Blog

At Permax, we offer more than just access to passive fire rating solutions and products. We offer products, expertise, fire engineering advice and product application. This means that we have exposure to many different product types let alone products.
What this gives us is deep insight into what the market has to offer allowing us to make determinations as the best products for the Australian market. Whilst we do not offer many of the products available elsewhere around the world, we do use and recommend a number of different Nullifire products and for good reason.

Let’s start with the basics: There are solvent-based and water-based intumescents which exist in the market. Aside from the obvious comparisons between the two types, there are a number of other things people should know about water-based and not-for-steel intumescents.

As with all things in life, there are multiple opinions on what makes something good. When it comes to fire rating, there is no single treatment which everyone agrees on either. Some people focus on price, others on ease of application, others on suitability for conditions. And others again, on some combination of all these and more.
At Permax, we have our own beliefs, and we're going to share them with you. 

The genre around buildings and construction or building maintenance are hardly "sexy" topics. So, it's no wonder that when it comes to building protection, fire rating hardly rates a mention (no pun intended). When you see scenes in a movie where a building is on fire, you see images of fire suppression systems (extinguishers, drenching systems, smoke alarms). These can be dramatised so they have appeal. But you never see a closeup of the steel stressing under heat. It is just not that exciting.
But exciting or not, it needs to be something you know about - so have a read and see what you pick up

Are you looking to find out an answer to a timeless question – what are intumescents? If so, then this is for you. We break down the science, the process and the advantages in this blog. 

Love her or hate her, people like Greta Thunberg are forcing people to talk about sustainability and the environment and this is in turn forcing industries to consider change. So how is the construction sector keeping up with calls for sustainability? We’re going to dive into it and give you some insight.

The goal of a fire safety plan is to ensure that not only do you mitigate the risks of the fire, but most importantly, that you secure the highest chance of survival for all in the building. A key is to have a safety plan, to test it regularly and – though less discussed when it comes to talking about keeping people safe, making sure that you employ both active and passive fire protection systems to reinforce your structure’s fire safety. There are a few other tips which we think you may also want to consider.

We are at a stage where protection of our buildings and structures is no longer dependent on physical, tangible defence lines. Rather, through technology, we are now at a juncture where buildings themselves can alert us to what is going on, allowing faster, more rapid responses and fit-for-purpose action.

It is a given that fire protection on all structural steel is critically important. However, did you realise just how important the role of bolt caps are in ensuring that the steel is protected as much as it can be? 

In our blog published just last month, we delved into understanding what constitutes a cellulosic fire. It is only fitting then that this week, we stop to understand Hydrocarbon fires and why they are so very different to cellulosic ones

Cellulosic fire is a standard fire category that carries fire protection ratings of “A”, “B”, and “F”. But because technical things can get a touch overwhelming at times, we thought we’d break it down in this weeks’ blog. 

Samia Razzaque - our Technical Services Manager - won the coveted Young Achiever of the Year Award this year and we couldn't be prouder! 
 

With a growing push by governments and industry bodies around the world, the construction is seeing a shift to employ sustainable materials that help protect the environment in the long run. In this piece we take a deep dive into the changes which will impact your next project. 

When people refer to fire engineering, they sometimes shorten it to just engineering, but the reality is the two terms are not interchangeable. In this article, we will tackle the broader definition of fire engineering, the associated tasks, and how it will greatly benefit you in building your structure so you can understand the difference to structural engineers.

Although we can expect to see forward-looking buildings in terms of exterior aesthetics, the future of building construction will be founded on making work more efficient, environment-friendly, safe, and cost-effective by using a range of revolutionary technologies. Let's take a look at what they are.

The difference between Cellulosic fires and Hydrocarbon fires extends beyond the temperature and the fuel sources. Each of these fires has a unique behaviour which can be noted in duration, growth rate and peak combustion. In this piece we investigate the main differences.

If you are keen to learn what type of topcoats you should use for structural steel based on environmental exposure and the intumescent paint system being used, read on!

Fire rated, that's the same as fire proof right? Actually, no, the term fire proof or fire proofing is incorrect and far from interchangeable with the term fire rated. In this blog we explain why and provide some insight into why you should never use the word fireproof ever again!

