Intumescent Coatings, Flame Retardancy, Fire Retardant Coatings

Q. I have an intumescent paint finish spec'd on a job to be the only finish on exposed columns in a interior public corridor. My question is weather or not the intumescent paint finish is durable enough for general wear and tear, or should I add another finish coat of paint for durability?

A. There are numerous intumescent coatings on the market each having different properties. Some are waterborne, others solvent based, and resins vary from acrylic to epoxy. However, there are coatings that will provide a decorative and durable finish.

Regards,

Ron Joseph