Fire safety is one of the important
factors to be considered in contemporary construction particularly about
buildings constructed using steel. Steel can be very strong and durable yet at
high temperatures it can easily lose its load bearing capacity. Vermiculite-based
fireproofing is one of the best passive fire protection systems used to date.
Coating thickness is a must to promote safety, compliance, and durability.
The reason of applying Vermiculite
Coating to the steel structures
The reason why these systems are so
popular is the use of vermiculite coating steel structures which makes
it light weight, non-combustible, and has the ability of enduring extreme
temperatures. Vermiculite on exposure to fire swells up and encloses the steel
with an insulating layer, which reduces the transmission of heat and postpones
the structural failure. This delay will offer valuable time for evacuation and
fighting the fire.
The other benefit is that the
vermiculite coating materials create insignificant dead loads to the building
and offer great resistance to fire. This makes them suitable for new
construction as well as retrofit projects whereby the extra weight must be reduced.
Fire Resistant Coating of Vermiculite:
Recommended Thickness.
The thickness of a coating of
vermiculite needed to spray steel application is dependent on several factors.
These are the fire resistance ratings that is required (usually an hour, two
hours or three hours), size and shape of the steel member, and section factor
(Hp/A ratio). Different thicknesses of a coating are to be applied to Beams,
columns and hollow sections as surface area and heat absorption are different. Vermiculite
spray coating steel applications are commonly specified in commercial and
industrial projects requiring reliable fire resistance.
To achieve 1 hour fire resistance
ratings of a coating thickness of vermiculite, the thickness of the vermiculite
coating would be between 10 and 15 mm. In the case of two hours rating, the
thickness is normally raised to 20 mm up to 25 mm. The fire resistance
requirement of three hours might require 30 mm or more depending on the test
results and the design conditions. The values must be always validated by
manufacturer specification, fire test certification and local building codes.
Considerations on Thermal Insulation
and Applications
Besides acting as a fire protection
agent, vermiculite is also a thermal insulation coating steel structure solution.
It lowers the transfer of heat when exposed to fire and can also be used to
regulate temperature changes in industrial settings. This bi-functional nature
has made vermiculite coatings popular in power plants, refineries, warehouses
and high-rise buildings.
Performance requires proper application. Even thickness and good adhesion are made possible by surface preparation, proper mixing and controlled spraying. When workmanship is poor, it may crack or delaminate causing fire resistance to be compromised. The quality control should include regular inspection and thickness validation.
Selecting the appropriate thickness of
the coating of vermiculite is crucial in attaining credible fire resistant and
thermal insulated steelwork. Vermiculite coatings are durable and offer better
safety with design, specification, and application. It is essential to consult
skilled fire protection engineering professionals and certified manufacturers
to guarantee compliance and the best performance.
