On April 30, 2019, Firefree Coatings (“Firefree”) was issued Patent No. 10,273,682 for Fire Protection for High-Rise Buildings. This patent covers a solution developed by Firefree for the fire protection of both the interior and exterior of high-rise buildings utilizing combustible cladding.

This solution does not require an extensive retrofitting of the entire exterior cladding, in that no removal or replacement of the existing panels is required, effective fire protection is provided to both the inside and exterior, whether or not the building is protected with automatic sprinklers, and the exterior appearance of the building is not altered. This solution can be implemented in a timely, cost efficient manner without major displacement or disruption of the building occupants, or disruption of the building’s daily operations.

This approach focuses on the protection, utilizing Firefree 88 (“Ff88”), an intumescent coating on both the exterior and interior of the building. Applying FF88 on the exterior of the building would protect the existing cladding from ignition from interior and exterior sources and would prevent the fire from spreading to other floors. Applying Ff88 on specific walls and ceilings on the interior of the building would prevent interior fires to spread within the building within a floor or between floors, eventually reaching the exterior and the cladding.

Ff88 can also be used in the manufacturing of new cladding panels resulting in non-combustible cladding with the same insulation quality and cost effective manufacturing.

This solution was based on Ff88’s existing testing on multiple substrates (metal, aluminum, polyurethane foam , gypsum, wood…) to a variety of standards including ASTM E 119, FM 4975, BS 476 , AS 1530 and EN 13501and Room Corner tests (UBC-2, UBC 26-3, NFPA 286), as well as the ASTM 1623 fire test standard, providing a “real world” extreme fire condition to determine the fire resistance of the samples in terms of maximum temperature exposure and time as an indication of performance in full scale testing under NFPA 285, the current testing standards currently being used for cladding panels.

Firefree is the leading developer of cost efficient fire retardant and fire resistant technologies that help prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases during a fire, thus giving time to occupants to evacuate and protecting the rest of the property from fire. Ff88 is tested at third party accredited International Accreditation Service (IAS) fire testing laboratories. Firefree Coatings is a member of NFPA, ICC and ASTM E-05 Committee. Ff88 is listed by FM Approvals and by ICC-ESR.
For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree Class A (“FfA”) can improve fire protection for structures exposed to wildfires and bushfires. FfA has passed the ASTM E84 30 Minute Extented testing, thus meeting the industry standard for non–combustibility. This standard, which is used to rate fire retardant treated lumber, involves measuring a product’s ability to slow down horizontal flame spread and smoke development.

The Firefree Exterior Topcoat (“FfE”) is a proprietary coating designed to improve the durability of FfA when used in exterior applications. FfA, when covered by FfE, provides a system designed to provide fire retardant benefits, per ASTM E-84 30 Minute Extended, in exterior applications (walls, sidings, eaves, soffits), thus improving fire protection for structures exposed to wildfires and bushfires.

Wildfires predominantly occur in the Wildland Urban Interface (“WUI”) which is a geographic location where structures and flammable vegetation merge in a wildfire-prone environment, resulting in fires devastating to both lives and properties. WUI areas include all structures either built or being built in low to highly forested areas or low to highly vegetated areas including high density housing areas.

Firefree Coatings, Inc. is the leading developer of cost efficient fire retardant and fire resistant technologies that help prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases during a fire, thus giving time to occupants to evacuate and protecting the rest of the property from fire. FfA is tested at third party accredited International Accreditation Service (IAS) fire testing laboratories and is listed by ICC-ES. Firefree Coatings is a member of NPFA, ICC and ASTM E-05 Committee.
For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree Coatings introduced its Ff Exterior Topcoat (“FfE”), a proprietary coating designed to improve the exterior durability of its fire resistant and fire retardant coatings, Firefree 88 (“Ff88”) and Firefree Class A (“Ffa”). FfE on its own does not have fire retardant properties, but its use on surfaces coated with FfA or Ff88 will allow use of such products in exterior applications. FfE is environmentally friendly and has a high quality exterior finish, with excellent moisture and UV resistance, as well as great adhesion and color retention.

FfA, when covered by FfE, provides a system designed to provide fire retardant benefits, per ASTM E-84 30 Minute Extended, in exterior applications (walls, sidings, eaves, soffits), thus improving fire retardation for structures exposed to wildfires and bushfires.

Ff88, when covered by FfE, can meet the ASTM E 119 standard in certain exterior applications, including walls, sidings, eaves and soffits, involving a property line five (5) feet setback where a one (1) hour rating is required.

