FAQ s FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FRE Thermoguard provides a full range of fire protection paints and varnishes for all surfaces including timber, walls, ceilings and steel. These frequently asked questions may be of help to you. We re always available to help so please contact so that we can help you further. Please note that these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are intended to provide you with general information on these products and their uses. For full and final advice on purchase and application of these products we suggest that you liaise with your engineer/architect to ensure that you stay within the legal requirements, if such apply. Thank you. Q1. We have a new timber ceiling in an attic room and we would like to varnish it and make it fire resistant. What would you recommend? Thermoguard fire varnish is ideal on new or previously varnished timber. It is a two coat system. The base coat comes in 20m 2 packs and the top coat in 20m 2 & 80m 2 packs, with a choice of matt and satin finishes. Note that the technical fire rating required for this type of room is normally Class B s2 d0+ Class0 but please check with your building control officer to confirm any specific requirements. Q2. We have an old varnished ceiling that is now gone very dark and dull. To brighten it up we d like to paint it and make it fire resistant at the same time. Can this be done? Yes, certainly. You can use one coat of Timbercoat Intumescent, followed by one coat of our sfr Dualcoat Flame Retardant Acrylic Eggshell or Matt. These products come in White and are available most BS and Ral colours. Before using just make sure that the existing coating is washed down and a key established for the application of the new coating. This will require light abrasion with sandpaper to ensure that the new coating will adhere sufficiently. Note that this this allows you to achieve a Class BS EN ClassB sl finish. Q3. We have just converted our attic and it s now a bedroom. Our builder has told us we also need to fire protect our stairs. How can we achieve this? Normally the tread of the staircase does not require to be fire retarded. In most cases it s the side walls of the staircase that require treatment for timber use our Timbercoat (Painted) or Fire Varnish (Clear). For plaster use our SFR Spec. Note that this this allows you to achieve a Class 0 finish.
Q4. We have just put an extension on our house, steel supports have been used in some parts, our builder has advised that this should be fire protected. How do we do this? In a domestic house the rating is normally 30min on steel work but this should always be checked with your building control officer before purchasing or applying any product. The size and thickness of your beam will require a different loading of the intumescent paint to achieve this rating so it is simpler for you to talk to us about details of the steel size i.e. length, flange and width we and number of sides requiring treatment. We can then advise you further regarding the loadings and product requirements to achieve the 30mins. Steel details can normally be supplied by your builder or architect connected to the project. Q5. My insurance company has looked for a Fire Certificate for work we carried out on our new build. How do I get this? If Thermoguard products have been used you can download on our partner s website www.thermoguard.co.uk. On the opening page of this web site is a heading fire certificate. Click on this, which will take you into the application for a fire certificate. This will ask you for some short details in relation to the project and purchase of the Thermoguard products plus contact details. A manufacturers fire certificate is normally issued free of charge to cover you project within 5 working days and e-mailed directly to you. Q6. We have just put a new stove in our house and a new fireboard has been fitted. Can we get a fire proof paint for this? Fire Retardant Paint is of no use in this type of area as it will react in close contact with these high heat stoves. Fire Retardant paint should not be confused with Heat Resistant Paint, which is normally used in this type of area. Q7. I have doors that are not fire proof but need to be. Do I need to replace them or can I put some kind of coating on them? The great majority of doors, including all hollow doors are unsuitable for upgrading to 30mins. There are however certain well-constructed, solid and substantial doors capable of being upgraded with either Thermoguard Fire Varnish or Timbercoat/SFR (Solid Colour). Q8. I need to paint steel uprights in a building. Can you tell me how much it will cost and how many sq. meters a pack will cover and how many will I need? Download the attached form and get your engineer to fill in details of your steel beams including lengths, flange and width and how many sides need coating; if horizontal or vertical. Please send the form to us at info@mcdonnellpaints.ie and we will work out product requirements and give you a price.
