Global coatings manufacturer Hempel launched its Hempafire Pro range of passive fire protection coatings in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The products maintain the stability of steel structures in the event of a fire for up to 120 minutes to enhance building safety.

Passive fire protection (PFP) coatings insulate steel during a fire, which extends the steel’s load-bearing capacity and gives valuable extra time for evacuation and emergency response.

Hempel’s Hempafire Pro PFP range consists of two intumescent coatings. Hempafire Pro 315 provides up to 90 minutes cellulosic fire protection and is optimised for 60 minutes. Hempafire Pro 400 provides up to 120 minutes cellulosic fire protection and is optimised for 90 minutes. Both coatings deliver very low loadings, which can improve project efficiency.

“We’re very pleased to be launching our Hempafire Pro range in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean,” said Roger Soler, Hempel’s Group Product Manager, Cellulosic PFP. “The coatings help protect property and people during a fire and we believe they will be welcomed by building owners, steel fabricators and contractors, providing the same success as we have seen in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia.”

“The coatings are very attractive for applicators and specifiers. The exceptionally low loadings help to reduce both total paint consumption and the number of coats required. This in turn means our intumescent coatings dry faster than similar coatings, which helps to speed up project completion times,” he added.