Epoxy Intumescent Coating for Hydrocarbon and Jet Fire
Two-component epoxy intumescent for offshore, petrochemical and process steel — tested against hydrocarbon and jet fire, up to four hours, applied by our certified crews.
Approved
Approved by UAE Civil Defense and trusted by contractors
Mechanism
What it is and how it works
Cementitious fireproofing is a cement- or gypsum-based mortar sprayed onto structural steel. Unlike intumescent paint it does not react or expand — it protects by sheer thickness and very low thermal conductivity, holding the steel below the temperature at which it starts to lose strength.
- Up to 4 hoursHydrocarbon fire resistance
- 1,100 °C in 5 minThe curve it is built for
- 100 % solidsTwo-component, no solvent
What it is
- A two-component epoxy, not a paint Base and hardener mixed at the gun and applied by heated plural-component spray. Typically 100 % solids, built in millimetres rather than microns.
- Built for hydrocarbon fire Thin-film intumescent is tested against the cellulosic curve, where temperature climbs gradually. A hydrocarbon fire reaches around 1,100 °C within five minutes. Epoxy systems are tested for that.
- Fire and corrosion in one system The epoxy binder is itself a barrier coating, so the same layer that provides fire protection also protects the steel offshore, in splash zones and in process environments.
- Mesh-reinforced where jet fire applies Carbon-fibre mesh is embedded where the tested design calls for it, so the char resists the erosive force of a high-velocity flame instead of being blown off.
How it works
- Cured epoxy barrier Before any fire, the coating is doing corrosion work — a hard, chemically resistant film bonded to the steel.
- Heat activation Under fire the intumescent component reacts and the film begins to swell.
- Char formation It expands into a dense carbonaceous char — far more robust than a thin-film char, because it starts from a far thicker film.
- Mesh anchorage Where fitted, the reinforcing mesh holds that char in place against jet fire velocities.
- Insulation The char keeps the section below its critical temperature for the rated period — up to four hours on hydrocarbon-tested systems.
Specification
Fire ratings and coating thickness
| Fire rating | Typically required in | Relative applied thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 60minutes | Warehouses and single-storey industrial frames | Lowest |
| 90minutes | Multi-storey commercial buildings and car parks | Moderate |
| 120minutes | High-rise cores, hospitals and schools | High |
| 180minutes | Transfer structures and plant rooms | Very high |
| 240minutes | Petrochemical and engineered process structures | Maximum |
Thickness shown is relative, not a specification. Applied thickness is set by the section factor of each member and the critical steel temperature, read from the certified thickness schedule of the tested system — fire ratings come from ASTM E119 / UL 263 or EN 13381-4, not from the bond-strength tests. Send us your steel schedule and we will return the thickness per member.
Range
Systems we apply
Intumescent Paint for Structural Steel
Thin-film coating that expands under heat to insulate steel and preserve its load-bearing strength, up to 120 minutes of fire resistance.
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Cementitious Fireproofing for Steel Structures
Durable spray-applied protection designed for columns, beams and heavy structural steel sections.
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Cable Protective Coating for Electrical Systems
Fire-resistant barrier for cable trays that stops flame spread and keeps critical circuits running during an emergency.
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Wood Fire Retardant for Timber Structures
Chemical treatment that slows combustion and preserves wood's natural look, with up to 60 minutes of added fire resistance.
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Solvent Intumescent Coating
Fast-curing, solvent-based intumescent system suited for exposed steel and demanding project timelines.
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Epoxy Intumescent Coating
High-build epoxy intumescent system built for offshore, marine and heavy-duty industrial environments.
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Fabric Fire-Retardant Treatment
Chemical treatment for curtains, upholstery and soft furnishings to meet fire safety codes in commercial fit-outs.
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Fire Proofing Materials
Certified fireproofing paints, mortars and accessories supplied and applied to spec for steel, cable and timber protection projects.
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On site
How we apply it
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Step 01
Surface preparation
- Steel clean and dry, mill scale and loose rust removed
- Primer must be one the system has been tested with
- Bonding agent or metal lath where the tested design calls for it
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Step 02
Mixing
- Wet-mix or dry-mix according to the system
- Water ratio controlled — over-watering cuts density and bond strength
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Step 03
Spray application
- Pump-applied in successive passes to build the specified thickness
- Corners, cleats and connections worked by hand
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Step 04
Thickness and density
- Thickness measured to ASTM E605 across each member
- Density and bond verified against the tested design
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Step 05
Curing and protection
- Protected from rain, frost and impact while curing
- Any damage repaired before handover and inspection
Each stage carries a hold point — work does not proceed until the previous stage is signed off. Thickness and density are recorded member by member and issued as an inspection report for Civil Defense submission.
Applications
Where Cementitious Coating is used
Intumescent coatings are used as passive fire protection on structural elements — steel, timber and concrete — to delay structural collapse and hold escape routes open during a fire.
Cementitious fireproofing is the system of choice wherever structural steel needs a high fire rating and physical durability, and the finish will not be on show.
Structures and surfaces
- Structural steel Beams, columns, bracing and connections carrying load in commercial and industrial frames.
- Metal decking and soffits Composite floor soffits and profiled decking protected from below.
- Concrete elements Reinforced concrete where the cover to the rebar needs supplementing.
- Transfer structures Heavy transfer beams and trusses, where long durations are specified.
Industries and buildings
- Industrial and process plant Refineries, power stations and manufacturing facilities needing 180 to 240 minutes.
- Commercial buildings Concealed steel above ceilings, in risers and in plant rooms of offices and hotels.
- Infrastructure Tunnels, car parks and transit structures, where durability matters as much as the rating.
Portfolio
Recent fireproofing work
A record of steel protected, inspections passed, and deadlines met across the Emirates.
Why us
Why contractors specify Ibtikar
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Certified applicators
Manufacturer-trained crews using our own spray equipment. The people on your site are ours, not subcontracted labour.
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UAE and GCC
Offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain — plus a Saudi operation, so we mobilise across the region without travel loading the price.
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Approvals already in place
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Civil Defence, plus ADNOC, CMW, PGC and Tawazun. See our approvals
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Documented handover
Dry film thickness recorded member by member, issued with material certificates and test reports, ready for authority submission.
Can intumescent paint be used outdoors?
- Yes, but it requires a protective topcoat to withstand weathering.
Is intumescent paint eco-friendly?
- Water-based intumescent paints are low in VOCs and environmentally friendly.
What is intumescent paint, and how does it work?
- Intumescent paint is a fire-resistant coating that swells when exposed to high temperatures, forming an insulating char layer that protects the underlying material from fire. It is commonly used on structural steel to maintain its integrity during a fire.
Where can intumescent paints be applied?
- Intumescent paints are used on structural steel, wood, and other substrates in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings to provide fire protection.
What are the advantages of intumescent paints over other fire protection methods?
- Intumescent paints are lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and provide long-lasting fire protection without adding significant bulk to structures.
Latest Projects
Abu Dhabi Food HubJanuary 3, 2026 - 7:55 am- AWR Distribution CenterJanuary 2, 2026 - 7:56 pm
- TECOM Investments WarehouseJanuary 1, 2026 - 9:37 am
