Summary
International Fire Resistant Systems, Inc. produces an Intumescent paint coating, called Firefree 88, that is capable of providing a fire resistant barrier on a variety of substrates, including gypsum board, oriented strand board and other wood products, and composite architectural panels. Firefree 88 is a nontoxic, water based latex fire resistant coating with proprietary fibers. Ff 88 contains a synthetic component consisting of specially milled refractory ceramic fiber which, when heated, expands and reflects heat away from the structure, forming a protective blanket. The product’s ease of application and excellent adhesion properties make the fire resistant coating extremely versatile in conjunction with new and retrofit construction. Firefree 88 has the lowest levels of VOC’s (33g/L) of the majority of paint products, standard or Intumescent, on the market. The product is completely nontoxic after it dries and when it is exposed to flame. The product can be sprayed, rolled, or brushed on. A 25 mil (dry) on ½” type X gypsum wallboard provides a one hour fire rating. Firefree can be used to fire rate lumber, upgrade a firewall, correct a defective firewall, achieve a thermal barrier, replace additional layers of sheetrock, protect urethane foam, protect fiberglass, protect ceiling assemblies, and upgrade concrete assemblies.
On October 17, 2000, on the anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco, the Honorable Mayor Willie Brown invited International Fire Resistant Systems, Inc. to demonstrate how their Intumescent paint product, Firefree 88®, could prevent the spread of fire during an earthquake when fire-fighting efforts might well be hampered or delayed.
Application to PATH Roadmaps
The Intumescent coating could be used with both new and existing housing systems to improve the fire resistance of the structure. Firefree 88 can be used to:
Fire rate lumber
Upgrade a fire wall
Correct a defective fire wall
Achieve a thermal barrier
Replace additional layers of sheet rock
Protect urethane foam
Protect fiberglass
Upgrade ceiling assemblies
Upgrade concrete assemblies
One application is multi-family construction where the coating could be used to improve fire resistance of common walls. The primary application of the coating to the PATH roadmaps has to do with durability of housing systems. It could also enhance the constructability of homes, one of the top priorities from PATH Roadmapping by reducing the number of steps required to make a house fire-safe. Enhancing the fire safety of existing buildings that are not up to current fire codes could be achieved through minimal occupant disruption.
One application is multi-family construction where the coating could be used to improve fire resistance of common walls. The primary application of the coating to the PATH roadmaps has to do with durability of housing systems. It could also enhance the constructability of homes, one of the top priorities from PATH Roadmapping by reducing the number of steps required to make a house fire-safe. Enhancing the fire safety of existing buildings that are not up to current fire codes could be achieved through minimal occupant disruption.
Current Status of Technology
The technology has not found significant penetration yet in the residential building industry. Applications in warehouses, commercial buildings, and public and institutional buildings are more common. Cost effective applications of the technology have been shown in such buildings as nursing homes that need one hour fire wall upgrades between living units and the application of Ff 88 does not require displacement of occupants. The coating has been used to protect some single-family homes in high risk fire areas, but the coating needs a thorough urethane paint coating to protect it from moisture. R&D; is underway to develop an exterior-based product.
Contact Information
International Fire Resistant Systems, Inc.
580 Irwin Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 459-6488
Fax: (415) 459-6055
info@firefree.com
www.firefree.com