Such applications can improve fire retardation for structures exposed to wildfires and bushfires. Wildfires predominantly occur in the Wildland Urban Interface (“WUI”) which is a geographic location where structures and flammable vegetation merge in a wildfire-prone environment, resulting in fires devastating to both lives and properties. WUI areas include all structures either built or being built in low to highly forested areas or low to highly vegetated areas including high density housing areas.

Firefree Coatings, Inc. is the leading developer of cost efficient fire retardant and fire resistant technologies that help prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases during a fire, thus giving time to occupants to evacuate and protecting the rest of the property from fire. FfA and Ff88 are tested at third party accredited International Accreditation Service (IAS) fire testing laboratories. Firefree Coatings is a member of NPFA, ICC and ASTM E-05 Committee. FfA is listed by ICC-ES, Ff88 is listed by FM Approvals and ICC-ES.

For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree 88 (FF88) recently received a listing report from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES 4271), confirming that our premier fire resistant coating meets all the requirements prescribed under ICC-ES acceptance criteria AC363. Building/code officials, architects, contractors/designers, engineers and the building industry rely on manufacturers who are committed to the level of quality control found in the International Code Council’s AC363.
ICC-ES is the premier product evaluation/listing agency in North America and the most readily accepted in evaluating building products with applicable requirements of the IBC and IRC.
ICC-ES is also dedicated to developing model codes and standards (the International Codes) which are used worldwide in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. ICC-ES is accredited by both the American National Standards Institute and the Standards Council of Canada.
Firefree Coatings, Inc. is a leading developer of cost efficient fire retardant and fire resistant technologies that help prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases during a fire, thus giving time to occupants to evacuate and protecting the rest of the property from fire. Firefree coatings are tested at third party accredited International Accreditation Service (IAS) fire testing laboratories. Firefree Coatings is a member of NPFA, ICC-ES and ASTM E-05 Committee.
Firefree sells and ships products in all five continents for private, corporate and governmental projects, with customers and projects all over the world from the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela…) to Asia (Australia, India, Indonesia, Philippines…) to Africa (Nigeria…) and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait…).
For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree Class A (FFA) recently received a listing report ESR-4271 from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), confirming that our premier fire retardant coating meets all the requirements prescribed under ICC-ES acceptance criteria AC363. Building/code officials, architects, contractors/designers, engineers and the building industry rely on manufacturers who are committed to the level of quality control found in the AC363.
ICC-ES is the premier product evaluation/listing agency in North America and the most readily accepted in evaluating building products with applicable requirements of the IBC and IRC.
ICC-ES is also dedicated to developing model codes and standards (the International Codes) which are used worldwide in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. ICC-ES is accredited by both the American National Standards Institute and the Standards Council of Canada.
Firefree Coatings, Inc. is a leading developer of cost efficient fire retardant and fire resistant technologies that help prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases during a fire, thus giving time to occupants to evacuate and protecting the rest of the property from fire. Firefree coatings are tested at third party accredited International Accreditation Service (IAS) fire testing laboratories. Firefree Coatings is a member of NPFA, ICC-ES and ASTM E-05 Committee.
Firefree sells and ships products in all five continents for private, corporate and governmental projects, with customers and projects all over the world from the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela…) to Asia (Australia, India, Indonesia, Philippines…) to Africa (Nigeria…) and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait…).
For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree Class A qualifies for LEED Version 4 credits. FFA holds a certificate with ClearChem Registry, recognized by the US Green Building Council, in accordance with CDPH Standard Method v 1.2, 2017 emissions.

LEED v4 is the latest version of LEED. It went into effect in 2013 and is the only standard recognized for new buildings. Paints earn LEED v4 Low Emitting Materials credits for being emission certified in addition to meeting CARB SCM 2007 VOC limits. Firefree Class A is already eco-friendly as it has low VOCs (<36 gr/liter) which is significantly below California’s stringent limit of 50gr/liter. Firefree Class A’s LEED compliance builds on Firefree Coatings’ leading position as a manufacturer of environmentally friendly, green products. For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Regulatory developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) require that all manufacturers and supplies selling products in the UAE market provide a UAE Certificate of Compliance. FM Approvals is recognized by the UAE Civil Defense as a Certification Body. Firefree 88 Certificate is under Approval FM Class 4975 and is available to the Ministry of Civil Defense for verification and approval.

