Apex completed project
Timber Square – Structural Steel Intumescent Fire Protection — Bankside, London, SE1 0NZ
I spent just over three weeks in London completing specialist passive fire-protection work at Timber Square, 25 Lavington Street, Bankside. The project is a major commercial office development in central London, with impressive views overlooking The Shard.
I was responsible for applying intumescent fire-protection coatings to selected structural steel supports throughout the building. The steelwork included beams, columns, diagonal braces, connections and other load-bearing structural members.
Because the size, section factor and fire exposure of each steel member varied, the required coating thickness was not identical throughout the building. Each section had to be treated in accordance with the project’s fire-protection specification and loading requirements.
Sherwin-Williams FIRETEX FX1003 and FIRETEX FX6010 were used to achieve the specified fire performance. On some of the more demanding steel sections, the completed intumescent dry-film thickness exceeded 4 mm, equivalent to more than 4,000 microns.
LocationBankside, London, SE1 0NZ
Building typeLarge multi-storey commercial office development incorporating structural steel, concrete and engineered timber
Service90-minute intumescent fire protection applied to selected structural steel beams, columns, supports and bracing
Coating systemSherwin-Williams FIRETEX FX1003 single-component, solvent-based thin-film intumescent coating Sherwin-Williams FIRETEX FX6010 ultra-fast-drying, high-build intumescent coating Compatible approved primer system Controlled airless-spray application Progressive wet-film and dry-film thickness inspections Specified dry-film thickness exceeding 4 mm (4,000 microns) on selected structural members The products were applied in accordance with the individual steel loading requirements to provide the specified 90-minute structural fire resistance.
ColoursSherwin-Williams manufacturer’s Light Grey · White intumescent finish No separate decorative RAL colour was specified for this stage of the fire-protection system.
Before work began
Original condition
The selected structural steelwork consisted of a combination of beams, columns, supports, diagonal braces and complex connection areas. Much of the steel had already received an approved primer but still required its specified intumescent coating system to provide passive protection during a fire.
The different steel sizes and configurations created varying coating requirements. Beams positioned directly beneath concrete floors could have three-sided fire exposure, while free-standing columns, braces and supports could be exposed on all four sides.
Bolted connections, internal angles, junctions and restricted areas around the supporting structure also required careful application to ensure complete and consistent coverage.
The Apex standard
Preparation
Before coating commenced, I inspected the selected steelwork and checked that the surfaces were suitable for application. Dust, loose material and surface contamination were removed, and any damaged or unsuitable areas of primer were identified and rectified before the intumescent system was applied.
Surrounding concrete, timber, completed surfaces, access equipment and adjoining areas were carefully protected to control overspray and maintain a clean working environment.
Particular attention was given to edges, bolts, connections, internal angles and difficult-to-access sections. The FIRETEX coatings were then applied progressively in controlled passes, allowing the necessary drying time between applications.
Film build was monitored throughout the work. Wet and dry-film thickness readings were used to confirm that the required loading was being achieved without relying simply on the number of coats applied. Selected sections required more than 4 mm DFT, equal to over 4,000 microns of cured intumescent coating.
Completed finish
The result
The completed work provided selected structural steel beams, columns, supports and bracing with a professionally applied intumescent fire-protection system designed to meet the building’s specified 90-minute fire-resistance requirement.
Every section was built up to its required dry-film thickness, with some demanding members receiving more than 4 mm, or over 4,000 microns, of intumescent coating. Particular care was taken around connections, bolts, edges and restricted areas to maintain continuous protection across the structural steelwork.
The FIRETEX system produced a consistent light-grey and white finish while delivering essential passive fire protection to the building’s load-bearing steel structure.
This was a technically demanding central London project requiring accurate application, careful access planning and close control of coating thickness. The completed steelwork was left protected and ready for inspection and the next stage of the Timber Square development.