Q9. I have varnished timber doors in my pub and would like to paint them. Can I paint directly over the varnish? Yes. Before using just make sure that the existing coating is washed down and a key established for the application of the new coating. This will require light abrasion with sandpaper to ensure that the new coating will adhere sufficiently. Then follow instructions as above (See Q7. above Upgrading Doors to 30mins). Q10. How do I go about ordering the paint and what information do I need? For timber you will need to know the total square meter area so that we can work out your product requirements for either Fire Varnish (Clear) or Timbercoat /SFr Dualcoat (Solid Colour) painted. For steel we will require full details of the steel beams to work out the loading requirement for the Thermocoat W product, which gives up to one hour protection, depending on film thickness of applied product. Q11. Will I need to use a primer before I apply the actual paint itself? Yes. For steel a suitable good quality anti-corrosive primer compatible with intumescent paints should be applied first. For timber Thermoguard s Timbercoat or Fire Varnish basecoat acts as a primer for either Thermoguard s SFR Dualcoat or Fire Varnish Top Coat, depending on finish requirements i.e. painted or clear. Q12. Can I use this paint in my own home? Yes, certainly. All Thermoguard paint is suitable for you to use as specified in either your domestic or commercial premises. Q13. What product do I need to use on Steelwork? We recommend Thermocoat W. Q14. Can I paint over existing painted steel? In most cases Intumescent paint should only be applied to well primed steel. For steel already painted please call us with details so that we can advise you appropriately. Q15. Do I need to prime new steel work before I use the intumescent? And if so what primer do I use? Yes, steel must be primed with a good quality anti-corrosive primer compatible with intumescent paints.
Q16. What can I finish the steel work with after I have applied the Thermo coat? Either our Oil Based Gloss or Eggshell or Thermoguard s SFR Dualcoat can be applied, provided the steel has been well primed with no rust spots showing through. SFR is suitable for internal and Oil Based is suitable for damp or exterior applications. Both are available in White, Black or Most BS and RAL Colours. Note that Top Coat is only required where the steel is being left exposed in the building. If steel is being buried then top coat is not required. Q17. What fire rating will I get (1 hour or 30 mins)? For Steel it depends on the film thickness applied what rating up to 60mins is achieved. If you supply Thermoguard with the details of the steel we will work out loading and product requirement for you. You should always contact your building control officer to agree what rating they are prepared to accept before purchasing or applying any product. Q18. How do I get a fire certificate after using these products? After purchasing and applying product to the correct specification go on line to our partner s website www.thermoguard.co.uk to apply for a fire certificate, which will be e-mailed to you within five working days. Q19. What products do I need for woodwork/timber in a clear finish? You need Thermoguard Fire Varnish, which is a totally clear two coat system. A base coat and a top coat. The base coat comes in a 20m 2 pack and the topcoat comes in 20m 2 and 80m 2 packs with a satin or matt finish. Both base and top coat must be applied to achieve the fire rating. Q20. Can it be applied over an existing varnish? Yes, provided the existing is a standard varnish. Before using just make sure that the existing coating is washed down and a key established for the application of the new coating. This will require light abrasion with sandpaper to ensure that the new coating will adhere sufficiently. If the existing coating is a Fire Varnish then contact us for further details. Q21. Can I colour the timber before I apply the varnish? Yes but you must allow for the stain to cure before applying the fire varnish basecoat. Most spirit based stains can take up to two weeks to fully cure. Before using just make sure that the existing coating is washed down and a key established for the application of the new coating. This will require light abrasion with sandpaper to ensure that the new coating will adhere sufficiently.
Q22. I want my timber to have a solid colour i.e. a cream rather than a stain colour. What can be used in this instance? For a solid colour, White or most RAL or BS Colours, use Timbercoat/SFR Dualcoat specification. Note that this this allows you to achieve a Class 0/EN specification. For 30mins please contact us. We hope these FAQ s have been of help. Please contact any of our Pat McDonnell Paint stores and we ll be glad to offer further advice and help you with any specific requests. Either go to www.mcdonnellpaints.ie/our-shops/ for our stores contact details or, if you prefer, you can contact our Head Office at: T: 021 432 0200 or E: info@mcdonnellpaints.ie