Intumescent paint is specialist work. The product expands under fire to insulate structural steel and buy time for evacuation; if it isn't applied to the manufacturer's specified dry film thickness, it doesn't perform — and the certifier won't sign off on the build. The cost of getting it wrong is reapplying the product or, worse, a non-compliant building handover.
We hold the training and the wet-film/dry-film testing equipment to apply intumescent systems from the major Australian-supplied product lines (Promat, Nullifire, Jotun, Hempel) to the spec the certifier requires. Every application records the substrate temperature, ambient conditions, batch numbers, and per-element DFT readings. The handover pack includes those records and the certificate of conformance — exactly what your fire engineer or building certifier needs.
What's included
- Pre-application substrate inspection
- Surface prep to manufacturer spec
- Compatible primer and topcoat
- Wet-film and dry-film thickness testing
- Per-element DFT records
- Ambient condition logging
- Manufacturer compliance pack
- Handover certificate of conformance
- Coordination with fire engineer
Common questions about intumescent coatings
What is intumescent paint and why does it matter?
Intumescent paint is a fire-rated coating applied to structural steel. Under fire it swells dramatically (often 50× its dry thickness) and forms an insulating char layer that slows the steel's temperature rise. The Building Code of Australia mandates a fire-resistance level (FRL) for steel members in many buildings; intumescent paint is one accepted way to meet that FRL. If it's required for your build, your fire engineer or certifier will have specified it.
Why does dry-film thickness (DFT) matter so much?
Because the fire-resistance rating is engineered around a specific DFT for a given steel section. Apply less than spec and the rating doesn't hold; apply much more and you waste product or risk poor adhesion. We log per-element DFT during application using a calibrated gauge, and the records go in the handover pack so the certifier can verify compliance without re-testing.
Do you handle the topcoat as well?
Yes. Intumescent paint is functional, not decorative — most products are off-white. Where the steel will be visible we apply a compatible topcoat (specified by the intumescent manufacturer to maintain fire performance) in the colour the architect or interior designer has chosen. The topcoat goes on after the intumescent has fully cured and been DFT-tested.
Can intumescent paint be applied on-site or only in a workshop?
Both. Workshop application is generally faster and cleaner — the steel arrives on site already coated. On-site application is needed for tie-in welds, retrofits, and elements that can't be coated before erection. We do both; the program in the quote will tell you which approach we're taking and why.
What products do you work with?
We work with the main intumescent systems supplied into Australia — Promat, Nullifire, Jotun, Hempel, and a few others depending on what your fire engineer has specified. The product is normally chosen by the engineer to match the FRL and exposure category; we apply whatever they've spec'd, not whatever we have on the shelf.
Do you provide the compliance documentation a certifier needs?
Yes — that's most of why intumescent jobs cost what they do. Every application records substrate conditions, ambient conditions, product batch numbers, and per-element DFT readings, and the handover includes the manufacturer's certificate of conformance plus our application record. Your certifier should be able to sign off the FRL component without needing additional inspections.
What if my fire engineer wants something tested before signoff?
We coordinate. If the engineer wants random DFT testing, third-party inspection, or sample destructive testing on a coupon, we set that up at the program stage so it doesn't hold up handover. The cost goes on the quote. We've worked with most of the Brisbane consulting fire engineers and know how each of them likes the verification handled.
Is this work warranted?
The product warranty comes from the manufacturer (typically 10–25 years for the fire performance, subject to environmental conditions). Our application warranty is 12 months for adhesion and finish defects. The two together — manufacturer product cover plus our application cover — is what the certifier and the long-term owner are looking for.