Markets / Applications

The use of a Firefree coating is:

• EASIER -   it simply requires the application of a coat of paint, instead of the extensive labor and material required to construct fire rated assemblies
  
  
• CHEAPER -  40 to 60% savings in labor and material
  
  
• FASTER - applying a coat of paint can be done in a few days as opposed to the weeks/months involved in demolishing and/or rebuilding walls or ceilings

Because of their unique level of performance and testing, Firefree coatings are the first coatings to provide fire ratings. These fire ratings, until the development of Firefree coatings, could only be achieved through material and labor intensive methods involving construction products such as sheetrock, sheet metal and plywood.  By contrast, Firefree coatings are easy to apply and provide cheaper and faster solutions to fire ratings required by Code.

Most of FireFree’s markets are driven by Code requirements. The Code (UBC and ICC) provisions dealing with fire protection issues in the overall construction industry provide clear, detailed, stringent, standards (ASTM E119, UBC 26-3 room corner test). By being the first coating to pass the tests required to meet such standards, Firefree has opened vast markets in the construction industry, including: retrofit, litigation, historic, foam, new construction, and exterior. In such markets, the use of a Firefree coating is a more efficient, cheaper, faster way to meet Code requirements than the existing alternatives (sheetrock, metal plates, cementitious, chemical treatments, special engineering, etc).

Our level of testing allows Firefree to be used in applications where coatings, up until now, have never been used. As a result, Firefree coatings are the first to provide fire ratings as an alternative to traditional construction methods (sheetrock, metal plates, plywood, cementitious…) .

Retrofit Construction

With the movement to bring more residential and commercial space back into the downtown areas and with the rebuilding of decommissioned military bases, a tremendous number of buildings are being converted from one use to another. These conversions will invariably involve upgrades required by local building codes. Obviously, some of the most critical of these upgrades involve fire safety. Firefree 88, an intumescent coating, is in the perfect position to assist in this area. By using Firefree 88, we save the builders time, material costs and added material weight because we merely add coats of Firefree 88 in lieu of changing the type of construction or demolishing/rebuilding to add sheetrock or sprinklers.
[Retrofit Construction Example]

Historical Properties

With the movement to renovate and/or preserve historical properties, there are invariably upgrades required by local building codes. Obviously, some of the most critical upgrades involve fireproofing. Firefree 88 is in the perfect position to assist in this area. By using Firefree 88, we save the builders time, material costs and added material weight and, at the same time, the historical integrity of the structure is preserved. As a result, Firefree 88 will enhance fire safety while preserving the special nature of these buildings without the demolition/reconstruction required by alternative methods.
[Historical Properties Example]

Defective Construction-Litigation

Even in new buildings, compliance with fire codes can be a major issue. Homeowner boards and property owners are litigating defective construction that does not comply with fire codes. Repairing defects such as incorrect nailing, wrong sheetrock and single layer ceilings require massive demolition/reconstruction and relocation of occupants resulting in prohibitive costs and delays. Most of these defects can now be corrected with Firefree 88 in a short amount of time and at a fraction of the price of reconstruction.
[Defective Construction-Litigation Example]

Construction Code Changes

As cities face more and more problems with fire safety, tougher fire codes requiring substantially more difficult testing standards are being instituted and, to date, no other product can pass these standards.
[Code Changes Example]

New Construction/Design Build

The new trend in designing large projects is using a team effort called "design build". The team consists of the architect, engineer and contractors from the start. When Firefree 88 is considered in the initial planning stage, it can result in a more flexible and creative design, lowering of building costs as well as a reduction in the time necessary to complete a project. The use of Firefree 88 allows better fireproofing as well as a reduction in structural weight through the use of wider joist spans.
[Design Build Example]

FOAM/Insulation

Foam products are everywhere and tragedies in Rhode Island and Chicago nightclubs have reminded officials and the general public of the deadly damage fire can bring to foam and/or composite panels. Foam products have two deadly components: fast fire spread and rapid generation of highly toxic smoke. Firefree 88, an intumescent coating, is on the forefront of the solution by addressing both dangers. Firefire 88 can prevent the fire from igniting the foam thus preventing foam contribution to the fire while limiting the generation of toxic gases. Firefree 88 can (i) bring fire ratings to already installed foam/panels; (ii) bring fire ratings to new foam/panels. Firefree 88 is inexpensive and easy to apply with great adhesion. Firefree 88 is fully tested and proven and has passed the Fire Industry's most stringent tests for foam including the thermal barrier, UBC 26-3 room corner test, and radiant panel tests.
[Insulation Example]

Transportation/Advanced Materials

As technology moves forward at a frenetic pace, the emphasis is on stronger and lighter materials. Synthetic materials are at the forefront and are now being used in light rail, marine, new construction, aviation and many other industries. These new wave materials shine in their strength and how lightweight they are, but a key issue remains that the products are very combustible and cannot alone meet required fire ratings. Firefree 88 has the unique, proven ability to enable such materials to meet the required code levels, without adding significant weight to the materials or altering their other properties.
[Advanced Materials Example]

Transportation/Modular Housing

There is a growing trend towards modular housing using lightweight combustible materials. The modules are prefabricated in factories and must be transported over great distances to their final destination thus weight is a significant factor in the cost. Manufacturers can use Firefree 88 to attain the required fire rating on these new materials and reduce the weight of the panels.
[Modular Housing Example]