Webinar Highlights
Practical Intumescent Coating Strategies for UK Infrastructure (Refurbishment Projects)
Refurbishment has become a dominant force in the UK infrastructure landscape, driven by cost efficiency, sustainability goals, and the demand for high-quality, well-located Grade A office space. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, asset owners are increasingly choosing to reuse and upgrade existing structures – particularly in prime urban locations where land availability is limited and environmental targets are tightening.
In markets such as London, refurbishment now accounts for the vast majority of leasing activity, reflecting both investor appetite and occupier expectations.
However, refurbishment projects introduce a fundamentally different set of challenges compared to new build construction – especially when it comes to fire protection and intumescent coatings. Unlike new builds, refurbishment requires teams to inherit not only the structural steel but also legacy design assumptions, historical coating systems, and often incomplete documentation. This creates a high level of uncertainty that must be carefully managed.
One of the key risks lies in the fact that existing intumescent coatings may have been designed for entirely different fire strategies, load conditions, or regulatory frameworks. Changes such as increasing building height, altering floor layouts, exposing structural steel, or repurposing internal spaces can significantly impact fire resistance requirements. In some cases, other fire protection measures such as fire-resistant ceilings are removed, placing greater reliance on the intumescent coating system itself.
The post-Grenfell regulatory environment has further intensified scrutiny. There is now a strong emphasis on traceability, accountability, and lifecycle responsibility, reinforced by legislation such as the Building Safety Act.
Stakeholders including regulators, insurers, and asset owners – expect clear evidence that fire protection systems are not only compliant at installation but remain suitable throughout the building’s lifecycle. This shift has elevated intumescent coatings from a compliance-driven specification to a critical life safety system requiring robust governance.
To address these challenges, a structured assessment methodology is essential. The webinar introduces a practical framework built around evaluating three key factors: condition, capability, and capacity.
- Condition focuses on visible performance – assessing defects such as cracking, blistering, corrosion, or poor adhesion.
- Capability considers whether the coating can meet new fire or environmental exposures resulting from design changes.
- Capacity evaluates whether the applied thickness is sufficient to meet current fire resistance requirements, which may differ significantly from historical standards.
Based on this assessment, four strategic approaches referred to as the “4Rs” – can be applied: reuse, repair, refurbishment, or replacement.
Reuse offers the lowest cost and disruption but requires strong evidence that the system is fit for purpose.
Repair and partial refurbishment introduce increasing levels of intervention, while full replacement provides the highest level of certainty but at significantly greater cost and programme impact.
Ultimately, refurbishment projects demand a shift from assumption-based decision-making to evidence-based engineering.
By combining detailed surveys, validated specifications, and controlled execution, project teams can transform uncertainty into a structured and defensible process. This not only reduces technical and commercial risk but ensures that fire protection systems deliver their intended performance – protecting both life safety and long-term asset value.
For more details, watch the full webinar presentation.
Discover our comprehensive range of specifications, product selection and failure investigation services – all aspects of coatings including intumescent passive fire protection.
For more information about Passive Fire Protection coatings, or to discuss your requirements, please contact us at enquiries@safinah.com
