Fire Protective Paint Coating Survey

Specialist Fire Protective Coating Inspection

Fire protective coatings play a critical role in passive fire protection, particularly when applied to structural steel. Intumescent coatings are designed to react when exposed to high temperatures, forming an insulating layer that helps protect the underlying steel and delay structural failure during a fire.

At MWI Paint Inspection, our ICorr Level 2 fireproofing inspectors can provide specialist inspection and technical support for fire protective coating systems.

Our inspectors can assist with developing relevant coating systems from primer through to the final coat, while regular inspections help provide assurance that the specified products are being applied correctly and that the required coating thickness is achieved.

ICorr Level 2 Fireproofing Inspectors

Our ICorr Level 2 fireproofing inspectors provide specialist knowledge for projects involving fire protective and intumescent coating systems.

We understand that successful fire protection depends on more than simply applying a fire-resistant coating. The complete coating system, including the substrate, primer, intermediate layers and final coat, needs to be suitable for the intended application and applied in accordance with the relevant requirements.

Our inspection services can help verify that the specified coating system is being correctly installed and that key inspection requirements are being met.

Intumescent Coating Inspection

Intumescent coating inspection is an important part of quality assurance for structural fire protection.

The required dry film thickness (DFT) can vary depending on the structural member, required fire resistance period and project-specific requirements. Inspection of the finished coating therefore needs to verify that the specified thickness has been achieved.

Our inspectors can assess areas including:

  • Substrate condition
  • Surface preparation
  • Primer application
  • Compatibility between coating layers
  • Environmental conditions
  • Intumescent coating application
  • Dry film thickness (DFT)
  • Coating coverage
  • Coating defects
  • Final coat or topcoat
  • Compliance with project specifications
  • Manufacturer’s application requirements
  • Inspection records and reporting

Regular inspection throughout the application process can help identify issues before they become more difficult or costly to rectify.

Fireproofing Coating Systems From Primer to Final Coat

A fire protective coating system can consist of several components, each with an important role in achieving the required performance.

MWI’s ICorr Level 2 inspectors can assist with the development and inspection of relevant coating systems from primer to final coat.

Inspection can help establish that:

  1. The substrate is suitable for the specified coating system.
  2. Surface preparation meets the required standard.
  3. The specified primer has been correctly applied.
  4. The intumescent coating is compatible with the underlying system.
  5. The required intumescent coating thickness is achieved.
  6. The specified topcoat or finishing system is correctly applied.
  7. Coating defects are identified and addressed.
  8. Inspection results are properly recorded.

This structured approach helps provide quality assurance throughout the fire protective coating process.

Dry Film Thickness Testing

Dry Film Thickness (DFT) testing is a key element of intumescent coating inspection.

The thickness required for an intumescent coating is not necessarily the same across every structural member. It can depend on factors including the steel section, section factor, required fire resistance and the specified coating system.

For this reason, coating thickness needs to be assessed against the relevant project requirements rather than a single generic thickness value. Specialist inspection authorities similarly emphasise site-specific loading schedules and detailed DFT measurement.

Our inspectors can carry out coating thickness inspections to help establish whether the specified coating build has been achieved.

Why Regular Intumescent Coating Inspections Matter

Regular inspection provides an opportunity to identify coating problems during application rather than after the project has been completed.

Potential issues can include:

  • Insufficient coating thickness
  • Uneven application
  • Incomplete coverage
  • Coating damage
  • Surface contamination
  • Poor substrate preparation
  • Incorrect primer
  • Compatibility issues between coating layers
  • Application outside specified environmental conditions
  • Defects in the finished coating

Identifying these issues at the appropriate stage can allow corrective action to be taken before the coating system is completed.

Independent inspection and reporting can also provide useful evidence that the installed coating system has been assessed against the relevant project and manufacturer requirements.

Fire Protective Coating Inspection for New Builds

Intumescent coatings are widely used to protect structural steel in new construction projects.

Our fireproofing inspectors can support projects through different stages of the coating process, from specification and preparation through to application and final inspection.

Early involvement can be particularly valuable where a project requires a specific fire resistance period or a specialist coating system.

Our inspectors can work with project managers, structural steel contractors, fire protection contractors and other stakeholders to help ensure the inspection requirements are understood and implemented.

Intumescent Coating Inspection for Refurbishment Projects

Existing buildings can present additional challenges when inspecting or refurbishing fire protective coatings.

Existing intumescent coatings may have been damaged, deteriorated, covered by later finishes or affected by alterations to the building or structural steelwork.

A fireproofing coating survey can help establish the current condition of the existing system and identify areas requiring further investigation or remedial work.

Inspection can assess issues such as:

  • Coating deterioration
  • Damage to existing fire protection
  • Incomplete coverage
  • Coating thickness
  • Compatibility with new coatings
  • Areas affected by building alterations
  • Existing coating condition
  • Requirements for repair or additional coating

Intumescent coating inspections can therefore be valuable during refurbishment where existing passive fire protection may have been disturbed or altered.

Manufacturer’s Specification Compliance

Intumescent coatings are specialist products with specific requirements for preparation, application, environmental conditions, thickness and curing.

Our inspectors can assess coating application against the relevant manufacturer’s technical specification and project requirements.

