New Paint Could Prevent Spread of Bushfires
The paint was formulated by engineers at the University of New South Wales Sydney, in partnership with Flame Security International. This team spent five years perfecting the formula, ensuring that the paint incorporated the best fire-retardant properties.
The product, branded as FSA Firecoat, is an intumescent paint designed to expand as a result of heat exposure. Additionally, the chemicals in the paint produce a thick layer of char to offer an insulating barrier and deflect the heat from the fire away.
Special additives included in the paint mix formula promote the growth of the char, which is the most important insulating element. The char helps the substrate, that is your house or your building, stay protected from the fire.
One of the advantages of the new paint is that it does not need any special equipment to apply it, meaning it can be brushed or sprayed onto a variety of surfaces such as timber, aluminium, steel, concrete, plasterboard, and brick.