Fire safety is a crucial aspect of modern construction, and intumescent products play a vital role in passive fire protection. These specialised materials react to heat by expanding and forming an insulating char, slowing the spread of fire and helping to protect the structural integrity of buildings.
From intumescent paints to fire-rated door seals, the right fire protection products can mean the difference between minor damage and catastrophic loss. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 intumescent products, their key applications, and how they help to meet UK fire safety regulations.
1. Intumescent Paint for Structural Steel
What It Does:
Intumescent paint is applied to steel beams, columns, and supports to prevent them from reaching critical failure temperatures in a fire. The paint expands when exposed to heat, forming a protective char layer that slows down heat transfer. Without this protection, steel can lose 50% of its strength at 550°C, leading to structural failure.
Why It’s Important:
- Protects load-bearing steel structures from fire-induced collapse.
- Extends fire resistance from 30 minutes to up to 120 minutes.
- Essential for compliance with BS 476-20 and EN 13381-8 fire resistance standards.
Where It’s Used:
Office buildings
Warehouses & industrial sites
Car parks & transport hubs
2. Intumescent Paint for Timber
What It Does:
Timber is highly flammable, but intumescent paint can help by reducing the rate at which it burns. When exposed to fire, the coating swells and chars, forming an insulating layer that slows down flame spread. It is a particularly important fire protection measure in heritage buildings, where timber structures need to be preserved while meeting modern safety regulations.
Why It’s Important:
- Provides up to 60 minutes of fire resistance.
- Protects exposed timber beams, floors, and walls.
- Meets BS EN 1364-1 for fire resistance in timber structures.
Where It’s Used:
Historic buildings
Hotels & restaurants
Timber-framed offices
3. Intumescent Fire Door Seals
What They Do:
Fire doors are a key element of fire compartmentation, and intumescent seals help prevent fire and smoke from spreading. These seals are fitted around the door frame and expand when heated to close off gaps. Properly installed fire doors with intumescent seals can contain fire for up to 60 minutes, preventing further spread.
Why They’re Important:
- Stops fire and toxic smoke from passing through doors.
- Can provide 30 to 60 minutes of fire resistance.
- Complies with BS 476-22 and BS EN 1634-1 fire door standards.
Where They’re Used:
Commercial buildings
Hospitals & care homes
Hotels & apartment blocks
4. Intumescent Pipe Collars
What They Do:
These are fire-stopping devices fitted around plastic or metal pipes where they pass through fire-rated walls and floors. When heated, the collar expands and crushes the pipe, sealing the opening. This prevents flames and smoke from spreading through openings in fire-rated walls.
Why They’re Important:
- Prevents fire and smoke from spreading through pipework.
- Provides up to 4 hours of fire resistance.
- Required under BS EN 1366-3 for pipe penetrations.
Where They’re Used:
Office buildings
Industrial plants
Apartment buildings
5. Intumescent Fire-Rated Ventilation Grilles
What They Do:
Ventilation is necessary in commercial buildings, but vents can also allow fire to spread. Fire-rated intumescent grilles seal off airflow openings when exposed to heat, preventing fire and smoke from travelling between rooms.
Why They’re Important:
- Allows normal airflow under normal conditions.
- Expands to block fire and smoke during a fire event.
- Complies with BS EN 1634-3 for fire-resistant ventilation.
Where They’re Used:
Hospitals & healthcare facilities
Offices & retail spaces
Factories & industrial settings
6. Intumescent Acrylic Sealant
What It Does:
Used to seal gaps and joints in fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, intumescent sealant expands in a fire to prevent flames and smoke from passing through openings. It is particularly effective for sealing around doors, window frames, and service penetrations.
Why It’s Important:
- Provides up to 4 hours of fire resistance.
- Used for door frames, partition walls, and cable penetrations.
- Complies with BS EN 1366-4 for fire-resistant joint sealing.
Where It’s Used:
Commercial fit-outs
Industrial buildings
Shopping centres
7. Intumescent Fire Pillows
What They Do:
Fire pillows are flexible fire-stopping products used to temporarily seal gaps in walls and floors. They expand in a fire to block the passage of flames and smoke, making them an ideal temporary or removable fire-stopping solution.
Why They’re Important:
- Can be removed and reused for maintenance access.
- Provides up to 2 hours of fire resistance.
- Complies with BS EN 1366-3.
Where They’re Used:
Electrical service penetrations
Data centres & IT rooms
Maintenance areas
8. Intumescent Cable Coatings
What They Do:
Electrical cables can contribute to fire spread, so intumescent cable coatings insulate them, preventing ignition and limiting fire propagation.
Why They’re Important:
- Reduces fire risk from electrical faults.
- Maintains electrical integrity during a fire.
- Complies with BS EN 1366-3 and IEC 60332-3.
Where They’re Used:
Data centres & IT rooms
Factories & power stations
Public transport hubs
9. Intumescent Fire-Rated Expansion Joints
What They Do:
Buildings naturally expand and contract, requiring flexible fire-rated expansion joints that allow movement while still blocking fire and smoke when needed.
Why They’re Important:
- Maintains fire compartmentation while allowing movement.
- Can provide up to 4 hours of fire resistance.
- Required under BS EN 1366-4.
Where They’re Used:
Multi-storey buildings
Bridges & infrastructure projects
Large commercial complexes
10. Intumescent Fireproof Sleeves
What They Do:
Fireproof sleeves are used to protect electrical conduits and cable bundles, preventing them from spreading fire throughout a building.
Why They’re Important:
- Prevents fire and smoke from travelling through cable routes.
- Provides up to 2 hours of fire resistance.
- Complies with BS EN 1366-3.
More Intumescent Products Available | Speak to an Expert
While these are some of the most commonly used intumescent products, many other specialist fire protection solutions exist. Choosing the right intumescent products depends on building design, fire safety regulations, and specific fire risks.
To ensure full compliance and effective fire protection, speak to a fire safety expert.
At Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultancy, we provide expert advice on fire protection and prevention measures. Contact us today to discuss your fire protection needs and ensure your property meets all UK fire safety standards.