Fire-retardant paint for fire-fighting cable trays

Fire-retardant paints for cable trays, such as intumescent and self-extinguishing coatings, protect cables by delaying flame spread, maintaining circuit integrity, and forming insulating barriers under fire conditions.

Types of Fire-Retardant Paints

Intumescent Coatings: These paints expand when exposed to heat, forming a thick insulating char that prevents flame propagation and heat transfer. For example, ALTIC 007 Fire Stop Coating is a water-based intumescent paint that provides up to 4 hours of certified circuit integrity, is halogen-free, flexible, and resistant to water, oil, alkali, and UV radiation, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor cable trays (ALTIC 007) . Self-Extinguishing Paints: Products like AF Cable Coat delay fire by releasing water vapor upon heating, lowering the temperature and leaving a non-combustible residue that inhibits flame spread. These coatings maintain elasticity to accommodate cable movement and are certified under IEC 60332-3-10 and IEC 60332-3-22 standards, making them ideal for environments with dense cable installations such as data centers and power plants . Thermalastic® Coatings: Thermalastic® 83C works by cutting off oxygen from the fuel source, effectively transforming grouped cables into a single fire-resistant unit. It reduces heat transmission and prevents flame spread in stacked or horizontal cable tray runs, providing a maintenance-free and economical solution for industrial and control room applications . FLAMMOTECT-A and DG-CR 0.7: These coatings and tapes form a robust protective shield around cables, enhancing resistance to environmental factors like UV radiation, salt water, oil, and chemicals. They are widely used in high-risk areas such as hospitals, airports, nuclear facilities, and substations, ensuring cables remain functional during fire emergencies .

Key Considerations

• Certification and Standards: Ensure the paint is tested to recognized standards such as ASTM, NFPA, IEC 60332, or local fire safety codes.
• Application Method: Coatings can be applied with brushes, rollers, or spray guns. Some products require linear application intervals for optimal protection.
• Environmental Resistance: Choose paints that withstand UV, moisture, oil, and chemical exposure for long-term durability.
• Fire Protection Duration: Depending on the product, fire-retardant paints can provide 1–4 hours of circuit integrity, giving critical time for evacuation and firefighting.
• Maintenance: Some coatings are maintenance-free, while others may require periodic inspection to ensure continued effectiveness.

Conclusion

For fireproofing cable trays, intumescent and self-extinguishing fire-retardant paints are highly effective. Products like ALTIC 007, AF Cable Coat, Thermalastic® 83C, and FLAMMOTECT-A provide reliable protection, meet international fire safety standards, and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Selecting the right coating depends on fire rating requirements, environmental conditions, and cable density to ensure maximum safety and compliance.