Firefree22, which passed the UBC 26-3/FM 4880/UBC 8-2 room corner tests and the FM 4975 hydrocarbon ceiling test, has the proven ability to prevent vertical flame spread, smoke generation and room flashover

Without Firefree22, the initial flames will be fueled by the walls and ceilings and such flames will travel vertically with gases collecting at the ceiling. These gases will soon ignite causing flashover, a fireball explosion that will burst into other parts of the structure. With Firefree22, the walls and ceilings will not contribute to the fire thereby dramatically reducing the fuel load in a room, creating less heat and, in most cases, preventing flashover. The only items that can become fuel are the objects within the room itself. This concept of preventing flashover is documented in numerous room corner tests that Firefree Coatings, Inc has performed on numerous substrates.

By creating this type of compartmentation, the time/temperature curve of a fire in a room can be dramatically altered

In most situations, the walls and ceiling will become fuel and contribute to the fire. As a result, the time/temperature curve will continue to rise, gases will buildup at the ceiling and at around 750F (room flashover temperature) these gases will ignite. Once ignited, the room will erupt in a ball of flame (flashover) with the fire quickly spreading throughout the structure. The whole process takes a mere seven to ten minutes from the start of the fire. In a situation where the walls and ceilings are coated with Firefree22, just the opposite will occur. The walls and ceilings will not contribute to the fire, significantly altering the time/temperature curve. The curve, instead of going up and climbing steadily will instead reach a peak below flashover conditions within a matter of a few minutes and will quickly start dropping off. No large amounts of gases will collect at the ceiling and flashover will be prevented.

Compartmentation Example

Firefree22 Specifications

• Applies like any interior paint
• Use as an undercoat or finish paint
• Water based, non-toxic
• Can be tinted to any light color
• Low sheen
• Washable with a damp cloth
• Available in 1-gal cans and 5 gallons buckets
• Environmentally friendly (VOC, 33 grams/liter)

What is the difference between FirefreeF88 and Firefree22?

The differences are that Firefree88 is more of a code driven (testing in accordance to ASTM E-119 for time [resistant] rating); Firefree22 is a two roll coat application that can be used by anyone who wants to provide additional protection to their building by simply using a paint brush, roller or spray gun.

Firefree88 is a code driven fire resistant coating that has been tested in accordance with the most stringent fire resistant ratings. The application of Firefree88 should be done by a licensed contractor and inspected by a third party.

Firefree22 is not designed to comply with building codes requiring specific fire ratings. The recommended thickness application of Firefree22 provides the benefits of a high performance, fire retardant coating at a lower cost and with ease of application. In normal situations, without a fire retardant coating, flame spread, smoke development and flashover can occur within 3 to 5 minutes.

Take Firefree22 Beyond a Simple Two Coat Application and Achieve Superior Fire Protection

While a simple, two coat application of Firefree22 will slow fire progression by 10 to 15 minutes, an enhanced application creates a new level of protection known as compartmentation (containing fire to the room of origin).

See Technical Performance for compartmentation testing.

Example of Compartmentation

House Burn – Washougal, Washington

In conjunction with, a third party, IAS/ICC certified fire testing laboratory, Firefree conducted a series of documented fire tests using the FF22 fire coating in different rooms on different material substrates including (i) living room finish walls of 1/4" mahogany paneling and celetex ceiling tiles, (ii) dining room with a finished ceiling of 1/2" gypsum board and the walls finished with 1/2" celetex tiles, (iii) bedrooms finished with 1/2" gypsum board with hollow core entry and closet doors and (iv) attic rafters and roof sheathing.

Half of the rooms were uncoated or coated with a standard latex paint, and the other half was coated with FF22.The rooms were thermocoupled to measure heat release rates and smoke monitors were set within each test area to measure smoke.

The results were extremely impressive. The difference between the FF22 coated portion of the building versus the uncoated portion of the build would have been the difference between life and death.

The temperatures in the uncoated portions of the rooms and attic space tested reached 1202° Fahrenheit in 3.5 minutes while the temperature of the coated portions of the room and attic space leveled out and maintained a constant 194° Fahrenheit.

The smoke developed in the uncoated portions of the rooms tested reached within 2 feet 6 inches of the floor and continuing downward to the floor within the same 3.5 minute time frame while the smoke levels in the coated portions of the rooms evened out at just over 2 feet down from the ceiling.

Upon inspection of the structure upon completion of the burn testing, there was found to be no significant damage to the FF22 coated materials (mahogany wall paneling, celetex tiles, gypsum board, wood rafters and roof sheathing) with no damage to the structural framing members of the structure. The uncoated portions of the structure had extensive damage to the surface material (mahogany paneling, ceiling tiles, gypsum board and attic framing) including structural damage to the framing members of the building.