FAQs
1. How long have fire retardant coatings been around?
In the early 1950’s, flame retardants first appeared offering a new level of protection from fires. While they were not able to arrest fires, they were effective in slowing the development giving additional time to evacuate and more time to react to a fire. These first generation coatings were expensive, difficult to apply and foul smelling. Virtually all early flame-retardants were formaldehyde-based, extremely toxic, and carcinogenic.
2. What is an “intumescent” fire retardant coating?
Work began in the mid-1980’s to perfect a new genre of coatings called intumescent reactants. The term “intumescent reactant” (IR) generally defines a type of coating that expands when exposed to high temperatures or direct flame, forming a “char barrier” several inches thick. This results in an effective and durable barrier that either cuts off the fuel source a fire needs to develop or creates an insulating blanket to retard heat rise in structural steel.
3. If intumescents have been available for 20 years, why am I just now hearing about them?
Until recently, most intumescents met with only limited success because they had obvious deficiencies and limitations. Traditionally, intumescents have been thick, gummy, foul smelling, toxic, carcinogenic, ugly, and expensive. They have required exotic preparations like two-part epoxy primers and couldn’t be top coated – or you had to buy the manufacturer’s specially formulated top coat. They had limited shelf life and some had to be periodically reapplied, which, of course, is impossible. For example, some products that claimed to be non-toxic and non-carcinogenic still used formaldehyde and other toxic substances. Other products did not bond well to surfaces, and other coatings, like paint, did not bond well to them. The defects in the formula caused them to produce a fragile char barrier that was easily compromised. Once compromised, fire could undermine the rest of the intumescent layer, rendering it useless. That was then – Contego is now.
4. Where have intumescents traditionally been used?
In spite of their shortcomings, intumescents have played a valuable role in high fire risk situations such as oil refineries, offshore oilrigs, tankers, and large chemical manufacturing facilities. Due to their shortcomings, most previous intumescents had to be applied with a trowel or specialty sprayer and required a highly trained operator. In addition, they had to be applied in a thick layer (150 to 200 mils) to achieve acceptable protection. Today, with dramatic improvements in the state of the art, intumescents are in high demand for virtually any substrate in any design.
5. What’s the difference between Contego and other intumescent coatings?
The differences are many and they are important. With just under ten years on the market, Contego has been around long enough to be a proven product, but young enough to take advantage of significant advances in polymer technology that simply didn’t exist when other products were formulated. Contego applies like regular paint. No special tools are required. You can use a brush, roller, or standard sprayer. It smells, feels, and applies like high-quality latex paint. It has a broad range of applications since the polymer base allows it to bond tightly to many different substrates. It is non-carcinogenic and non-dermatic. It’s completely safe for use around children and pets. It has a pleasant scent, with no solvents or VOC’s. For most combustible substrates, two coats (14 to 20 mils dry) give as much protection as 150-200 mils of the old-fashioned intumescents. Last but not least, it’s very economical to use.
6. What kind of substrates can Contego be used on?
Contego has been proven effective on a wide array of substrates such as structural steel, wood (both dimensional lumber and manufactured woods like OSB, MDF, Plywood, etc), and drywall, spray polyurethane foam, aluminum, and more. It should not be applied on Styrofoam or EPS since that material is liquid fuel at less than 200 degrees and Contego, like ALL intumescents, reacts at about 360 degrees.
7. Why does steel need to be protected from fire?
The application for structural steel and architectural metals, such as the skeleton of a building or the steel trusses in a roofing system, is extremely important. Although steel obviously does not burn when exposed to fire, it loses its structural integrity and collapses once the core temperature reaches prescribed limits, causing the structure to collapse as in the World Trade Center or the McCormick Place fire in 1969. Contego products reflect heat, reducing the risk of structural collapse.
8. What colors are available?
Contego comes in white only, but can be tinted or top coated. It is, however, a very attractive color and can be used as the finish for ceilings. Unlike like other intumescents, Contego doesn’t have a blotchy appearance and doesn’t discolor over time.
9. What if I want to add a tint to the primer?
Due to the high solids content of Contego, it does not react to color tinting like normal latex. The most you can add is 5% by volume. At most, you will be able to get a light pastel shade when tinting. However, since it can be top coated, there’s no reason to tint it unless you are using tint to help identify layers between coats. See Questions 10 and 11.
