A waterborne cellulosic passive fire protection (C-PFP) product that helps infrastructure projects maintain certified fire performance while supporting lower material consumption and specified material-related environmental impact was recently launched by coating solutions supplier Hempel.

Developed for civil infrastructure projects, the new product is designed to protect interior steel structures while helping customers reduce paint consumption and total application costs.

Part of the company’s C-PFP range, Hempafire Optima 515 is designed to provide protection for steel exposed to cellulosic fire scenarios, offering fire ratings of up to 150 minutes. It has been tested in accordance with the BS 476 standard and certified by the third-party certification body ApplusFire.

“Passive fire protection has always been about safety, but today’s projects also require more efficient application and reduced material consumption,” says Hempel A/S product manager: C-PFP Roger Soler. “With Hempafire Optima 515, we are strengthening our waterborne PFP offering for civil infrastructure projects while helping customers meet certified fire protection requirements and improve efficiency on site.”

The product is specifically suited for low- to mid-section factor open steel sections, which represent a large share of structural steel fire protection projects. Its advanced thermal insulation performance delivers certified fire protection with reduced dry film thickness requirements, aimed at ensuring optimised material consumption while maintaining compliance.

Hempafire Optima 515 features a high 75% solids content and can be applied up to 1.5 mm dry film thickness/coat and dries rapidly to a smooth finish. This enables most steel sections to achieve the required fire protection rating in two coats.

Hempel asserts that its new product results in a faster, more streamlined application process that reduces labour requirements, shortens project timelines, minimises downtime and lowers overall project costs.

The launch is complemented by Hempafire Optima 510, a versatile solution engineered for lightweight steel sections. The two products allow specifiers to select the appropriate coating for different section requirements within the same project.

Both coatings feature very low volatile organic compounds content and emissions and are supported by independently verified Environmental Product Declarations that provide documented environmental information that may assist project teams in meeting green building certification requirements.

Hempafire Optima 515 has initially been launched in the Middle East, with expansion to additional countries to follow.