Abu Dhabi Food Hub Fireproofing KEZAD Area B, Abu Dhabi: Ibtikar applied Nullifire SC804 Intumescent Coating across 83,810 m² of structural steel to achieve a 120-minutes fire rating, completed in January 2026.
Project Type Intumescent Coating
LocationKEZAD Area B, Abu Dhabi
Area83,810 m²
Fire Rating120-minutes
MaterialNullifire SC804
CompletionJanuary 2026
The Abu Dhabi Food Hub is an Intumescent Coating and Cementitious Coating project located in KEZAD Area B, Abu Dhabi, UAE, where Ibtikar delivered professional structural steel fireproofing and passive fire protection solutions for Abu Dhabi Food Hub. Covering approximately 83,810 m² of steelwork, the project was completed in January 2026 using Nullifire SC804 and Southwest Type 5GP via airless spray fireproofing, selected to provide reliable protection in accordance with the specified 120-minutes fire-resistance requirement.
Ibtikar’s scope included the application of the fireproofing system to primary and secondary structural steel members such as columns, beams, connections, and other critical steelwork. Our team strictly managed surface preparation, primer compatibility, coating application, and dry film thickness (DFT) verification at every stage. All fireproofing activities were executed in accordance with approved project requirements, manufacturer recommendations, and applicable UAE passive fire protection and Civil Defense requirements.
Through controlled application and systematic quality inspections, Ibtikar delivered a durable, fully compliant, and properly documented fireproofing system engineered to preserve the structural integrity of the building during fire exposure.
Explore more Ibtikar projects or contact our team to learn about our structural steel fireproofing, intumescent coating, and passive fire protection services across the UAE and GCC.
Primary and secondary structural steel members — columns, beams and connections — are protected against fire exposure to maintain load-bearing capacity for the required fire-resistance period, in line with the project's passive fire protection strategy.
A reactive intumescent coating system is applied to prepared steel surfaces. Under fire exposure, the coating expands to form an insulating char layer that slows the rate of heat transfer to the substrate, delaying loss of structural strength.
Dry film thickness (DFT) is measured throughout application against the specified coating build-up. Each stage is documented with inspection records, culminating in a final walk-through and sign-off prior to handover.
A layered coating system builds up fire resistance on the steel substrate. Products and film thicknesses are project-specific — see the technical documents below.
Prepared structural steel, cleaned and profiled to the specified surface standard prior to coating.
A compatible primer system protects the substrate and provides adhesion for the intumescent coating. Thickness per specification.
The reactive fireproofing coating, applied to the dry film thickness specified for the project's required fire-resistance rating, from 60 up to 120 minutes. Under fire exposure it expands to form an insulating char layer.
A protective topcoat is applied where specified, for UV resistance, weathering or a decorative finish.
Each layer depends on the one beneath it — primer adhesion determines how well the intumescent coating bonds to the steel, and the specified dry film thickness is what delivers the certified fire-resistance rating. Products and film thicknesses are project-specific: always confirm against the data sheets and the approved project specification before application.
Surface preparation and primer sign-off come first for a reason — an intumescent coating applied over contaminated or incorrectly primed steel can fail to adhere, and that is found out long after the steel has been closed in. The DFT records are the evidence: the fire-resistance rating is only as good as the film thickness actually achieved on each member, which is why the readings are taken point by point and kept with the handover file.
83,810 m²Protected Area
120-minutesRequired Fire Rating
Intumescent Coating Coating System
CompletedProject Status
Approved 100%Inspection Status
Fire Proofing Material
BS 476 & Certifire CF5929 Certified Passive Fire Protection for Structural Steelwork. High-build formulation optimized for 90-minute fire resistance, with a limited 120-minute option available.
Source: Nullifire SC804 Technical Data Sheet (Tremco CPG). Rating is optimised for 90 minutes — the 120-minute figure is a limited option, not the primary rating. No single max-DFT figure is published, so coverage is shown at its theoretical reference thickness instead.
Recommended overcoat time is 16 hours. Drying times also vary by temperature (e.g. 1.0mm WFT takes 6h at 10°C, 3h at 30°C) — the figures above are the 20°C reference column.
All four links are placeholders — point them at your own hosted files once confirmed.
Fire Proofing Material
Fast-Drying Two-Component Coating for Direct-to-Metal Application in C1–C3 Environments. Outstanding UV and Gloss Retention for Long-Term Exterior Performance.
Sources: Carboline regional product page (environment, UV/gloss) and the Carbothane 137HS Part A Safety Data Sheet already hosted on your own site (VOC content). Carboline's official TDS PDF is blocked to automated access (robots.txt) — I could not pull volume solids, DFT or pack size from it. If you can download it from your Carboline rep or account, send it over and I'll fill in the rest with real numbers instead of leaving them blank.
Specific tack-free, recoat and full-cure times were not published in the sources I could access for this product — Carboline's official data sheet is blocked to automated fetching. Confirm with Carboline or your TDS copy before publishing exact hours.
The Part A SDS link above is already live on your own site. The other three are placeholders — point them at your hosted TDS / Part B SDS / certificate once confirmed.
Fire Proofing Material
Up to 4-Hour Fire Protection Across 100+ UL Designs. Lightweight spray-applied formula with a rapid 15–20 minute recoat option using Accelerator A-20.
Source: Southwest Type 5GP Product Data Sheet (Carboline/Southwest Fireproofing). Type 5GP is the general-purpose grade of the Type 5 family, formulated as a lower-density, standard-purpose alternative to Type 5MD.
The Accelerator A-20 option is a distinguishing feature of Type 5GP for fast-turnaround schedules. Figures are at 77°F (25°C) — confirm with Southwest/Carboline for other site conditions.
All four links are placeholders — point them at your own hosted files once confirmed.
A track record of fireproofing delivered across the UAE's industrial, commercial and infrastructure sectors.
Dedicated focus on passive fire protection and intumescent coating systems for structural steel.
Documented dry film thickness inspection and quality checks at every stage, issued as a signed inspection report.
Technical guidance from specification and system selection through to inspection, handover and authority submission.
What type of fireproofing was used on this project?
This project used a Nullifire SC804 intumescent coating system, specified to deliver a 120-minutes fire-resistance rating on exposed structural steel.
How is intumescent coating applied to structural steel?
Steel is first cleaned and primed, then the intumescent coating is applied in controlled passes — by spray, brush or roller depending on the product and site conditions — to build up the specified dry film thickness.
How is the required fire-resistance rating determined?
The required rating is set by the project’s fire strategy and applicable building regulations, based on factors such as building use, height and occupancy. This determines the fire-resistance period the steelwork must achieve.
How is dry film thickness (DFT) inspected?
DFT is measured using a calibrated gauge at multiple points across each member and recorded against the thickness specified for the required fire rating, with results documented for inspection.
What factors affect intumescent coating thickness?
Coating thickness depends on the steel member’s section factor (Hp/A), the required fire-resistance period, and the specific product’s certified performance data.
