a specified dry film thickness. Although thicker wet film coats can be applied with HS, the finish is essentially just as smooth as our Original version. The Original formula dries to approximately 50 percent of the applied amount. Due to its formulation, when the Original version dries, it is a bit smoother than HS.
The zero VOC content of both formulations has been demonstrated by testing ASTM D 3960-05, “Standard Test Method for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and Related Coatings.” This makes Contego a safe coating for both the applicator and those who live within the structures protected by Contego.
The difference between HS and Original is that HS has less water and more thixotropy. Otherwise, comparison of the FTIR spectraflouriscopic “signature” of each version show they are chemically identical, so both offer the same class-leading fire protection.
HS is generally used on large projects, especially on structural steel columns and beams. These structures are often not visible when the project is completed, but that aside Contego is generally thinner, lighter, and less expensive than any other intumescent coating available. Plus, applying HS makes the job go faster because it requires less product and spraying. The Original version is usually used when spraying isn’t an option and brush and roll applications are the only choice. Both versions can be top-coated to add color or sheen and to seal the surface from wind and moisture.
Regardless of where these two outstanding products are applied, there is never an issue with the material when application instructions are followed. When we hear from an applicator that they are experiencing a problem with the product, it is almost always determined that it was caused by poor preparation or application.
We hope you find this first video explaining how to safeguard your applicator, prepare the paint, and the type of equipment we recommend informative. Other videos in this series will soon be available that cover related subjects.
Contego International started 20 years ago in a small family restaurant in Indiana and now draws in talent from around the globe. Contego’s intumescent products are sold worldwide and are applied to many types of surfaces, including steel, wood, aluminum, drywall, foam insulation, and concrete. For more information, please explore the rest of our website, request an information kit or contact us.
Better Buildings = Healthier Workplace
Are you in line with the global initiative to build and maintain a better, safer environment? Air Quality in the work environment – hospitals, schools, offices, commercial and residential buildings – is a big area of concern.
Clumpy, toxic cementatious coating
The WELL Standard* states “Pollutants generated indoors can lead to a variety of symptoms and health conditions. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion byproducts and airborne particulate matter are known to trigger nausea, headaches, asthma, respiratory irritation and allergies. While ambient outdoor air is often better quality, natural ventilation methods, operable doors and windows, and general building envelope infiltration can diminish indoor air quality if external air quality parameters are poor.”
READ THE MSDS of the Products being used on your project. When considering required fire protection, old technology such as Spray Fire Resistant Materials (SFRM) may not meet all or any of these acceptable conditions:
A recent report from Mount Sinai Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine Work Safely with Spray-on Fireproofing states:
Those who burn, prepare, grind, sift or sell [gypsum] are, as I have often observed, afflicted with great difficulty breathing…
-Bernardino Ramazzini
Big changes in intumescent technology made “green” fire retardant paint possible. Contego intumescent changes fireproofing from the LEED nightmare associated with most fire protection products to a valuable LEED points generator.
You might know the history; environmentally friendly fireproofing was an oxymoron. Most fire retardant paint formulas were toxic, carcinogenic, and laced with high concentrations of VOCs. Those products are poisonous in the can and on the surface. This translates to very toxic in burn conditions.
HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Caution!
Causes eye irritation
Causes skin irritation
Causes severe respiratory tract irritation
May cause risk of lung disease (i.e. silicosis and/or lung cancer)
Clean latex-based, non toxic intumescent coating
Do we really want to use this obsolete technology in our hospitals, schools, commercial & residential buildings?
Pressure treated fire resistant lumber (PTFR) is among the worst. According to USDA studies, the PTFR process is destructive to the lignins in the wood and would dissolve attachments, like screws and nails, unless they are stainless steel.
Then there are cellulosic and cementatious fireproofing materials. We’ve all seen them; they look like oatmeal when applied. The litigation list concerning these materials is lengthy and focused primarily on the constant deposition of tiny fibrils that get into the breathable air and are then inhaled straight into the lungs. Complaints in the majority of lawsuits have been centered on mesothelioma and other forms of cancer involving the respiratory system. In addition, when reading the MSDS of most intumescent coatings, the section on health risks contain clear warnings of both acute and chronic brain damage and damage to the central nervous system. Not exactly environmentally friendly.
The reason for these unhealthy toxic problems is simple. The components that make various fireproofing technologies work— whether cellulosic spray-on materials, cementatious products, mastics or intumescents—are inherently unhealthy.
This was one of the big drivers when Contego began designing cutting edge solutions for the green market niche. The challenge was to find alternatives that performed as well or, in most cases, better than what was already out there, without the risks from the past formulations. This research led to our current formulation of ZERO VOCs (ASTM D4017) and ZERO TOXINS (BSS 7239-88).
Contego meets all the Benchmarks for LEED certification, Living Building Challenge, WELL Standard and Google Red List Material Standard.
GREEN isn’t the only advantage of Contego Fire Barrier Intumescent Latex. It applies at a fraction of the thickness (and weight) needed for a latex intumescent in the past. It’s finish is as smooth as paper, pure white in color and is formulated to accept any topcoat.
That’s why we at Contego say…”White is the new Green”. Air Quality in SFRM fireproofing materials are a PROBLEM, Contego’s IFRM fireproofing is the SOLUTION! Get more information here.
*The WELL Building Standard is administered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™), a public benefit corporation whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment.
The Next Asbestos Debacle?
An interesting set of recommendations and precautions has been offered by Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York (link to download at end below). In addition to Mt. Sinai, other major medical entities worldwide are identifying the fireproofing materials that many refer to as “oatmeal” as a probable source of various pulmonary disorders.
This is because these types of fireproofing materials are highly friable. Grab a section and pull it off. It typically isn’t hard to do. Note all of the fine particulate that breaks off with the section. When you consider how much of that “oatmeal” material gets shed into the breathable air, it’s no surprise that medical problems could ensue.
The good news is the human body is resilient. However, concerns were originally raised in a study from 1988 by the USDOC and NIST regarding SFRMs (Spray-On Fire Resistant Materials) containing asbestos and others that didn’t. It also discusses both SFRMs and insulation materials, so it should be clear that each product has to be evaluated on its own merits (or risks).
That same particulate is in the air as you can see by how much of it settles out on every surface in a structure.
Once you breathe it in, it going to be in your body forever and potentially the source for a wide range of medical problems like COPD and mesothelioma. These and other diseases can cause respiratory impairment or even fatalities.
Perhaps that’s why many materials require everyone to leave the premises except the applicator. Then the applicator has to wear the “space suit” when working with those materials. This also causes massive scheduling delays and costs. One major GC in Las Vegas who primarily does nothing but projects valued at $120M+ said delaying his project by a month costs him $10M that he can never recover. Even a two week delay is obviously a $5M ding.
Carefully think about the materials you specify and use. Ask for an MSDS or SDS and read them. If many people read the MSDS or SDS documents, a lot of these products would be history.
Use a latex based intumescent coating like Contego. It is zero VOC and offers the same or better protection as cementitious or cellulosic without the possible associated medical outcomes down the line.
(You can download the Mt. Sinai recommendations here.)