Fire protection coating

What is fire protection coating?

Fire protection coating (also called intumescent coating or sprayed fire protection) is a technique that consists of applying a protective material directly onto a structural element — steel beam, column, concrete slab, or masonry wall — to give it fire resistance properties.

In the case of steel structures, this protection is essential: unprotected steel loses approximately half of its load-bearing capacity at 550°C, a temperature rapidly reached in a building fire. Fire protection coating insulates the steel, delaying the rise in temperature and maintaining structural stability for the required duration.

FIREMAT: EXTHA's fire protection solution

FIREMAT is EXTHA's proprietary fire protection coating, developed and applied by our teams for nearly 40 years. Based on a mineral compound, FIREMAT offers:

• REI 120 protection: two hours of structural fire resistance
• Application on all materials: steel, concrete, masonry, composite elements
• Sprayed application: rapid application by our qualified teams
• Excellent adhesion: resistant to vibration and mechanical impact
• Non-combustible product: class A1 reaction to fire

Applications

Steel structures

Beams, columns, metal frames and composite floors in office buildings, industrial facilities, car parks and public buildings. FIREMAT coating is applied directly to the steel after priming, ensuring uniform and durable protection.

Reinforced concrete

Concrete structural elements requiring fire protection for regulatory compliance — particularly in public buildings, high-rise buildings and sensitive facilities.

Masonry and partitions

Fire protection of partition walls, existing masonry and specific structural elements requiring improved fire resistance without reconstruction.

Installation process

1. Technical audit: assessment of structures to be protected, regulatory requirements, thickness calculations
2. Surface preparation: cleaning and priming of surfaces before application
3. FIREMAT application: spraying by our certified teams to the specified thickness
4. Finishing: smoothing and optional painting for aesthetic applications
5. Quality control: thickness verification and documentation

Certifications

FIREMAT fire protection coating is tested and certified in accordance with European standards:

• EN 13501-2: fire resistance classification of construction products and building elements
• EN 1363-1: general requirements for fire resistance tests

EXTHA is both the manufacturer of FIREMAT and the applicator. This integrated approach guarantees perfect control over quality and performance from product to completed installation.