Fire Rated & Intumescent Paint in Sydney: Fire Resistant for Steel & Plasterboard
Why Fire-Rated Paint Is Essential for Modern Buildings
Steel plays a crucial role in Australian construction due to its strength, versatility, and cost efficiency. It is used to support everything from small residential structures to high-rise commercial towers. While steel is extremely strong, it has one major weakness: it begins to lose its structural integrity when exposed to heat.
At around 300°C, unprotected steel starts to weaken, and at higher temperatures it can bend, deform, and eventually collapse. In a structural fire, this deterioration can occur rapidly. Fire-rated paint provides a protective barrier that insulates the steel long enough for:
- Occupants to safely evacuate
- Firefighters to access and control the fire
- The structure to remain stable during the emergency
With the right coating system, structural steel can achieve up to 120 minutes of fire protection, dramatically reducing the risk of collapse and meeting Australian Building Code (BCA) requirements.
How Fire-Rated Paint Works
Fire-rated paints are engineered to delay the rise in temperature of steel or other building materials. They come in two main categories—intumescent coatings and fire-retardant coatings—and can be used together for maximum performance.
Fire Retardant Paint
Fire-retardant paint works by releasing a flame-suppressing gas when exposed to heat. This gas reduces oxygen levels around the fire, slowing ignition and preventing the flame from spreading rapidly. These coatings are commonly used on timber, plasterboard, MDF, and other combustible substrates.
Intumescent Paint
Intumescent coatings are the most commonly used form of fire-rated paint for steel. When exposed to temperatures of around 200°C, the paint expands dramatically, forming a thick, insulating char layer. This char barrier prevents heat from reaching the steel beneath it, maintaining structural performance for the required fire-rating period.
Using Both Systems Together
At Pro Plaster N Paint, we often combine both technologies depending on:
- The type of substrate
- Building classification
- Council or STRATA requirements
- Fire-resistance level (FRL) needed
This allows us to design a fully compliant and highly effective fire protection system for each project.
Our Expertise in Fire-Rated Coatings
Pro Plaster N Paint is one of the few certified applicators in Sydney with extensive expertise in fire-resistant coatings for structural steel. We work with top-tier products from DULUX and other accredited brands, ensuring every project meets Australian Standards and industry performance expectations.
Why Clients Choose Us
- Fully certified and licensed applicators
- Experience across commercial, industrial, and domestic sectors
- Proper substrate preparation for long-term durability
- Application methods tailored to surface, height, and risk factors
- Compliance documentation and certification available
- Ability to work alongside builders, engineers, STRATA managers & auditors
We understand that fire protection is not just a requirement—it is an essential life-safety measure that must be done right the first time.
Characteristics of Our Fire-Resistant Paints
1. Long-Term Durability
A fire-rated coating is only effective if applied correctly. Our technicians understand how fire-rated paint behaves on different substrates and ensure each layer is applied according to manufacturer specifications and AS/NZS standards. A properly applied system can last for decades without losing fire-resistance capabilities.
2. Certified 120-Minute Fire Protection
All coatings we use are independently certified and approved to meet Australian fire safety standards. Depending on the project, we can achieve:
- 30-minute FRL
- 60-minute FRL
- 90-minute FRL
- 120-minute FRL
Our team ensures the right coating thickness and number of layers based on engineering requirements and fire-rating specifications.
3. Suitable for Multiple Substrates
We can apply fire-rated coatings on:
- Structural steel
- Timber beams and frames
- Concrete walls or columns
- Plasterboard
- Composite materials
- Plastic-based substrates
Each substrate requires a different preparation method and coating formula, and our experience allows us to achieve the correct fire performance every time.
Additional Plastering & Building Services
Alongside fire-rated coatings, Pro Plaster N Paint provides a wide range of commercial and residential plastering services, including:
- Plastering
- Shop fitting
- Office & commercial fitouts
- Residential plastering
- Commercial plastering
- Fire-rated ceilings, walls & door systems
Our team can complete full fitouts or work alongside builders and architects as part of larger projects.