All in all, fire has the potential to be a destructive force that can take lives, equipment and buildings. Yet, through some simple precautions, you have the ability to limit the devastation and ensure the safety of your employees and building occupants! In this blog we explore what you can do to ensure the safety of those you are responsible for. 

Unsure which fire extinguisher is the best for your office or warehouse? Not sure what the diffrerent colours mean for each extinguisher? We break it all down for you in this blog.

As often as not with construction, a primary consideration is price, thus, price optimisation involves customising steel selection on a steel frame building so that the reduction in passive fire protection cost is far greater than the cost to increase the weight of steel to achieve similar outcomes. However, as a newer field of speciality in the overall construction industry, much remains unknown or misunderstood with regards to how to apply fire protection and indeed, how much is required for both optimal performance at an optimal price. The context of this piece is to prove the benefits of conscious steel selection with fire rating in mind. 

Offsite construction (often referred to as modular construction) is the technology-driven intersection of design, fabrication and pre-planning processes for construction.
In this piece, we wanted to discuss the advantages of modular construction and how fire rating can be a piovtal component in safeguarding your structure and doing it for less.

It is one of the most crucial aspects in building construction, yet fire engineering is a serious matter that many property managers  have little to no understanding of. Find out why it is important and how fire safety checks can be performed prior to opening a structure to the public.

Off-site application within the construction industry has recently been adopted for a variety of commercial and industrial projects.  The number of construction processes being carried out offsite these days is increasing to save on time and cost. 
The answers for why you can save time and money are varied, so read on and learn why. 

Do you understand the requirements of with AS 1530.4:2014 or even know how the testing criteria are determined? If not, then give us 3 minutes of your time and we will give you a snapshot overview. 

What is ahead for us in the construction industry in the upcoming year? Check out what our the Permax team have to say about the year to be.

Not all fires are created equal. Yet, whilst each fire has it's own distinct signature it is possible to separate fires into two broad categories - Cellulosic and Hydrocarbon. In this piece we discuss the differences and why it is important to use the correct fire rating materials.  

Thin film intumescent, fire spray, core-filled steel, active supression. These are just some of the terms you may have heard when it comes to fire rating. But do you know when core-filled steel should be something you should consider in tandem with thin film intumescent? Do you know when to core fill and why?

As a professional you will be aware that learning doesn't stop the moment you leave university. In fact, for those in construction, you have a requirement to ensure you continue professional development all your career. Learning about new passive fire protection trends, requirements, regulations, and technologies is a valuable way to earn CPD points, but also stay in the know about fire safety. 
And at Permax we offer a range of CPD point presentations.

Fire retardant chemicals help prevent or delay combustion and are generally used in both commercial and consumer products.  A material that is fire resistant should have a certain degree of flammability standard and protection.  Some fire retardant materials may contain chlorine or bromine and phosphorous which is bonded to carbon.  In the U.S., major uses for these chemicals include building insulation, furniture, electronics, wires and cables, and polyurethane foams.

While cementitious coating is a reliable passive fire resistance technology, it is clear that in terms of cost-effectiveness, level of fire protection, ease and flexibility in application, low overhead costs, and wide availability, the choice of an intumescent coating is best when it comes to protecting structural steel from fire.
Fireproofing professionals are often torn between intumescent coating and cementitious coating to protect buildings from flames. In this article, we’ll look into the strengths and weaknesses of each one and find out which one is ideal for passive fire protection. ​

One of the most aspects in the process of constructing new buildings and renovating old structures is analysing the fire risk factor of your chosen building materials. Aside from compliance to fire safety grading standards, this is also done in order to help building owners put a damage control plan and fire protection strategy in place, in case an unfortunate event happens.

The development of the Crown Casino complex in Sydney is moving ahead, as evidenced this week by the delivery of the first of four, 29.5m long, 2m deep, 50-tonne welded plate girders.

Check out this video to get an idea of just how big this girder really is!

The specification of a waterborne intumescent coating, including application of a top seal (finish coat), does not automatically qualify the system as being suitable for use in external environments.  When exposed externally to rain and UV, the durability performance of any coating system is put to the test.  In the case of intumescent coatings the incorrect specification of the coating for the particular exposure conditions can ultimately lead to a severe degradation in the fire performance of the coating.

The planning of a new building is a time and labour intensive process. Architects and engineers alike spend hour upon hour planning meticulous details, yet too often they forget one key element - passive fire rating.