Scope of Works

Intumescent coating for ceiling upgrade to provide Class 0 or Class B-s1-d0 fire protective coating to 282sqm heritage timber ceiling. 

The work consists of internal spray application of a 3 coat system of clear primer and intumescent coatings. Applied at 125µm WTF (wet film thickness) per coat. 

WFT thicknesses are gathered using a WFT gauge to ensure each coating is applied to the the required standard. In addition, a scaffolding was supplied by the client to allow for a safe working environment for our Flamma operatives.

Specification

The 282m² timber chapel ceiling was coated using Envirograf® QVFR Clear system. This is to maintain the chapels historic aesthetic whilst providing modern fire protective measures.

It's designed to inhibit the spread of flames across the timber structure, reducing the speed at which timber chars. The product was applied by three fitters. Two working from the scaffolding to spray apply each coating and another one working at ground level, ensuring the paint levels were maintained. Each coating was carefully applied to the correct WFT (wet film thickness). 

The intumescent coating thickness is measured using a WFT gauge. This is to ensure the coating is being applied to the required standard in order to achieve Class 0 or Class B spread of flame. In this instance no topcoat was required to the upgrade of this timber ceiling because it is concealed away from any traffic or conditions which could disrupt the intumescent coating.

Products Used

ES/VFR/P Primer - A clear primer to prevent the intumescent coating from reacting to any untreated or treated surfaces or dust.

QVFR/C Clear Intumescent Coating - A clear intumescent coating for application to timber internally only. Provides class 0 or class B-s1-d0 spread of flame fire protection.

Application

First of all, the surfaces requiring coating are checked to ensure they are dust free and in the correct condition for application. Next we have to prepare the sprayer with primer before applying the first coat of the QVFR/C system. After that, spraying of the ES/VFR/P Primer can commence. Whilst one operative sprays the other maintains paint levels for the sprayer. At the same time a third operative takes the WFT thicknesses to ensure the operative spraying the coating is reaching the required thicknesses (this is maintained throughout the whole coating process).

Once the primer has been applied to the whole area the sprayer has to be cleaned/flushed with water. After the sprayer has been flushed, it's prepped again with the first intumescent coating (QVFR/C coat 1). This coating is applied at 125µm which is the recommended thickness for this system. In a like manner the second intumescent coating is applied to the timber ceiling in order to finalise the classification for surface spread of flame. This coating is applied again at 125µm. However, in comparison with QVFR/C coat 1, QVFR/C coat 2 contains the finish (matt/satin/gloss) as well as containing the second coating of intumescent protection to the substrate.

Finally the second coatings thicknesses are recorded. The sprayer is cleaned/flushed to prevent the intumescent coating from clogging up the pump/hose. Lastly the installation is reviewed by Flamma's on-site operatives with the presence of the client/architect to sign off on the works. Once signed off, all the required certifications are issued to the relevant person(s).