PPG Underscores Critical Role of Accurate Fire Testing in Passive Fire Protection

White paper explores testing protocols, best practices for better building safety

PPG announced the publication of a white paper exploring the crucial role that passive fire protection (PFP) testing plays in preserving the structural integrity of steel when fires occur in commercial and industrial buildings.

Understanding Fire Testing Practices for Cellulosic Passive Fire Protection Systems: A Critical Component of Structural Safety, emphasizes that accurate fire testing and compliance with industry standards are essential to ensure the reliability of PFP coatings. Variations in application thickness, building loads and environmental conditions can significantly impact performance; since malfunctioning products could put lives at risk, verifiable and reproducible test results are paramount.

“With evolving regulations and increasingly complex building codes, it is imperative that PFP systems undergo rigorous, accurate standardized fire testing to help ensure reliable performance,” said Richard Mann, PPG global product manager, passive fire protection, Protective and Marine Coatings. “We are committed to providing superior fire protection solutions and adhering to internationally recognized testing processes to remain a trusted coatings partner in the field.”

Key topics covered in the white paper include:

• An overview of intumescent PFP coating technologies, including PPG STEELGUARD ^® solutions
• Comparisons of fire testing standards (UL 263, ASTM E119, EN 13381-8, GB 14907)
• Testing protocols for restrained and unrestrained steel sections and assemblies
• The impact of system compatibility on fire protection performance, including the role of primers and topcoats
• Best practices to ensure compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) and other regulations

PPG utilizes in-house facilities, such as its dedicated UL-certified Global Fire Protection Technology Center and extensive third-party testing to develop products that meet and exceed global fire protection standards while also delivering operational advantages and appealing aesthetic finishes. The PPG PFP team has decades of experience working in the fire protection industry and extensive experience in structural engineering and fire engineering.

To download the white paper, click here. To learn more about PPG’s Protective and Marine Coatings business, visit ppgpmc.com.

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About PPG Industries

At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings, and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $18.2 billion in 2023. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets, and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

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Contact:

Zachary Madden – Protective and Marine Coatings – zmadden@ppg.com – (412) 328-1104

Source: PPG Industries, Inc.