W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., August 14, 2014—Intumescent coatings produce an insulating char when activated by heat or flame. Such coatings are designed to safeguard the structural integrity of steel under fire conditions and to maintain safe temperatures for a specified period of time. A new ASTM standard will cover the specification, application and inspection of intumescent fire-resistant materials to structural steel.

The new standard, ASTM E2924, Practice for Intumescent Coatings, provides recommendations to specify best practices for intumescent coatings. Specifying, manufacturing, testing, labeling, transportation, delivery and storage (including shelf life), installation and inspection are all covered in ASTM E2924.

“Intumescent coatings are a vital component in the modern building design of structures such as schools, hospitals, residences, offices, petrochemical and manufacturing plants,” says ASTM member Philip Mancuso, technical services manager, Isolatek International. “In the event of a fire, the steel load is compromised and devastating failures can occur. It is important that intumescent coatings be properly specified, installed and inspected in order to ensure life safety.”

Architects, specifiers and building owners will now be able to incorporate reference to ASTM E2924 in their building specifications. In addition, engineers, installers and inspection agencies will find the standard to be useful when dealing with intumescent coatings.

ASTM E2924 was developed by Subcommittee E06.21 on Serviceability, part of ASTM InternationalCommittee E06 on Performance of Buildings. All interested parties are invited to participate in the standards developing activities of E06.21.

“ASTM E2924 was designed to be expanded upon,” says Mancuso. “E06.21 also hopes to develop product-specific test methods and standards.” Specifiers, manufacturers and representatives of both inspection agencies and accredited testing laboratories are invited to join E06.21.

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