Benefits of Fire-Resistant Paint for Structural Steel
Cost-Effective
Compared to fireproof boards, concrete encasement, or bulky cladding systems, fire-rated coatings are much more affordable and require far less labour and installation time.
Minimal Impact on Design
Fire-rated coatings are thin and visually unobtrusive. They allow architects to maintain exposed-steel designs without compromising safety or aesthetics.
Versatile Application
We can apply coatings to:
- Steel beams
- Columns
- Joists
- Supports
- Fire doors
- Fire-rated walls and ceilings
This makes fire-rated paint a highly flexible solution for new builds, renovations, and remedial work.
Low Maintenance
Most fire-rated paint systems require only periodic inspections. Over time, a simple recoat can restore full fire-protection performance.
Fire Compliance & STRATA Building Services
We regularly work with STRATA managers and building owners to ensure their properties meet the required Fire Resistance Levels (FRLs). Our fire-rating services help clients pass:
- Council compliance audits
- Fire safety inspections
- Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS)
- Engineering assessments
- Insurance compliance requirements
As a notified body, we help identify which tests, coatings, and materials are required to bring a building up to current safety standards.
Fire Safety Requirements for Fitouts & Renovations
A major challenge in commercial fitouts is ensuring that fire-safety obligations are met before construction begins. Australian building codes require:
- Fire-rated walls and ceilings
- Fire-resistant doors and frames
- Fire separation between tenancy units
- Protected emergency exits within 20 metres
- Fire-rated structural steel
- Correct signage, access, and evacuation planning
When these requirements are not planned for, businesses can face:
- Costly redesigns
- Construction delays
- Failed compliance inspections
- Legal penalties
Our team works closely with architects, builders, and property owners to ensure all fire-rating elements are integrated early into the design phase.
Fire Door, Ceiling & Wall Construction
Beyond coatings, Pro Plaster N Paint also constructs and installs:
- Fire-rated partition walls
- Fire-resistant ceilings
- Fire doors and frames
- Smoke barriers and separation walls
- Acoustic and thermal-rated wall systems
We can inspect, repair, replace, or upgrade non-compliant fire systems to ensure ongoing safety and compliance.
Fire Resistance Assessments & Corrective Work
If you are unsure whether your building meets current fire-rating requirements, our team can conduct a full assessment. We provide:
- Fire resistance inspections
- Substrate and coating analysis
- Identification of non-compliant areas
- Detailed reporting
- Recommended corrective measures
- Remedial works to bring the building up to standard
Our aim is always to provide compliant, cost-effective solutions without placing undue financial strain on business owners.
Talk to Sydney’s Fire-Rated Coating Experts
Fire-rated coatings are a critical part of every modern building, and choosing the right applicator can make the difference between passing and failing a compliance audit. With years of experience and full certification, Pro Plaster N Paint provides reliable, high-quality fire protection solutions for all types of buildings across Sydney.
Whether you need fire-rated coatings for structural steel, walls, ceilings, timber, or an upcoming fitout, we’re here to help.
Call 1300 889 209 for a Free Quote
Or contact us for a full fire-rating assessment of your building.
Q: What type of partition is best for privacy?
Stud (Gyprock) partitions offer the highest level of acoustic and visual privacy, especially when combined with insulation.
Q: Are glass partitions soundproof?
Single-glazed glass offers moderate sound control, while double-glazed glass provides excellent acoustic performance suitable for meeting rooms and offices.
Q: How long does it take to install office partitions?
Most installations take between 1–5 days, depending on the size, complexity, and type of partition system selected.
Q: Can partitions be moved or reconfigured later?
Yes. Many aluminium and glass partition systems are demountable, making it easy to reconfigure your workspace as your business grows.
Q: Do partition walls meet fire safety regulations?
Yes. Fire-rated stud walls and specialised glazing systems can be installed to meet local building code requirements.