Passive fire protection is vital in high-rise construction because the structure itself must withstand fire long enough for people to exit safely. Steel, a common material in tall buildings, loses strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures, compromising integrity during fires. To meet fire-resistance requirements, building codes mandate protective measures on structural elements.
Common solutions include fire-resistant boards, cementitious sprays, and intumescent coatings. Intumescent coatings are especially important for high-rise fire safety: they apply as thin films but “produce a thick char, which insulates the steel from fire,” expanding 15–30 times their original thickness in a fire. This char barrier dramatically slows heat transfer, making intumescents a less invasive, highly effective passive fire protection method.
Intumescent Coatings and High-Rise Design
At IFTI, we incorporate intumescent coatings as a key part of the passive fire protection ecosystem. When exposed to heat, our intumescent paints chemically react to form an insulating foam and char layer. For example, our DC360 fireproof coating (for wood, gypsum, and other combustibles) is tested to meet IBC/IRC fire-resistance codes and can boost the fire rating of floors, ceilings, and walls.
In practice, applying a few millimeters of DC360 over lumber, OSB, or drywall effectively increases life safety by adding time before fire can burn through the main material. Similarly, our DC315 thermal barrier coating is an ICC-approved intumescent paint for spray polyurethane foam (SPF). It meets the building code requirement that any exposed SPF be covered by a 15-minute alternative thermal/ignition barrier.
In other words, DC315 lets contractors treat foam walls or attics with a thin film paint instead of bulky board sheathing, saving space and labor while satisfying fire-resistance criteria. Both DC315 and DC360 exemplify how thin-film intumescents provide passive fire protection without heavy materials, which is especially valuable in high-rise construction.
North American Fire Codes & Contractor Collaboration
In North America, codes for high-rise fire safety explicitly require passive measures on combustible materials and structure. For instance, the International Building Code (IBC) mandates a 15-minute approved thermal barrier over all interior spray foam. Building regulations also specify fire-resistance ratings (often one to three hours) for steel columns, beams, floors, and walls, depending on occupancy and height.
Passive fireproofing systems – whether cementitious spray, gypsum board, or intumescent paint – are the means to meet these ratings. As one industry guide explains, passive systems like intumescent coatings are designed to “increase endurance” and extend the time before structural failure, allowing safe egress.
We ensure our products are fully tested against ASTM, UL/ULC, and NFPA standards so they satisfy all major code requirements.
We actively support contractors in deploying compliant passive fire protection. Spray foam installers can partner with us to substitute DC315 for traditional drywall barriers. We also offer free applicator training (the DC315 Certified Applicator Program) so that installers apply coatings correctly and meet fire-safety protocols.
For more information or to discuss a project, contact us! We are committed to partnering with builders and insulation contractors to deliver the passive fire protection needed in tall buildings – from concrete-encased steel to modern spray-foam assemblies – using code-approved intumescent coatings like DC315 and DC360. Our goal is the highest level of high-rise fire safety through proven, fully compliant coatings.