paint

Question 1

What is the risk of paint on steelwork

Answer 1

can ignite if heated sufficiently by a fire,

e.g. the far side of a bulkhead in a ship fire

Question 2

paint is flammable but what significantly increases the risk

Answer 2

when many coats of paint
have been applied over a number of years, the film
may be sufficiently thick to become flammable and
constitute a fire risk

Question 3

Fire-retardant paints are occasionally used to protect

timber and are of two types and how effective are they

Answer 3

1. heavy-based paint which will not inhibit combustion
   completely, but will do much to reduce flaming,
2. ‘intumescent
   paint’, will, when subjected to heat, bubble up and
   form a layer of air cells which acts as an insulation
   between the heat of the fire and the timber underneath.
   This type of paint is very effective

Question 4

Recent intumescent paint works how ?

Answer 4

On reaching temperatures in excess of 200°C
(Paint Research Association figures), the paint
develops into a thick insulating foam which can
protect steel for long periods of time depending on
the thickness of the coatings.

Question 5

Discuss layers of paint

Answer 5

Research has shown that multi-layered paints in
communal areas and escape routes can represent a significant hazard in terms of flame spread and
toxic fumes emission in the event of a fire

Poor adhesion of existing finishes is also thought
to have had an adverse bearing on the spread of
flame

all paints in the
dried film state contain materials that are combustible.
To apply them on top of the other without
regard to their combined flammability is to worsen
areas already likely to be at risk. Tests have shown
that a cigarette lighter held to paint films, even
though the finish is firmly adhered to the wall, is
capable of igniting them and they will continue to
burn after the lighter has been removed.

This situation was first highlighted when the multi
fatality fire at Kings Cross Underground Station
was investigated