Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society Fireproofing Project in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society fireproofing in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi: Ibtikar applied Phoenix 370-90 Intumescent Paints to 35,000 m² of structural steel, achieving a 120-minute fire rating. Completed December 2022.

Project Type Intumescent Paints

LocationKEZAD

Area35,000 m²

Fire Rating120-minute

MaterialPhoenix 370-90

CompletionDecember 2022

Project Overview

The Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society fireproofing project is located in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, UAE, where Ibtikar delivered professional structural steel fireproofing and passive fire protection solutions for ADCOOP. Covering approximately 35,000 m² of steelwork, the project was completed in December 2022 using Intumescent Paints with Phoenix 370-90, spray-applied to provide reliable protection in accordance with the specified 120-minute 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 Defence 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.

Client:ADCOOP
Location: KEZAD
Project Date: December 2022
Project Type:Intumescent Paints
Surface Area: 35,000 m²
Fire Rating: 120-minute
Application Method: Spray Fireproofing

Fireproofing Scope & Application

  • Structural Steel Protection

    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.

  • Intumescent Coating Application

    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.

  • Quality Control & Inspection

    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.

Fire Protection System

A layered coating system builds up fire resistance on the steel substrate. Products and film thicknesses are project-specific — see the technical documents below.

  1. Layer 01

    Steel substrate

    Prepared structural steel, cleaned and profiled to the specified surface standard prior to coating.

  2. Layer 02

    Primer

    A compatible primer system protects the substrate and provides adhesion for the intumescent coating. Thickness per specification.

  3. Layer 03

    Intumescent coating

    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.

  4. Layer 04

    Topcoat

    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.

Project Execution

  1. Stage 01

    Surface preparation

    • Steel surfaces cleaned and prepared to the standard the coating system requires
    • Preparation signed off before any coating is applied, so the system bonds correctly
  2. Stage 02

    Primer inspection

    • Primer film thickness and coverage checked across the steelwork
    • Intumescent application only proceeds once the primer passes
  3. Stage 03

    Intumescent application

    • Applied in controlled passes to build up the specified dry film thickness
    • Spray, brush or roller to suit the product and the site conditions
  4. Stage 04

    DFT inspection and handover

    • Dry film thickness measured at multiple points on each member and recorded against the project specification
    • Final joint inspection on completion, with documentation compiled and issued for handover and close-out

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.

Project Results

35,000 m²Protected Area

120-minuteRequired Fire Rating

Intumescent Paints Coating System

CompletedProject Status

Approved 100%Inspection Status

Project Gallery

Fire Proofing Material

Phoenix™ 370-90 | 120-Min Water-Based Intumescent Coating

BS 476 Certified Passive Fire Protection for Structural Steelwork. High-build single-coat application up to 1050 µm DFT.

Fire Resistance Rating Up to 120 Minutes (Cellulosic)
Volume Solids 75% ± 3% (ASTM D2697)
Density / Specific Gravity 1.40 kg/L
Max Dry Film Thickness (DFT) 1050 µm per coat (airless spray)
Max Wet Film Thickness (WFT) 1400 µm (1250 µm sag tolerance)
VOC Content 0.19 g/L (0.13 g/kg by weight)
Application Method Airless Spray or Brush (325 µm/coat)
Pack Size & Storage 20 Liter Units (Protect from Frost)

Source: Phoenix 370-90 Technical Data Sheet, tested to BS 476: Part 20 & 21: 1987.

Substrate Preparation

  • Steel Preparation: Surfaces must be clean, dry and free from surface contaminants — oil, grease, rust, mill scale or loose material.
  • Substrate Restrictions: Not recommended for direct application over galvanized steel or zinc-rich primers without consultation.

Primer Systems

  • A fire-tested primer range is available for use under Phoenix 370-90. Consult Phoenix Fire Protection for the approved primer and DFT range for your specific substrate before specifying.

Airless Spray Application Setup

  • Operating Pressure: Minimum 175 kg/cm² (2500 psi)
  • Tip Size: 17 to 23 thou (0.017"–0.023")
  • Fluid Line: Minimum 3/8" ID for hose runs exceeding 10 feet
  • Also suitable for brush application at reduced film build.

Recoat Guidance

Max Coats / 24 Hours 2 Coats (Airless Spray)

Specific touch-dry and recoat times were not published in the current TDS — confirm exact figures with Phoenix Fire Protection before publishing, or replace this panel once you have the updated sheet.

Third-Party Certifications & Compliance

  • Tested and assessed in accordance with BS 476: Parts 20 & 21: 1987 for structural steel hollow and I-sections.
  • Formulated to meet ASFP/BCF Industry Guidance Document criteria.

Technical Documents

Point these four links at your own hosted PDFs — I couldn't find a Phoenix 370-90 TDS hosted on ibtikar-uae.com to link automatically (only on your Saudi site), so left it as a placeholder rather than linking to another entity's file.

Why Choose Ibtikar

  • UAE project experience

    A track record of fireproofing delivered across the UAE's industrial, commercial and infrastructure sectors.

  • Specialised fireproofing expertise

    Dedicated focus on passive fire protection and intumescent coating systems for structural steel.

  • Professional quality control

    Documented dry film thickness inspection and quality checks at every stage, issued as a signed inspection report.

  • Technical and project support

    Technical guidance from specification and system selection through to inspection, handover and authority submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

This project used a Phoenix 370-90 intumescent coating system, specified to deliver a 120-minute fire-resistance rating on exposed 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.

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.

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.

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.

Planning a Fireproofing Project in the UAE?

Talk to our technical team about structural steel fire protection, intumescent coatings and passive fire protection requirements.