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Contego Intumescent Latex is an Ideal Alternative to Drywall

Contego Thin-film Intumescent Latex is an ideal alternative to drywall as a fire barrier in situations where a decorative finish is not required.CONTEGO HAS PASSED THE CRITICAL UBC26-2 THERMAL BARRIER TEST WITH A 23 MINUTE RATING!

THIS QUALIFIES CONTEGO PASSIVE BARRIER THIN FILM LATEX FOR MOST NATIONAL CODES ON OSB INCLUDING HUD.

Contego Passive Fire Barrier Latex has passed the rigorous UBC 26- 2 Thermal Barrier Test at Omega Point Labs. The chosen substrate was 7/16 Oriented Strand Board. The test ran for 23 minutes to cover the standard requirement of 15 minutes as well as the more demanding 20 minute requirement for HUD applications.  Contego had zero flame and smoke spread rating and the temperature on the back of the test board never exceeded the critical 250 degree Fahrenheit benchmark.

Contego also passed the UBC 26-3 Corner Room Test (see below) with minimal smoke and Flame spread without flashover in the chamber. Backside temp did not exceed 175 degree F.

This battery of difficult and important tests, especially when combined with Contego’s NFPA 286 room burn and ASTM E84 burn data, qualifies Contego Thin-film Intumescent Latex as an ideal alternative to drywall as a fire barrier in situations where a decorative finish is not required. Contego applies and cleans up just like normal latex primer. A Contego barrier costs roughly 50% less than a drywall barrier.  Contego products are environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic. Contego PFB reduces the cost of using OSB as well as SIPs panels while offering superior fire protection.

Contego Passive Fire Barrier passes the rigorous UBC 26-3 Corner room burn test.

Contego International’s Passive Fire Barrier Latex was put to the ultimate test to see if it could protect Oriented Strand Board (OSB) from the ravages of fire. Contego met all requirements set out in the rigorous test protocol. The importance of this event cannot be underestimated as it qualifies this thin Film Intumescent for use on OSB as well as on Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), the fastest growing segment of the building industry. Currently, a layer of 1/2″ drywall over SIPs or OSB is required to meet most building codes. Based on the results of the UBC 26-3, Contego has been demonstrated to be an acceptable alternative to drywall over SIPs or OSB at a much lower cost per square foot.

Contego Latex Fire Barrier Intumescent Passes Critical NFPA Test

With the increased awareness and attention to the cause of fires and fire spread within structures the NFPA developed a new test measuring the contribution non fabric wall treatments make to the spread of fire from the room of origination to adjacent rooms. This is determined by measuring heat contribution and flame spread within an enclosed space over a 15 minute period. Contego’s Fire Barrier Intumescent Paint performed perfectly. This test ensures users that that Contego’s Thin Film Passive Barrier will not contribute to the spread of fire within a structure and indeed will reduce if not eliminate fire spread via any surface treated with Contego.

Contego Fire Retardant Paint – Better Than FR Lumber

Whenever there’s a project that specifies FR lumber (pressure treated fire retardant lumber) Contego fire retardant paint offers a profitable solution that will help contractors acquire that job.

Contego recently saved a hotel project in Nevada where the framing contractor used regular dimensional lumber on four stories of framing including the sheer wall. The building inspector noted that it should have been FR lumber and was NOT – so there was no certificate of occupancy until it was all torn down and replaced with FR lumber.

Contego to the rescue!

Our recommendation was to simply apply two coats of Contego to the existing wood.  Not only did it save them from a $1.2 million loss, it led to an entirely new standard that will displace FR for all of their designs in all markets and over all brands.  Here’s how Contego compares to FR and delivers HUGE advantages to the architect, general contractor, framing sub and property owner:

Our data on dimensional lumber FAR exceeds the stats for any FR lumber on the market. We have LOWER flame spread and smoke production (0x0) – FR lumber doesn’t come close.

We are neither toxic nor carcinogenic (read the MSDS on any FR product and you will find otherwise). Note that FR lumber manufacturers rarely if ever offer their MSDS online as we do.  Get some, read them and you’ll see why.  FR is so problematic that it’s often suggested that the scraps not be burned, although people often do.

Contego fire retardant paint offers far better thermal resistance.Using contego fire retardant paint on dimensional wood construction is a better idea than using FR lumber.

FR destroys the lectins in the wood causing massive loss of structural integrity in as little as 2 years. (See USDA studies – links below)

FR also dissolves whatever attachments you use – screws, nails, hangars, etc., unless they’re stainless steel. Think about that one. On the job, FR causes logistics problems because it is special order. If you run short, you’re in a bind. Dimensional lumber (and Contego) is readily available, making the project scalable.

Last, but certainly not least – our fire retardant paint on dimensional lumber plus the labor to apply it is considerably less expensive than FR lumber.  FR lumber is a weaker, inferior, less fire resistant assembly that eventually will fail. That’s why many leading hotel chains have changed their specifications away from FR wood to Contego on dimensional lumber.

Effects of Fire Retardant Treatments on Wood Strength

Predicting and Extending the Useful Service Life of FRT – Plywood Roof Sheathing

The Hazards of Fire Retardant (FRT) Wood

Effects of Fire-Retardant Treatment and Redrying on the Mechanical Properties of Douglas-Fir and Aspen Plywood

Original Formula Material Safety Data Sheet

High Solids Material Safety Data Sheet

Request an information kit for Contego Fire Retardant Paint

Are Intumescent Paints Toxic?

Smoking Building (no intumescent paint on this one) © Rukicc | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Smoking Building
© Rukicc | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Do you think all intumescent paints are created equal?  They are not.

A big part of the toxicity story goes back to when a particular fire retardant paint was formulated.  Not that long ago, the only way to formulate a fire retardant paint meant you had some very toxic components in it.  Not only are they toxic in a fire, but they also leak toxins in the air you breathe every day – especially in hot, humid environments.  Always read the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) carefully and always look to see if the MSDS was prepared independently or by the manufacturer.  If it hasn’t been independently prepared, don’t trust it.

It is also critical that the intumescent paint manufacturer supports VOC claims with third party independent certified laboratory tests for content (ASTM D 3960) as well as toxic gas generation (BSS7239-88). You can view what these test documents look like and see Contego’s results here.

To view the damaging results of toxic fire retardant paints you may want to view the HBO documentary “Toxic Hot Seat”, a searing expose on the use of chemical flame-retardants. You can watch this incredibly informative film here.