The council said I need to upgrade the ceilings to achieve 30-minutes fire protection. Currently, ceilings have plasterboards. One contractor asked for about 8.5k to do the job (area to be covered is about 80m2). I felt this was a bit too much. I have contacted intumescent paint suppliers. One of them asked me to fill a form where I put all the details required for them to decide on type and quantities. I got a quotation for about 1.6k!!!
Now I need a decorator to apply the paint as per the requirements of the paint supplier.
My question: do I need to ensure the decorator has a special certification of licence to apply the intumescent paint?
I have read many articles which say, no need for a special certification … all u need is to follow the directions on the tin… I just want to be sure.
Appreciate your advice/feedback!
If the council have told you to upgrade the ceilings then they could possibly also tell you what would qualify as work that would achieve that. Have you tried asking them your question? I would imagine that if such a license exists (I have no idea) then as the council are required to enforce requirements, they would know if a decorator needs to be licensed.
Can you not buy fire board or fs 30 plaster board and skim
Get the material yourself
It is expensive but then you just need a regular plasterer and the labour won’t be escalated
The latter is expensive but it’s finite
I had to order fs30 board and could only find one supplier
many years ago i had to coat a wall with itu . I did it myself > Never heard of needing a decorator to do it .
Thanks Colin… I completely agree with you…I guess I am giving this more concern that I should. Having read articles on the application of intumescent paint, I believe as long as you stick to the directions on the tin, you are OK
Council gave two options (30-min fire rated plasterboards or intumescent paint to provide the 30-min fire protection). Nothing mentioned regarding the qualifications of the workforce in case we chose the intumescent paint option. The paint supplier and the paint datasheet did not mention anything either… I guess I am giving this more concern that I should. Having read articles on the application of intumescent paint, I believe as long as you stick to the directions on the tin, you are OK
I suggest you consider the intumescent paint option (if the council accepts it)… it could be much cheaper.
I thought all ‘pink’ plasterboard was 30 minutes fire resistance. I recall, when I renovated a house into a HMO, I put two layers on the ground floor ceilings for 60 minutes fire resistance.
What is the life span of that paint vs fs30 board?
The council have lots of cheap ideas up their sleeve but they may not have longevity
In our borough they use OCR to plaster for damp
It contains gypsum salts and it doesn’t work as a substrate on the walls
It also grows mould
They don’t look at the bigger picture of how long stuff lasts they just keep doing the work over and over at the tax payers expense
My mother always says fork out once not over and over again
Temporary measures are costly in the long run
I don’t have any experience of this paint but what happens if it peels or has a lifespan
If paint works out cheaper why can’t you do it yourself
It would be a lot cheaper than employing someone
Can you use regular paint on top of it ?
Not all merchants have it
I used it years ago and had to order it from Essex
Fire board is much more readily available where I am
I’ve just built a house and had to use intumescent paint, on kitchen ceiling, over specific fire retardant plaster. The edges of the plaster are a different colour from normal plaster and internal fire doors this was stipulated by building control.
The paint is expensive (had to be from a specialist supplier who provided a certificate with it and we kept the empty cans as proof). My regular builders applied the paint; it’s not that different from ordinary paint to apply. Building control signed it off.
Thank you
What is the longevity of the paint
Will it need to always be reapplied ?
Why have they specified the plasterboard and paint not one vs the other
We even had to apply the paint to the steel girders. I suppose using the intumescent paint and fire resistant plaster board gives longer time to leave the building. I don’t think it becomes inactive but probs best just to use it again in the specific areas when you redecorate. We def didn’t need to use a particular kind of licensed decorator. It goes on like ordinary paint.
It’s interesting
I was asked use fire board/ f30 plaster
I’ve not heard about the paint till now
I think the powers that be make stuff up as they go along
There is clear regional variations in specifications between local authorities and fire brigades
TBH our chap was pragmatic and worked with us for cost effective solutions
We have a flying freehold
We were asked to interlink alarms for both properties so that way everyone is notified if an issue arises and it gives everyone time to get out
Never heard of building control (and regs?) requiring the use of fire retardant plaster and intumescent paint - even if for a kitchen. I guess there must be instances when this is required? Is the house majority timber structure?
HMO
Flying free holds
Flats in blocks etc
Where there are people in individual units a building the regs have increased since Grenfell
Hi there I assume when you mention the council you are referring to building control ? Have building control asked you to make a building regulation application ( fee based on estimated cost of works ) for your proposed ceiling upgrade ? If so they will sign the work off after you have completed the upgrade and give you a completion certificate .
Sorry for coming back late. Yes, you are right. Good news, the work is nearly over and hopefully we will get the completion certficate soon.
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