An all-in-one solution for the highest-specification architectural steel projects

Published : 9-Jan-2024

PPG STEELGUARD® 951 offers up to 3 hours of fire protection, corrosion resistance, and a sleek finish for structural steel—ideal for modern architecture with fast, durable, and aesthetic performance.

Advanced cellulosic passive fire protection (CPFP) solution meets fire protection, corrosion resistance and aesthetic standards.

Popular in the design of today’s civil buildings, structural steel demands a particular performance profile from a protective coating system. It must provide a high-quality, pleasing finish and protect the structure against corrosion, but most importantly, it must maintain the steel’s stability in the event of a fire.

The performance standard for structural steel is specifically tailored according to its function, such as buildings and structures designed for the commercial, institutional and industrial sectors. Along with safety measures such as fire protection and corrosion resistance, it is also important that the desired aesthetic finish can be achieved for each individual building project.

To fully meet these requirements, PPG Steelguard 951 flexible epoxy intumescent fire protection coating meets the demands of modern architectural steel construction, providing up to three hours of cellulosic fire protection. PPG Steelguard 951 is also designed to fulfil ISO 12944 C5 for corrosion protection and AESS 3 for aesthetic quality.

PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating is unique in combining this aesthetically pleasing finish with high corrosion protection and, most importantly, the ability to help to temporarily maintain the steel’s stability in the event of a fire. PPG’s research and development efforts result in an extremely low VOC, 100% solids epoxy cellulosic intumescent coating, contributing to the structure’s environmental rating.

Corrosion and fire protection

PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating expands at high temperatures – transforming from a very thin, lightweight film into a thick, foam-like layer that insulates the steel from cellulosic fires. It is this insulation that maintains the steel’s stability, providing up to three hours of cellulosic fire protection. This provides additional time for people to escape and firefighters to arrive, as well as limiting damage to buildings and assets.

This intumescent epoxy coating provides effective corrosion protection across a wide range of environments; from low-risk C1 settings such as heated office and school buildings, through to C5 areas such as industrial structures with high humidity and aggressive atmospheres, or coastal areas with high salinity.

Durable and fast construction 

Based on its patented flexible technology, PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating comes with excellent durability and edge retention properties which reduces the risk of cracks caused during handling and transportation. The coating also provides excellent crack resistance even in low temperatures. 

PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating can achieve up to 3500 microns dry film thickness (DFT) in a single coat and cures rapidly after application for a quick and efficient coating process. 

It is fast curing and can be painted within one day and is ready to be handled and transferred to site the next day. The coatings’ ease of application means that it can also be applied in modular yards or on-site. 

In addition, PPG Steelguard 951 epoxy intumescent coating is easy to apply. It has outstanding tolerance to exterior environments during on-site application, even in coastal areas. The coating can be applied by single or plural component airless spray or by trowel, which makes it flexible for applicators to choose the most suitable application method. 

It also enables applicators/fabricators to reduce time during application with a thickness of 3mm vs 50mm for alternatives. The 3:1 mixing ratio makes it easy for applicators to calculate before mixing. 

Aesthetics 

With PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating, there is no need to compromise on beauty or performance. In comparison with other coatings offering fire and corrosion protection, PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating is unrivalled in its outstandingly smooth, architectural finish. 

This epoxy coating enhances the appearance of structural steel to give a contemporary, industrial aesthetic that aligns with many modern design needs. 

PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating offers a cleaner appearance, with a more durable and aesthetically pleasing option than a traditional cementitious product, allowing the steel to remain pleasing to the eye without having to be hidden from sight. 

PPG’s expertise 

PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating is tested in accordance to recognized national and international fire and corrosion standards including EN 13381-8, BS 476, ISO 12944, GB 51249 and GB 14907 (for specified environments). Our engineers are experts in intumescent fire protection and are up to date with all relevant industry standards and fire ratings. They also have the engineering capability to support you with the implementation of your chosen products, through to project completion and beyond. PPG’s global supply chain network ensures that wherever your project is located, we will help you obtain access to the products you need. 

Case study 

A recent case study saw PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating being applied on a high-end luxury apartment in the North Bund area of Shanghai, China. The developer of the Shanghai North Bund HiTime Mansion Project required the very highest standard of coating performance for the main development, its parking apron and hotel. 

The challenge set for PPG Protective and Marine Coatings was to deliver a product that could provide 20+ years of durability for the complex, located close to the Huangpu River in the high-moisture environment of Shanghai. This durability must combine with a very high level of aesthetics and provide up to three hours of fireproofing for protection of residents and the public, criteria that PPG Steelguard 951 intumescent epoxy coating was able to meet.

Originally published in Gulf Fire.