Advanced fire protection that expands up to 100 times its thickness to shield your structures when it matters most

Intumescent fireproofing delivers reliable passive fire protection by forming a thick insulating barrier exactly when your building needs it—during a fire. These specialized intumescent coatings remain thin and unobtrusive under normal conditions, then expand dramatically when exposed to high temperatures, creating a carbonaceous char layer that slows heat transfer and maintains structural integrity for critical evacuation time.

Our intumescent fire resistive materials provide certified protection for structural steel, wood, concrete, and other substrates while preserving the architectural vision of your project. When fire strikes, these protective coatings buy the time that saves lives.

Why You Should Consider Our Intumescent Fireproofing

• Proven Fire Protection – Third-party tested and certified to ASTM E119 and UL 263 standards with fire ratings up to 2 hours on structural steel assemblies

• Cost-Effective Application – Thin-film technology requires less material than cementitious coatings, reducing both material and labor costs while achieving the required thickness for your fire rating

• Aesthetic Flexibility – Delivers a smoother finish that can be topcoated or painted, maintaining architectural beauty without bulky coverings on exposed steel

• Multi-Substrate Compatibility – One solution that protects steel, wood, drywall, concrete, aluminum, and polyurethane substrates with proper approved primer material

• Global Standards Compliance – Meets NFPA, ISO, UL, and international fire codes for confident specification on commercial and industrial construction projects

What Makes Our Intumescent Coatings Different

Most fireproofing solutions force a compromise—either accept bulky cementitious coatings that obscure your design, or risk inadequate thermal protection. Traditional spray-applied materials can crack, sag, or erode over time, and many products lack comprehensive testing across different substrates.

Our intumescent fireproofing is built differently:

• Dual-Formulation Technology – Original Formula RFB and High Solids RFB variants let you match the intumescent product to specific project requirements, whether you need water based low VOC formulations for indoor environments or high-solids options for structural steel

• Comprehensive Testing Program – Full-scale, third-party verified performance data on real structural assemblies, not just laboratory samples—our testing shows 50 mils on W8×31 columns exceeding 1-hour performance, with heavier beams at 74 mils lasting significantly longer

• Application Support – Detailed guides, technical support, and contractor training ensure your on site application matches laboratory performance

• Substrate Versatility – A single solution system that addresses multiple building materials, simplifying specification and reducing coordination challenges

How Intumescent Fireproofing Works

1. Heat Activation (350-400°F) When fire temperatures reach the activation threshold, the intumescent coating undergoes a precise chemical reaction. The acid source decomposes, releasing compounds that catalyze the transformation process.

2. Expansion Process The intumescent materials swell dramatically—up to 100 times the original thickness in some formulations. Blowing agents release non-flammable gases that foam the softened material, while char formers create the protective carbonaceous char layer.

3. Thermal Barrier Creation The expanded char forms a low-density insulating barrier that dramatically slows heat transfer to the protected substrate. This keeps structural steel below critical failure temperatures (approximately 1,000°F), maintaining structural integrity and preventing collapse during the rated protection period.

Product Specifications

Application can be completed on site or applied off site depending on project requirements. The application process typically requires multiple layers to achieve the required thickness for your specified fire rating.

Who Our Intumescent Fireproofing Is For

Architects and Specifiers Designing fire-safe buildings without sacrificing aesthetics. Our intumescent paint delivers the protection required by code while maintaining exposed steel as an architectural feature. Access CAD details, test data, and submittal documentation on the Architect Resources page.

General Contractors and Specialized Coating Applicators Looking for fireproof coatings that apply efficiently and meet inspection requirements. Comprehensive documentation and application support ensure projects pass fire marshal review. View our project case studies to see Contego on real commercial and industrial builds.

Fireproofing Contractors Ready to add intumescent coating to your service offering? Explore the Certified Applicator Program to get trained and listed as an approved Contego applicator.

Code Officials Ensuring compliance with fire safety standards. Clear certification documentation and third-party testing make verification straightforward.

If your project involves commercial or industrial construction where fire protection is required, our intumescent fireproofing delivers certified performance with aesthetic flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does intumescent fireproofing last? Properly applied intumescent coatings provide decades of protection when maintained appropriately. Interior applications in controlled indoor environments require minimal maintenance. Exterior applications may need periodic inspection and potential recoating due to exposure to moisture, UV, and temperature cycling. We recommend regular visual inspections to ensure coating integrity.

Can it be applied to multiple substrate types? Yes. Our intumescent fire resistive materials protect structural steel, wood, drywall, concrete, aluminum, and polyurethane substrates. Each substrate requires appropriate surface preparation and compatible approved primer material to ensure adhesion and performance. Our technical team provides specific guidance for different types of substrates.

What certifications do your coatings have? Our coatings carry ASTM E119, UL 263, and ULC-S101 certifications for structural fire resistance. Additionally, our products meet ASTM E84 requirements for flame spread and smoke development (Class A), and select formulations comply with UL 1709 for hydrocarbon fire exposure and NFPA 285 for wall assembly testing.

Do you provide application support? Yes. We offer comprehensive technical support including detailed application guides, specification assistance, and contractor training. Our team helps ensure your on site application achieves the quality required for certified performance.

How does cost compare to traditional fireproofing? While intumescent coatings typically have higher material costs per gallon than cementitious coatings, total installed costs are often competitive or lower. Benefits include reduced material volume (thin film vs. thick film applications), faster application process, less cleanup, and the ability to maintain exposed architectural steel without additional covering—factors that can significantly reduce overall project costs.

What's the difference between fire retardant and fire resistive coatings? This distinction matters for structural protection. Fire retardant coatings delay ignition and reduce flame spread but don't provide rated protection against structural failure. Fire resistive intumescent coatings—like ours—are tested to ASTM E119 standards and provide certified protection that maintains structural integrity under fire conditions for the rated duration.

Ready to Protect Your Project?

Stop compromising between fire protection and design flexibility. Our intumescent fireproofing solutions deliver certified performance backed by comprehensive third-party testing, expert technical support, and proven field results.

Choose proven protection for your structure:

• Certified fire ratings up to 2 hours

• Multi-substrate compatibility

• Aesthetic flexibility for exposed applications

• Complete technical support from specification through inspection

Contact Our Team | Request Product Data Sheets | Get a Quote

Secure specification. Certified performance. Expert support.

For further questions about how our intumescent coatings can meet your project requirements, our technical team is ready to help you make an informed decision.