Protecting Life and Assets

KBS Industrial Fireproofing Cable Coating & Spraying for Fire Protection

Refer to our downloads page for complete technical information.

KBS Industrial Coating is an FM Approved, water-based, ablative fireproofing material especially developed for the fire protection of grouped or bundled electrical cables and penetration seals.

The main function of our fire stopping system is to prevent flame propagation along vertical and horizontal cable ways. KBS Industrial Coating will also delay short circuit, whereby circuit integrity depends on the distance of the cables from fire and the incurred temperature. KBS fireproofing coating is easily applied by conventional methods such as spray and brush, as well as by hand (see application data).

How does a fire stopping system using an ablative coating work?

KBS Industrial Coating protects electrical cables through ablation as opposed to insulation. Energy is consumed or generated to change a material from one condition or state to another.

Processes consuming energy are called "endothermic." Some materials need large amounts of energy to decompose or break down. A good ablative composition, as used in our fire stopping system, requires a maximum amount of energy to decompose. KBS fireproofing material, when exposed to fire, starts to ablate by chemical and physical reactions (for instance: evaporation, chemical cracking, melting). This ablation consumes large amounts of energy (heat) while keeping the cable relatively cool (for a certain length of time, as the process is self sacrificial).

The gases and vapors generated during the ablative process push oxygen away from the surface, dilute flammable gases preventing them from burning and interrupt the "chain reaction" of the fire chemically. After decomposition of all organic components, a solid structure of inorganic components remains offering further protection by insulation.

KBS Industrial Coating

• Lasts for the lifetime of the cables
• Does not derate your electrical cables
• Is totally weather and water resistant
• KBS Industrial Coating has an LOI value of 100 (Limiting Oxygen Index).

KBS Industrial Coating prevents flame propagation on cables, thus keeping a cable fire localized to its source, even if some minor damage to the most exposed cables may be sustained.

According to studies by the British Central Electricity Generating Board, a fire on vertical cable ways can spread 20 m per minute. Flame spread on KBS fireproofing material coated vertical cables in the 40 minute IEC 332-3 test has been restricted to less than 10 cm (see list of international test results).

Chemical Compatibility

The KBS Coating fire stopping system has been tested for compatibility with close to 90 chemicals and has been found to be unaffected by those most frequently found in industrial installations such as diesel fuel, ethylene glycol, fuel oil, lubricating oil, turbine oil and many others.

Flexibility

KBS Industrial Coating is highly flexible (see technical data).

Endurance/ Lifetime

The KBS fireproofing material lasts for the lifetime of cables.

Mechanical Resistance

The KBS fire stopping system is tough enough to sustain physical abuse such as walking on coated cable trays.

Ampacity

KBS fireproofing material does not affect the current carrying capacity of electrical cables. The FM test states "no derating required"

Why Does KBS Industrial Coating Require NO Derating?

KBS Industrial Coating protects electrical cables through ablation and not through insulation. It is dense and thermally conductive during normal cable operating temperatures. Its thermal conductivity is better than that of PVC. The fire stopping system increases the circumference (surface) of the cable or cable bundle. The surface area is further increased by the comparative roughness of the coating (radiator effect). This enlarged surface allows more heat to dissipate. The cable temperature, therefore, does not increase.

Human Health Compatibility

The KBS fire stopping system is in no way affecting the human health system, it is non-toxic, solvent-free, phosphate-free, and does not contain asbestos or any other substance identified as being carcinogenic. KBS Industrial Coating is practically odourless and does not affect the human skin.

Weather and Water Resistance

KBS fire stopping material is permanent protection under all weather and climate conditions. A thirty-year (30) outdoor test, documented by the University of Brauschweig, found that the KBS Industrial Coating fire stopping system is still performing the same as freshly produced material. Here cables had been exposed from highest summer heat to snow and ice, part of their length being constantly immersed in water.