This can include reviewing:

  • Product and coating system requirements
  • Surface preparation
  • Environmental conditions
  • Application procedures
  • Required coating thickness
  • Recoat intervals
  • Primer and topcoat compatibility
  • Final coating condition

Independent third-party inspection is widely used to assess installed specialist protective coatings against manufacturer specifications and applicable requirements.

Independent Fireproofing Inspection

An independent inspection provides an objective assessment of the installed fire protective coating system.

Our ICorr Level 2 fireproofing inspectors can provide inspection findings and reporting to support project quality assurance.

Independent inspection can be particularly useful where multiple parties are involved in the specification, application and approval of a fire protective coating system.

Our inspection approach focuses on providing clear, factual information about coating condition, thickness and compliance with the specified requirements.

Fire Protective Coating Inspection Services

MWI Paint Inspection can provide specialist inspection services for:

  • Fire protective coating inspection
  • Intumescent coating inspection
  • Intumescent paint inspection
  • Fireproofing inspection
  • Fireproof paint inspection
  • Structural steel fire protection inspection
  • Dry film thickness testing
  • DFT inspection
  • Primer inspection
  • Topcoat inspection
  • Coating system inspection
  • Fireproofing surveys
  • Intumescent coating condition surveys
  • Refurbishment coating surveys
  • Manufacturer specification compliance
  • Independent coating inspection
  • Fire protective coating reporting

Benefits of Professional Fire Protective Coating Inspection

Professional inspection can help provide assurance that:

The specified coating system is being used
Inspection can verify that the required coating system and associated components are being applied.

The substrate is appropriately prepared
Surface preparation is an important part of achieving reliable coating performance.

The required coating thickness is achieved
DFT inspection provides measurements that can be assessed against the project-specific requirements.

Coating defects are identified
Inspection can identify visible defects and areas requiring corrective action.

Application requirements are being followed
Inspection can assess application against project and manufacturer requirements.

Inspection records are maintained
Detailed records can provide useful evidence of the inspection and quality assurance process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an intumescent coating inspector?
An intumescent coating inspector assesses the application and condition of fire protective coating systems, including substrate preparation, coating application and dry film thickness.
Why is DFT important for intumescent coatings?
Dry film thickness is important because the required thickness is linked to the specified fire protection performance of the coating system. The required DFT can vary according to the structural member and project requirements.
Can you inspect the complete coating system?
Yes. Our ICorr Level 2 fireproofing inspectors can assist with inspection of the coating system from primer through to the final coat.
Do you inspect existing intumescent coatings?
Yes. Intumescent coating condition surveys can be used during refurbishment and maintenance projects to assess existing fire protection and identify deterioration, damage or areas requiring further investigation.
Can you check coating thickness?
Yes. DFT inspection is an important part of assessing whether the specified intumescent coating thickness has been achieved.
Why are regular inspections important?
Regular inspections can identify coating problems during application, allowing potential defects or insufficient thickness to be addressed before the project is completed.
Is intumescent paint required by Building Regulations?
Intumescent paint may be specified where structural steel requires fire protection to achieve the required period of fire resistance under UK Building Regulations.
What Building Regulations apply to intumescent paint?
In England, Approved Document B (Fire Safety) provides guidance on fire safety requirements, including maintaining structural stability during a fire.
How long does structural steel need fire protection?
The required fire resistance depends on the building's use, height, design and fire strategy. Common specifications include 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes of fire resistance.
How thick should intumescent paint be?
There is no single standard thickness. The required dry film thickness (DFT) depends on factors including the steel section, section factor, required fire resistance and chosen intumescent coating system.
Does intumescent paint need to be inspected?
Inspection is important for confirming that the specified coating system has been applied correctly and that the required dry film thickness has been achieved.
Can any intumescent paint be used on structural steel?
No. The coating system should be appropriate for the steelwork, required fire performance and environment, and should be installed in accordance with its tested or assessed specification and manufacturer's requirements.
Does the primer matter beneath intumescent paint?
Yes. The primer needs to be compatible with the specified intumescent coating system. Using an unsuitable primer can affect the performance of the complete system.
Does intumescent paint need a topcoat?
Not always. Whether a topcoat is required depends on the intumescent system, environmental exposure and manufacturer's specification.
Who should inspect intumescent coatings?
Inspection should be undertaken by a suitably competent inspector with appropriate knowledge and experience of fire protective and intumescent coating systems.
Can existing intumescent paint be inspected?
Yes. Existing coatings can be surveyed to assess their condition, thickness, damage and suitability, which can be particularly important during building refurbishment.
What happens if the intumescent coating is too thin?
Insufficient coating thickness may mean the system does not provide the specified fire protection. Areas below the required DFT may require remedial work in accordance with the coating specification.
How is intumescent paint thickness checked?
The dry film thickness (DFT) is measured using appropriate coating thickness testing equipment and assessed against the specified requirements for the structural steelwork.

Protect Structural Steel With Professional Fire Coating Inspection

Fire protective coatings are an important component of passive fire protection, but their effectiveness depends on the correct coating system being specified and properly applied.

MWI Paint Inspection’s ICorr Level 2 fireproofing inspectors can provide specialist inspection support from primer through to final coat, including assessment of coating condition and dry film thickness.

If you require intumescent coating inspection, fireproofing inspection, DFT testing or specialist fire protective coating advice, contact MWI Paint Inspection to discuss your project requirements.