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Fire Protection

Class 0 Is Dead: Why BS EN 13501-1 Class B s1 d0 Now Matters More Than Ever

Contractor installing a ceiling-mounted smoke detector during a fire safety inspection.

The deadline has arrived! From 2nd March 2025, building materials such as fire retardant paints in England will no longer be permitted to use outdated national fire classification labels such as BS Class 0. The government’s amendments to Approved Document B remove the national classification system and replace it fully with the European standard: BS EN 13501-1. This change isn’t ...

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Can You Paint Over Fire Retardant Paint?

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to paint over fire retardant paint, you’re not alone. Many people face this question when redecorating or ensuring their surfaces remain protected while achieving a desired finish. The answer, however, depends on various factors, including the type of paint, the surface in question, and the compatibility of topcoats. By the end of this ...

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Understanding Coating Thickness Measurements

When undertaking a project with a high performance coating, you need to think about how you will measure the coating thickness to ensure it is applied to specification. By monitoring and recording your coating thickness measurements you can ensure that you get a quality finish, that will perform as intended and as an added bonus you won’t unnecessarily waste material ...

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Fire Protection Methods for Interior Timber

If you have interior timber, it’s likely you’ll worry about safety. If you’re in something like a commercial building, you’ll also have to think about fire safety. It can sound like a big job, but there are different ways – such as using intumescent paint – you can protect your timber easily and for minimal expense. Try one of these ...

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Protecting Exposed Steel In Your Extension From Fire

Extensions are extremely useful, on residential and commercial properties alike. They can be used to create space for storage, offices, workrooms, playrooms and much more. If your extension has exposed steelwork, you will need to protect it from potential fire damage with intumescent paint. Exposed steelwork can either be practical or make an interesting design feature. Although steel is a ...

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Intumescent paint colours and getting a good finish on steel

Painting Structural Steelwork

Fantastic for fire safety, intumescent paints help to protect the surface below. Additionally, intumescent paints can be used to achieve fantastic decorative finishes on steelwork (or structural timber). There are different finishes available in fire retardant paints to use on steel, depending on your desired look. While intumescent paints are primarily designed to insulate steel in the event of a ...

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Fire Resistant Products: Everything You Need to Know

Most frequently used in large-scale industrial spaces, public buildings, and new builds, fire retardant paints provide essential fire resistance for structural elements. Fire Resistant Materials And Products At Rawlins Paints Fire protection products, including many of those available at Rawlins Paints, provide an estimated period of fire resistance to substrates, structural components, and objects. International laws vary per product and ...

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