Please note that this product CANNOT be used without first receiving a specification from our Technical Department for your project. Please download and complete the 'Thermoguard Door Enquiry Form' and return by email to [email protected]
If you have any questions regarding this process consult our technical department on 0113 2455450 (option 2).
Thermoguard Fire Varnish Door Upgrade System
Fire Resistance to Doors using Thermoguard Fire Varnish Basecoat and Thermoguard Fire Varnish Overcoat (Interior)
Transparent Wood Stains
Representations shown below; represented as solid colours in the colour picker further above.
Please Note: Woodstains are only available on the following shipping options:
- Express: 1-3 Working Days Delivery (Thermoguard DS)
- Economy: 7-10 Working Days Nationwide Delivery
Please refer Thermoguard's explanatory Technical Note (available to download HERE) to the appropriate Authority for approval BEFORE purchase and use of this system.
Due to the hugely varying nature of doors and their construction, it is impractical and misleading to carry out NAMAS / UKAS Fire Test Laboratory fire door testing. Each door must be assessed for potential suitability.
The great majority of doors, including all hollow doors, are unsuitable for upgrading to 30 or even 20 minutes Fire Resistance.
There are, however, certain well constructed, solid and substantial doors capable of being upgraded with the Thermoguard Fire Varnish system as this is by far the most effective clear fire treatment or coating available.
Generally suitable doors are hardwood or solid with hardwood veneer.
Intumescent paint (white or coloured) is capable of significantly greater Fire Resistance. If you have softwood doors we suggest you refer to Thermoguard Timbercoat Door Upgrade System.
Please note: Intumescent varnish is just one element of protection and DOES NOT create a ‘fire door’. Doors should only be considered for upgrade when the historic integrity of the door must be maintained, evaluation of ironmongery and gaps around the door should be undertaken and then all works should be carried out by a specialist to meet the requirements of your authority.
Thermoguard's Fire Varnish tested for Fire Resistance at a UKAS Fire Test laboratory for 30 mins - Results indicated Thermoguard Fire Varnish added 15 mins Fire Resistance.
Thermoguard Fire Varnish Class 0 Part 6 Fire Propagation Test and BS EN Class B result indicates the protected softwood did not burn significantly within the 10mins (Part 6) and 20mins (BS EN) test duration. Further in-house testing by Thermoguard indicated that when applied at three times the Class O / Class B spec. the Thermoguard Fire Varnish system added 15 minutes Fire Resistance.
Projects requiring 30 minutes Fire Resistance need to be assess on an individual basis. In order to enable them to issue a 30 minutes Fire Certificate in the case of softwood the surface must be able to afford the loss of 10mm depth from all surfaces exposed to a fire. For oak or similar hardwoods, the loss to take into account is 6mm.
In other words, the residual timber should be adequate, after such loss in the case of a door to avoid premature collapse, splitting or cracking ensuring neither flame or the substantial heat required to promote combustion can pass through the door.
Pine and Other Softwood
In general terms few modern softwood doors can be protected with confidence. Old and hence very well seasoned softwood doors can be protected but only if the frame can withstand 10mm loss. In these cases panels less than 16mm thick should be supplemented by inserting an additional panel to make the total panel thickness 16mm+, trapping the additional panel behind the door's beading. Substantial, solid doors unable to afford the loss of 10mm to the frame can achieve 20 minutes with the 30 min spec as below provided they can afford the loss of 4mm.
Oak and Other Resistant Hardwoods
(Including modern doors with solid compressed cores and 6mm oak veneer faces)
These doors with frames 35mm+ thick can be upgraded to 30 minutes. Any inset panel less than 12mm thick should be supplemented by an additional panel trapped by the door's beading to take overall panel thickness to 12mm+.
Door Surrounds & Seals
Thermoguard recommend the gap or joint between the architrave and wall is sealed with Intumescent mastic (included in this pack) after application of Fire Varnish & Fire Varnish Overcoat. They also recommend that intumescent strips are fitted in the door jambs and to the underside of the door.
Specification
30 Minutes Fire Resistance Specification (20 minutes in case of some softwood doors as referred to above)
- 3 coats of Thermoguard Fire Varnish Basecoat @ 7m² per litre / per coat
- 2 coats of Thermoguard Fire Varnish Overcoat (Interior) – Matt or Satin @ 10m² per litre / per coat
Coverage 30 / 20 minutes (as above) - allows for the number of coats necessary
Each 3 door pack contains;
- 2 x 20m² Thermoguard Fire Varnish Basecoat
- 1 x 20m² Thermoguard Fire Varnish Overcoat (Interior) – Matt or Satin finish
- 2 x 310ml Thermoguard Intumescent Mastic White (you may need to purchase more tubes depending on the size of gaps to fill which can be done HERE)
This should be applied to 3 doors on BOTH sides (6 door sides in total) and it is assumed that this area will total no more than 13m². If your doors are unusual in size or total more than 13m² of area please contact the Technical Department.
Important Application Notes
The Thermoguard Fire Varnish System should only be applied to clean, dry wood, with dry conditions during application and drying of basecoat and overcoat. Avoid solvent cleaners before application and ensure good air movement & ventilation with dry conditions before and during the application, until over-coated.
For Full Mixing instructions and detailed Application information:
Please see or Download, Thermoguard TDS for Fire Varnish 2 pack Basecoat & Fire Varnish Overcoat TDS.
Thermoguard Fire Varnish Overcoat (Interior) should not be applied unless the basecoat is hard-dry and free of any tackiness. Drying time of the basecoat in good conditions is overnight. Once the basecoat has dried in good conditions, good conditions should be maintained until the 1st coat of Overcoat has been applied, the basecoat remains ideal to overcoat for a further 4 days. Thereafter, the basecoat becomes gradually harder, until it reaches a point where the overcoat may not obtain a good bond.
Note – if conditions deteriated before the Overcoat is being applied, the basecoat could reverse from dry back to feeling sticky or slightly sticky. If that occurred, do not apply until the basecoat has dried hard and tack-free again. Once dried again, the 4 day application “window” starts again.
Thermoguard therefore recommend overcoating when basecoat is dry, within the following 4 days in good conditions.
The longer the delay beyond 4 days after basecoat had dried and remained dry (ie 5 or 6 days after application), the greater the risk of overcoat delaminating.
If overcoating is delayed 7 days or more after the basecoat became and remained dry, it is advised;
- Basecoat is abraded to obtain a key with 120 grit abrasive
- Apply a light coat of basecoat to replaced material removed during abrasion
- Apply overcoat within the ideal overcoating window as described above
Clean-Up:
Thermoguard Fire Varnish Basecoat is waterbased. Return as much unused material to its original container as possible. Wash brushes, rollers and guns with Clean Water immediately following use.
Thermoguard Fire Varnish Overcoat is Oil Based. Return as much unused Fire Varnish Overcoat to its original container as possible. Wash brushes rollers and guns White Spirit or Brush cleaner following use.
IMPORTANT FIRE PRODUCTS NOTICE: The information displayed on this website should be used as a guide ONLY and our Technical Department should be contacted to obtain a tailored specification and any advice necessary before you place an order for fire protection products. Fire protection products are non-returnable except in accordance with Condition 8 of the Terms and Conditions and should be applied only by an individual with the necessary expertise and experience. We will not be held liable for any resulting damage to property, human life or monetary costs incurred due to the incorrect specification you have prepared or use of fire protection products caused by your negligence, including your failure to have contacted us to obtain the relevant advice/specification.