In healthcare construction, safeguarding vulnerable occupants — from patients to medical staff — is paramount. As new or refurbished buildings come under the remit of the UK Building Safety Act, there is an urgent need for fire protection strategies.
Passive fire protection (PFP) is now recognised as a vital and reliable component that is integrated into structural systems to prevent or slow the spread of fire without relying on active systems such as sprinklers.
Intumescent coatings, which are applied to structural steel, exposed timber or wall panels, expand when heated to form a thermally insulating char.
This char layer slows the rise in temperature of key load-bearing elements drastically, thereby extending evacuation time and reducing the risk to life and to the continuity of care.
Flame retardant innovation: beyond compliance
At the core of the next generation of intumescent solutions lies ammonium polyphosphate (APP), a proven ingredient in modern coatings. Unlike active fire suppression systems, those based on APP only activate when exposed to heat. They expand to form a resinous char that insulates and maintains structural integrity in high-risk zones such as stairwells, corridors and operating theatres.
In healthcare construction, it is now more than ever necessary to balance flame resistance with environmental and regulatory demands.
Traditional APPs containing melamine have become controversial, particularly in Europe under REACH, where melamine is now classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC). This is because it has probable serious effects on human health and the environment. In response, the industry is shifting towards alternatives that are free from melamine and uphold safety without compromising sustainability.
Clariant’s Exolit (trademarked) AP series has been present on the market for over five decades. First produced in Germany in 1975, Exolit AP has since shaped industry norms in fire safety across the construction sector, from intumescent coatings to fire barrier systems.
The 2024 launch of melamine-free Exolit AP represents a breakthrough, providing SVHC-free performance across a range of PFP applications, including steel protection, insulation panels, and firestop systems.
Manufactured using 100% green electricity, products within the Exolit family have different niches. Such as AP 435 (which is renowned for its stability in water-based intumescent coatings), AP 418 (which activates earlier in solvent-based formulations) and AP 422 A (a melamine-free APP used in firestop products).
These offer architects, specifiers, contractors in healthcare construction and especially PFP formulators tailored solutions.
Building Safety Act: avenues for compliance and confidence
The Building Safety Act increases scrutiny of fire safety in all construction projects, particularly those involving
Not yet a Subscriber?
This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Building Better Healthcare.
Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.