Amidst the increasing incidents of fire, a company based in India has recently developed a new type of fire-resistant paint that can withstand high temperatures for up to two hours.
In many commercial and residential establishments, interior partitions are commonly made with light and dry materials such as wood or other combustible materials. This makes it quite easy for such partitions to catch fire. Situations like these have resulted in the loss of assets and, worse, loss of life.
Firolac, developed by Esskay Laboratories, reduces the calorific value of the surface when it is applied. A properly coated surface will be able to withstand fires with temperatures as high as 1000°C for two hours. Given the length of time and the temperature at which the paint can retard fire, reports have regarded the paint as virtually incombustible.
Gurudath Patalay, the strategic consultant and head of marketing for Esskay Laboratories, stated that the paint will lower the chances of combustible materials to catch fire. This will then reduce the propagation of fire in a burning building, saving assets and human life as well.
Firolac was initially manufactured in the outskirts of Hyderabad with a demonstration of efficiency around Ahmedabad and Delhi. The paint brand currently has a global patent, making it the only paint or wall coating that can withstand a 1000°C heat for two hours.
Patalay pointed out that the paint has end-user requirements such as a thickness of 2mm to 4mm when applied to a surface. He later pointed out that the paint is well suited for hospitals, schools, corporate offices, banks, and refineries.
However, Firolac's level of fire resistance comes with a price. The new fire-retardant paint costs around 30% more than other conventional paint brands in the market. Still, Patalay pointed out that other existing paint products fail at fires over 500°C.
To add to the benefits of Firolac, the paint brand also has lower volatile organic compounds (VOC), making it less toxic during application than most famous paints. Patalay pointed out that this also classifies Firolac under environmentally friendly building materials.
According to Dr. Kishor Pothula, one of the innovators of the product and a scientist at Esskay Laboratories, the innovation and development of Firolac took about 10 years. Pothula explained that fires start at 300° and would later reach 800° for as fast as 30 minutes. By this time, all other surface coatings would have failed. The Esskay Lab scientist pointed out that this means the toxic gas has been released into the air as well.
Pothula added that the main challenge in developing Firolac was the type of additive for the paint to make it last longer in fires, even if it reaches much higher temperatures. In the end, the added challenge that the additive formula should not disturb the original properties of the paint was met by the team.
While Firolac only has a 12-month shelf life in its container, it will last for about 7 to 8 years after it is applied. Such innovation in building materials could potentially avoid losses and save lives.