Factory Mutual (FM Approvals, www.fmapprovals.com), a division of FM Global, is a world leader in commercial property insurance and risk management. FM Approvals certifies products with a unique focus on rigorous testing and certification of loss prevention products and services.

Firefree Coatings, Inc. is a leading developer of cost efficient fire retardant and fire resistant technologies that help prevent the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases during a fire, thus giving time to occupants to evacuate and protecting the rest of the property from fire. Firefree coatings are tested at third party accredited International Accreditation Service (IAS) fire testing laboratories. Firefree 88 is approved by FM Approvals, classified by Underwriters Laboratories (U/L), listed by CA SFM Building Materials and accepted by NY Material and Equipment Acceptance Division. Firefree Coatings is a member of NPFA, ICC and ASTM E-05 Committee.

Firefree sells and ships products in all five continents for private, corporate and governmental projects, with customers and projects all over the world from the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela…) to Asia (Australia, India, Indonesia, Philippines…) to Africa (Nigeria…) and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait…).

For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree’s solution for cladding fires is based on Firefree 88’s existing testing on multiple substrates (metal, aluminum, polyurethane foam , gypsum, wood…) to a variety of standards including ASTM E 119, FM 4975, BS 476 , AS 1530 and EN 13501 and Room Corner tests (UBC-2, UBC 26-3, NFPA 286). Now Firefree 88 has passed a further set of tests, further validating such a retrofit solution.

The tests were conducted to the ASTM 1623 fire test standard, providing a “real world” extreme fire condition to determine the fire resistance of the sample panels in terms of maximum temperature exposure and time as an indication of performance in full scale testing under NFPA 285 the current testing standards currently being used for cladding panels.

The cladding panel, which was coated with FF88 per Firefree Coating’s solution (patent application filed), never got close to reaching the backside failure temperature of 121 C (250F) during the 60 minutes of the test. It reached an equilibrium temperature of 100 C (212 F) indicating a similar result would have been reached with the test extended to 120 minutes. By comparison the control cladding panel, which was not coated with FF88, reached the backside failure temperature of 121 C (250 F) in 6 minutes.

Firefree 88 can also be used in the manufacturing of new cladding panels resulting in non-combustible cladding with the same insulation quality and cost effective manufacturing.

For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

Firefree has developed a retrofit solution (and filed a patent application) for the fire protection of both the interior and exterior of high-rise buildings utilizing combustible cladding.

This solution will not require an extensive retrofitting of the entire exterior cladding, in that no removal or replacement of the existing panels is required, effective fire protection is provided to both the inside and exterior, whether or not the building is protected with automatic sprinklers, and the exterior appearance of the building is not altered. This solution can be implemented in a timely, cost efficient manner without major displacement or disruption of the building occupants, or disruption of the building’s daily operations.

This approach focuses on the protection, utilizing Firefree 88, an intumescent coating on both the exterior and interior of the building. Applying Firefree 88 on the exterior of the building would protect the existing cladding from ignition from interior and exterior sources and would prevent the fire from spreading to other floors. Applying FF88 on specific walls and ceilings on the interior of the building would prevent interior fires to spread within the building within a floor or between floors, eventually reaching the exterior and the cladding.

Firefree 88 can also be used in the manufacturing of new cladding panels resulting in non-combustible cladding with the same insulation quality and cost effective manufacturing.

For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.

With the increase in the use of lithium ion batteries and the expanding size of battery packs comes a high level of fire hazards associated with the batteries, both in storage, use and transportation.

Firefree coatings have extensive testing on wood, thin gauge metal, carbon fiber and fiberglass composites, all materials used in lithium batteries shipping containers, power storage towers and vehicle battery storage areas.

Firefree Coatings has taken another step in passing testing on cardboard shipping containers. On cardboard boxes coated with Firefree 88 and loaded with lithium batteries, the coating was able to contain the battery fire to within the box and not let it expand outward into the additional boxes that made up the total shipping package of multiple sized boxes.

Additionally the testing on the boxes coated with Firefree 88 showed that the temperatures within a single box, or within a larger box containing multiple boxes did not exceed 400 degrees C within the batteries storage box space. The temperature on the cardboard boxes reach a maximum of 300 C within the heavily loaded smaller storage box, with additional temperature readings around additional boxes ranging from 30 C to 160 C within the larger cardboard box container in which multiple, smaller boxes were also placed.

For further information, please contact at info@firefree.com, (888-990-3388) (+1 415-459-6488), www.firefree.com.