10. Do I need to use a top coat with Contego?
When used for general purpose interior a topcoat is not required unless specific color is needed. For exterior or unconditioned space a topcoat is always required.
11. What kind of top coat is recommended?
See approved topcoat list in “Downloads” page.
12. How long does the primer continue to protect?
It will last as long as the primer adheres to the substrate and is not damaged or penetrated. (Please see next question.)
13. Have your products been tested and approved?
Please see our Test Page. Contego is the only manufacturer that uses triple redundant quality control testing using UL, MAS, and MAGI. Each run’s independent spectrofluoroscopic analysis of our “Chemical signature” to ensure that each and every batch is identical. It also shows that our shelf life has no identifiable limits at this point.
14. Is the Contego product UL tested?
While we include UL-263 and UL-CS101 as two of the nine different standards to which we test every piece of steel (as noted in the prologue of our tests), we do not use Underwriters’ Laboratories as the primary laboratory for testing purposes because: UL is not the basis for any building code. Building authorities and UL, as well as others, meet regularly to assure that UL’s standards are complementary, but the actual basis for building code is typically ASTM. Contego can be found at UL.com as a classified product. It is critical, however, that testing be performed to code-based standards and that the laboratories be established, accredited, audited, and certified. Our partner labs are the most respected and recognized in the world and enjoy international acceptance.
15. Who uses Contego?
Some of the companies and institutions that use Contego include Federal Express, Boeing, General Dynamics, Department of Defense, almost every leading hotel chain, Sherwin Williams, resorts, theme parks, casinos, hospitals, churches, schools, universities, correctional facilities, major airports, municipalities, assisted living centers and nursing homes, telephone companies, fireproofing specialists, food processing centers, distribution warehouses, banks, restaurants, leading architects, general contractors, and paint contractors. 72% of our business is repeat purchasing from these industry leaders. More satisfied users are listed under CUSTOMERS on our website.
16. Does Contego protect against fires caused by accelerants such as gas, oil, diesel fuel, etc.?
Contego products have not been tested in hydrocarbon fires scenarios. All ASTM E-119/UL263 testing is in accordance to cellulosic fire conditions.
17. Do you guarantee this won’t burn?
Everything will eventually burn – even granite become lava given enough heat and time. Contego is designed to provide the best possible margin of safety by creating a tough char barrier between fire and the fuel it needs to keep going or, in the case of structural steel, it effectively insulates the substrate to delay any increase in the core temperature, which eventually leads to a critical loss of structural integrity.
18. Is this in any way harmful, allergenic, carcinogenic, or toxic?
No. Contego has no harmful side effects and releases no toxins even when exposed to fire. This is one of the advantages of our products compared to fire retardants of the past. Contego has no solvents and no VOC’s.
19. Will the Contego product freeze?
It certainly can, and that could ruin the product, so it should be handled accordingly.
20. Will, or do, any insurance companies give a discount on premiums if this is applied to a building?
Several major underwriters are considering offering reduced rates to owners of buildings protected with Contego Firebarrier Intumescent Latex. We will post this on the website as soon as we have been informed.
21. Can an existing surface be treated with this product?
Yes. It’s important, however, that the surface being treated is completely clean, dry, and free from dirt, debris or oil residue.
22. Do you need a license or permit to apply this product?
No. Again, Contego behaves just like any high-quality latex paint. Contego does offer a Certified Applicator Program for those who wish to learn more about the product and application methods.
23. Do I need any special equipment to apply this product?
No. Any airless spray gun with 2,400 psi and a .25 tip will do. You can also use a brush, roller, or mitt.
24. Are there any critical storage issues?
Although the Contego product contains no toxins, carcinogens or VOC’s, dispose of any unused portion in an environmentally safe way according to local codes for paint disposal. Do not apply when temperature is below 0° Celsius (32°F). Do not allow contents to freeze. Do not store the product in temperatures above 120F degrees. Remember that product sitting in the sun will get hotter than the ambient temperature.
25. How is the product packaged?
Standard container is a 5 gallon (18.9L) metal pail. Diameter is 13 inches (33cm); Height is 14inches (35.5cm); Weight is 58.5 Lbs (26.5 K); Empty pail weighs 3 lbs (1.5k): Net weight per gallon 11.1 Lbs (5.03k). Product is also available in 55-gallon steel drums.
26. Do you ship overseas?
Yes. All prices are ex-factory with CIF quotes on request. The Uniform Customs Code UCC is 3209.10.000
