What is BS EN 16623 - Reactive coating paint standards about?

Even though steel itself is not flammable and will not emit any harmful gases under fire, fire poses a special challenge for the load-bearing structure of steel construction. The heat produced in case of fire may reduce the carrying capacity of steel girders, which will considerably be weakening the structural properties. A customised fire-protection concept is needed in order to counter the negative effects of fire.

BS EN 16623 applies to reactive coatings intended for the fire protection of steel and other ferrous substrates used as structural elements such as beams and columns, beams supporting composite steel deck floors and concrete filled hollow steel sections. The reactive coating can be applied directly to the substrate or over a priming system. The reactive coating may require a protective topcoat depending on the end service conditions.

Who is BS EN 16623 - Reactive coating paint standards for?

BS EN 16623 on reactive coating paint standards is useful for:

Manufacturers of paints and varnishes
Engineers using steel as the primary structure for construction
Concerned maintenance teams
Product development teams
Quality control teams

Why should you use BS EN 16623 - Reactive coating paint standards?

Fire-protection coatings as a passive fire-protection measure play an increasingly important role both in steel construction and in structures made of wood or concrete. Steel girders and steel supports lose their carrying capacity under load at temperatures above 500 °C. To prevent exceeding of this critical temperature in case of fire, effective fire protection is required in the form of a fire-protection covering or fire-protection coatings. The latter is particularly suitable when steel structures are to remain visible for reasons of design. This is often the case in steel hall construction.

BS EN 16623 provides you with guidelines on verification of durability, use of topcoats, primer compatibility, and emission of dangerous substances. In addition, BS EN 16623, also gives you details on the evaluation of conformity, sustainability, and marking. Using BS EN 16623 guidelines, you can relate to reactive coating systems intended to provide fire protection to metallic-based structural members, including various grades and types of steel. BS EN 16623 guidelines enable you to manufacture, reliable and high-quality coatings and to provide your end customers with a hazard-free atmosphere.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 16623:2015 supersedes BS 8202-2:1992. BS EN 16623:2015 includes an editorial change with respect to BS 8202-2:1992. Notably:

Supersession information added to national foreword on 31 March 2016

BS EN 16623:2015

Paints and varnishes. Reactive coatings for fire protection of metallic substrates. Definitions, requirements, characteristics and marking

Current, Under Review

Published:

28 Feb 2015