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Spray polyurethane foam is a high-performance insulation material, but like Other foam plastics, it may require an approved protective covering or coating depending on where it is installed and how the space is used. ISO uses specialized intumescent coatings to provide the required fire protection for qualifying spray foam assemblies.

All of the spray foam systems ISO installs are tested to AC 377 Appendix X requirements where applicable to the foam system. When a project requires an ignition barrier or an alternative thermal barrier, ISO uses tested coating systems from DC315 and No-Burn and applies them according to the requirements of the applicable tested assembly.

These terms are often used interchangeably. But they are not the same thing. The required level of protection depends on the location and use of the spray foam.

Thermal Barrier

A thermal barrier is intended to delay the rise in temperature of the foam and provide separation between the spray foam and an occupied interior space during a fire. Under the building-code frameworks addressed by the manufacturers, spray foam generally must be separated from the interior of a building by an approved 15-minute thermal barrier or an approved alternative assembly unless a specific exception applies.

A thermal-barrier coating is therefore used when the spray foam is exposed to an area that requires this higher level of protection. DC315 and No-Burn Plus ThB are examples of intumescent coating systems that manufacturers identify for use as alternative thermal-barrier assemblies when the specific foam and coating combination has been tested and approved.

Ignition Barrier

An ignition barrier provides a different level of protection. It is intended to protect the spray foam from ignition in qualifying unoccupied spaces where building codes permit an ignition barrier instead of a full thermal barrier.

A common example is an attic or crawlspace that is accessed only for servicing utilities or mechanical equipment and is not used for storage. Whether an ignition barrier is permitted depends on the applicable code, the configuration of the space, and the tested assembly.

An ignition barrier should never be treated as automatically interchangeable with a thermal barrier. The required protection has to be determined from the actual application and the applicable code requirements.

Intumescent coatings react when exposed to high heat. The coating expands and forms a protective char layer over the treated substrate. That char layer helps shield the spray foam and slows the rise in temperature and progression of combustion.

The purpose is not to make the spray foam or the building fireproof. The coating is part of a tested fire-protection assembly designed to provide the level of protection established by the applicable testing and evaluation.

DC315

• DC315 is a water-based intumescent coating designed for use over spray polyurethane foam. The manufacturer describes DC315 as an alternative thermal-barrier or ignition-barrier coating for qualifying SPF assemblies.
• DC315 has been tested over a range Of open-cell and closed-cell spray foam systems. The important point is that the coating must be used with a foam and assembly covered by the applicable DC315 testing and approval. The required coating thickness and coverage rate depend on the specific foam system and tested assembly.
• DC315 is designed to be applied by spray, roller, or brush, according to the manufacturer's application requirements. ISO uses DC315 where the applicable tested assembly calls for it.

NO-BURN

• ISO also uses NO-BURN intumescent coating systems for qualifying spray foam applications. NO-BURN's product line includes coatings specifically designed to provide thermal-barrier and ignition-barrier protection over spray polyurethane foam.
• NO-BURN Plus ThB is described by the manufacturer as a spray-applied thermal-barrier and fire-resistant coating for spray foam. It can be used as a component of an alternative thermal barrier, alternative ignition barrier, and certain exterior fire-rated wall assemblies when the specific tested assembly permits its use.
• NO-BURN ThB Spray Seal is designed for use over both open-cell and closed-cell spray foam and combines Class II vapor-retarder, thermal-barrier, and ignition-barrier functions in one coating system for qualifying applications.

Appendix X and Fire Coatings

• AC 377 Appendix X is an important part Of the spray foam fire-protection discussion, but it is not the samle thing as a 15-minute thermal-barrier assembly. Appendix X testing addresses ignition barrier performance for qualifying applications. A thermal-barrier application requires the appropriate thermal-barrier testing and approved assembly.
• ISO's spray foam systems are Appendix X tested where applicable. When the project requires an additional protective coating, we select the coating and application based on the actual foam, location, assembly, and required level of protection.

Color Options

• Fire-protective coatings do not have to leave the finished foam looking like a construction coating.
• Depending on the product and tested application, ISO can provide finished coating colors in white, gray, or black. Product-specific color availability, approved topcoats, and tested assembly requirements must be confirmed for the project.

Fire-protective coatings are not interchangeable paints. The performance of a coating depends on the foam it is installed over, foam thickness and density, coating thickness, application rate, substrate, and the complete tested assembly.

For that reason, ISO does not simply choose a coating because it is labeled as a thermal or ignition barrier. We identify the spray foam system and the required protection first, then use the manufacturer's approved testing and application requirements for that combination.

Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Applications

Fire coatings can be used in a wide range of spray foam applications, including attics, crawlspaces, interior commercial spaces, industrial facilities, and other assemblies where the applicable code or project specifications require protective treatment.

For commercial and industrial projects, ISO can coordinate the coating system with the larger spray foam installation, including containment, access, production schedules, and the requirements of the finished assembly.

The question is not simply, 'Does the foam have fire protection?' The correct question is, What level of protection does this specific assembly require? ISO evaluates the application and uses the appropriate tested coating system to meet the requirements of the project.

Whether the project calls for an ignition barrier in a qualifying attic or crawlspace, an alternative thermal barrier over exposed spray foam, or another approved fire-protection assembly, ISO can provide the coating system and professional application.

Insulation Systems Of Oklahoma uses DC315 and NO-BURN products for spray foam fire-coating applications. Contact ISO to discuss the foam system, building use, and fire-protection requirements for your project.

Manufacturer References

DC315: International Fireproof Technology / current SOPREMA product documentation describes DC315 as an intumescent coating compatible with qualifying spray polyurethane foam and suitable as an alternative thermal or ignition barrier when used within its tested assemblies.

NO-BURN: No-Burn manufacturer documentation describes No-Burn Plus ThB and ThB Spray Seal as intumescent coatings for qualifying spray polyurethane foam thermal- and ignition-barrier applications