Top 10 SteelMaster FAQs

Read the 10 most frequently asked questions about Jotun’s SteelMaster range and find out if it’s the best fire protection option for your structure.

1. What is SteelMaster?

SteelMaster is Jotun’s range of thin film intumescent coatings which can be used to protect structural steel against cellulosic fire for anywhere between 30 minutes and 180 minutes. SteelMaster is typically used in airports, shopping malls, factories, buildings and power plants.

2. What is thin film intumescent fire protection?

Thin film intumescent coatings provide reactive fire protection. The thin coating, covering structural steel, swells to insulate the steel work during a fire. Due to the changing physical form, fire protection is achieved by thermal insulation that provides a cooling effect.

SteelMaster and thin film intrumescent technology is superior to other types of fire protection for areas of buildings that require a decorative finish, or where the required fire protection time is normally below 180 minutes.

3. Which materials can SteelMaster be used for fire protection?

Jotun’s SteelMaster range is primarily applied to the structural steel used in a building/structured frame.
SteelMaster can be also used over galvanised steel providing the substrate is suitably primed and that the appropriate fire rating can be achieved through this.

4. Which materials do not require fire protection from SteelMaster?

There are no proven benefits for SteelMaster products to be used to fire protect stainless steel, wooden surfaces, concrete, aluminium, plaster, blockwork or bricks.

5. Can SteelMaster be used to fire protect structural steelwork for the oil and gas industry?

In areas where a hydrocarbon fire may occur, SteelMaster is not suitable. However, another Jotun product such as an epoxy intumescent coating like Jotachar would work for this sector.

6. What are some of the key benefits of SteelMaster?

The high quality aesthetic finish makes the SteelMaster range the preferred choice of the architects.In addition, SteelMaster provides efficient and economical solutions in the construction phase, making it the preferred choice of the applicators.

7. How long does the SteelMaster fire protection last?

Jotun as a company offer warranties, if the applied SteelMaster is maintained correctly in can last the lifetime of the building.

8. Is it recommended to have SteelMaster fire protection applied to all steel, including connecting steel sections i.e. bolt heads?

Yes. All sructural steel featured in a building is required to have fire protection throughout. Therefore, bolt heads and any adjoining steelwork should be suitably prepared, primed and protected with the same SteelMaster.

9. Which primers and topcoats can be used with the SteelMaster range?

Only primers and topcoats evaluated and approved by Jotun for compatibility, adhesion and fire performance should be used in a system with SteelMaster products, consult with your local Jotun representative for more information.

10. Can SteelMaster protection be applied on site to a structure?

Yes, this method provides many benefits for applicators: there is no touch up required from transport damage; there is a faster delivery and erection of steel from the procurement process is the fire protection is applied on site; and technical support is available when working with applicators to achieve the highest possible quality. This being said however, most intumescent coatings products can be applied both on and off site depending on conditions.

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