Protecting people, property & structures from fire.
KBZ Fire Services applies intumescent fire paint to structural steel and timber, and carries out fire stopping, compartmentation and fire door works for contractors, developers and building owners.
Applied like paint, the coating is thin enough to keep the steel's clean profile on show.
What is intumescent paint?
Intumescent paint, often called fire paint, is a fire-resistant coating that looks like an ordinary paint finish day to day. When it is exposed to the heat of a fire, it swells up many times its original thickness and forms a thick, insulating layer of char around the material underneath.
A thin coat, like paint
The coating is sprayed, brushed or rolled on to a thickness set by the manufacturer for each steel section and the fire rating required.
Heat triggers a reaction
As temperatures rise in a fire, a chemical reaction inside the coating releases gases that make it expand into a foam.
Char insulates the structure
The expanded char slows the transfer of heat into the steel, helping it keep its strength for the specified fire-resistance period.
What it's for
Structural steel doesn't burn, but it loses strength quickly as it heats up. In a fire, unprotected steel can weaken to the point where beams and columns bend or fail.
Intumescent paint buys time. It keeps the structure standing for long enough for people to get out safely and for the fire service to do their job, and helps buildings meet the fire-resistance requirements of the Building Regulations.
- Structural steelBeams, columns, trusses and portal frames
- Exposed architectural steelWhere the steel is part of the design
- TimberUpgrading the fire performance of wood surfaces
- Mezzanines & loft conversionsNew steelwork in commercial and residential jobs
- Warehouses & industrial unitsLarge frames coated efficiently on site
- RefurbishmentsProtecting existing steel during a change of use
Why specify fire paint?
Compared with boarding or concrete encasement, intumescent coatings protect steel without bulking it out, hiding it or adding much weight.
Slim, clean finish
Keeps the shape and detail of the steel visible, so exposed steelwork can stay a design feature.
Any colour
A decorative topcoat goes over the fire protection, so the finish can match the building.
No lost floor space
Adds only millimetres to the steel, so rooms, walkways and ceiling heights aren't compromised.
Lightweight
Adds very little load to the structure compared with boards, blockwork or concrete casing.
Handles complex shapes
Follows connections, bolts and awkward sections that are difficult to box in neatly.
Measurable & certifiable
Film thickness is checked with gauges and recorded, giving clear evidence of what was installed.
| Type | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water-based thin-film | Internal steel in dry, heated environments | Low odour, well suited to occupied buildings and refurbishments |
| Solvent-based thin-film | Internal steel, and some semi-exposed conditions | Tolerates cooler and more humid conditions during application |
| Epoxy (thick-film) | External, industrial and high-durability areas | Hard-wearing and resistant to moisture and impact |
Fire services across the whole building
From coating a single steel beam to protecting compartments across a full development, KBZ Fire Services handles the passive fire protection your project needs.
Intumescent coatings
Fire paint to steel, timber and other surfaces
- Intumescent paint to structural steel30 to 120 minute protection for beams, columns and frames
- Epoxy intumescent coatingsFor external, industrial and high-wear steelwork
- Fire-retardant coatings for timberUpgrading the fire performance of wood surfaces
- Surface preparation & primingCleaning, abrading and compatible primers before coating
- Decorative topcoatsSealer coats and colour finishes over fire protection
- Remedial & overcoating worksRepairing damaged coatings or bringing old ones up to spec
Fire stopping & compartmentation
Keeping fire and smoke where it starts
- Penetration sealsPipe collars, wraps, batts and sealants around services
- Linear joint & gap sealsHead-of-wall and movement joints in fire-rated construction
- Cavity barriersClosing concealed voids in walls, floors and roofs
- Fire-rated boardingBoard encasement of steel, ducts and service risers
- Fire-rated partitions & ceilingsBuilding and upgrading compartment walls and ceilings
- Compartmentation remedialsFixing breaches found in surveys and fire risk assessments
Fire doors
The first line of defence in any building
- Fire door supply & installationComplete doorsets and frames fitted to certification
- Fire door inspectionsChecks on gaps, seals, closers, hinges and signage
- Repairs & maintenanceAdjustments, intumescent strips, smoke seals and ironmongery
- Fire door upgradesImproving existing doors where they fall short
Surveys, testing & handover
Evidence of what's installed, and that it's right
- Site surveys & quotationsAssessing the steel, substrates and access before pricing
- Existing coating assessmentsIdentifying what's on site and whether it's adequate
- Dry film thickness (DFT) testingGauge readings against the manufacturer's specification
- Photo records & documentationHandover packs for O&M manuals and building records
Can't see what you need? Email us the details and we'll let you know how we can help.
From enquiry to handover
Enquiry
Send us drawings, photos or a description of the job by email or WhatsApp.
Survey & quote
We confirm the steel sections, fire rating, access and conditions, then send a clear, free quote.
Specification
Coating thicknesses are calculated for each section so the protection matches the required rating.
Application
Surfaces are prepared and primed, then coatings and fire stopping are installed and checked as we go.
Handover
You receive thickness readings, photos and records of the completed works.
London &
the South East
Who we work with
- Main contractors
- Property developers
- Building owners
- Facilities managers
- Commercial & industrial units
- Residential & mixed-use
Common questions
How thick does intumescent paint need to be?
It depends on the size and shape of each steel section and the fire-resistance period required. The coating manufacturer's data sets the dry film thickness for every member, and we measure it once applied.
Can fire paint be used outside?
Yes, with the right system. External and high-humidity areas typically need an epoxy intumescent or a coating system approved for those conditions, plus a suitable sealer coat.
Will it change how the steel looks?
Very little. Thin-film coatings keep the profile of the steel and are finished with a decorative topcoat in the colour you choose.
Is the quote really free?
Yes. Send us the details of your project and we'll come back with a quote at no cost and no obligation.
Protecting a project?
Let's talk.
Covering London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and the wider South East. Tell us about the building, the steelwork or the fire protection you need, and we'll get back to you with a free quote.
London & the South East