Difference between revisions of "Intumescent Materials"

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'''Intumescent''' means tumour forming. What on earth would you want one of those for in [[Special:Allpages|DIY]]?
 
'''Intumescent''' means tumour forming. What on earth would you want one of those for in [[Special:Allpages|DIY]]?
  
'''Intumescent Materials''' are used for [[:Category:Fire|fire]] protection. On exposure to [[:Category:Fire|fire]], the items swell up to form a [[:Category:Fire|fire]] and smoke resisting foam that will block [[:Category:Fire|fire]] spread for anything upto an hour.
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'''Intumescent Materials''' are used for [[:Category:Fire|fire]] protection. On exposure to fire, the items swell up to form a fire and smoke resisting foam that blocks fire spread for anything upto an hour.
  
  
 
==Intumescent Products==
 
==Intumescent Products==
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Intumesent products generally contain melamine as the blowing agent, ie its the melamine that expands when hot.
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===Door seals===
 
===Door seals===
These are strips that go into grooves routed into the sides and top of a door. These are a common sight in large buildings.
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These are strips that go into grooves routed into the sides and top of a [[door]]. These are a common sight in large buildings.
  
 
They prevent [[:Category:Fire|fire]] spread from room to corridor, or vice versa, and protect occupants in other rooms from the smoke, which can be toxic.
 
They prevent [[:Category:Fire|fire]] spread from room to corridor, or vice versa, and protect occupants in other rooms from the smoke, which can be toxic.
  
===[[Halogen Lighting|Downlighter]] hoods===
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===Downlighter hoods===
These hoods sit on [[Halogen Lighting|downlighters]] fitted in ceilings. These fittings penetrate the plaster [[:Category:Fire|fire]] & smoke barrier, and the intumescent hood restores this layer of protection.
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These hoods sit on [[Halogen Lighting|downlighters]] fitted in ceilings. Downlighters penetrate the [[Category:Plastering|plaster]] fire & smoke barrier, and the intumescent hood restores this layer of protection. In a [[:Category:Fire|fire]] the hood swells and blocks the hole.
  
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DIYers have been known to use clay flowerpots as a [[cheap]]er (non-intumescent) alternative.
  
===[[Paint]]===
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Its now more popular to use lights with built in hoods. These are heatsinked, reducing [[heat]] build up.
Flammable surfaces in need of [[:Category:Fire|fire]] protection where no visible bulk would be acceptable can be painted with intuescent paint. It isnt cheap.
 
  
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===Paint===
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Flammable surfaces in need of [[:Category:Fire|fire]] protection where no visible bulk would be acceptable can be painted with intumescent [[paint]]. It isn't cheap.
  
 
===Varnish===
 
===Varnish===
 
[[:Category:Wood|Woodwork]] can be painted with clear intumescent [[Paint|varnish]] to create an invisible [[:Category:Fire|fire]] barrier.
 
[[:Category:Wood|Woodwork]] can be painted with clear intumescent [[Paint|varnish]] to create an invisible [[:Category:Fire|fire]] barrier.
  
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===Sealant===
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May be used to add fire resistance where [[material]]s are joined.
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===Putty===
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Non setting intumescent [[Putty & Mastic|putty]] fills gaps where [[Plumbing|pipes]] pass through walls. It allows pipe movement, and can be removed and reused if ever necessary.
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==Other options==
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Sometimes there are cheaper alternatives.
  
==See Also==
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===Oak===
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intumescent Wikipedia]
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Oak is [[fire]] resistant, in a fire it forms a layer of fire resistant char, delaying consumption. This feature is occasionally made use of in building design, and is the reason oak was preferred for [[electric]]al wiring accessory [[Pattress|backing plates]] long ago.
  
[[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]
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===Masonry===
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Brick & [[tile]] can also be used to create a fire barrier.
  
[[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]
 
  
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==See Also==
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intumescent Wikipedia]
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* [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]
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* [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]
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* [http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsessionid=3X50YLOBACW4UCSTHZOSFEY?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=intumescent Several Intumescent products]
  
  
 
[[Category:Fire]]
 
[[Category:Fire]]
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[[Category:Materials]]
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[[Category:Paint]]
 
[[Category:Safety]]
 
[[Category:Safety]]

Latest revision as of 01:25, 5 December 2014

Intumescent means tumour forming. What on earth would you want one of those for in DIY?

Intumescent Materials are used for fire protection. On exposure to fire, the items swell up to form a fire and smoke resisting foam that blocks fire spread for anything upto an hour.


Intumescent Products

Intumesent products generally contain melamine as the blowing agent, ie its the melamine that expands when hot.

Door seals

These are strips that go into grooves routed into the sides and top of a door. These are a common sight in large buildings.

They prevent fire spread from room to corridor, or vice versa, and protect occupants in other rooms from the smoke, which can be toxic.

Downlighter hoods

These hoods sit on downlighters fitted in ceilings. Downlighters penetrate the fire & smoke barrier, and the intumescent hood restores this layer of protection. In a fire the hood swells and blocks the hole.

DIYers have been known to use clay flowerpots as a cheaper (non-intumescent) alternative.

Its now more popular to use lights with built in hoods. These are heatsinked, reducing heat build up.

Paint

Flammable surfaces in need of fire protection where no visible bulk would be acceptable can be painted with intumescent paint. It isn't cheap.

Varnish

Woodwork can be painted with clear intumescent varnish to create an invisible fire barrier.

Sealant

May be used to add fire resistance where materials are joined.

Putty

Non setting intumescent putty fills gaps where pipes pass through walls. It allows pipe movement, and can be removed and reused if ever necessary.


Other options

Sometimes there are cheaper alternatives.

Oak

Oak is fire resistant, in a fire it forms a layer of fire resistant char, delaying consumption. This feature is occasionally made use of in building design, and is the reason oak was preferred for electrical wiring accessory backing plates long ago.

Masonry

Brick & tile can also be used to create a fire barrier.


See Also