How To Paint Rusted or Rusty Metal [Professionally & Understandable]
12 November 2025How to Claim House or Unit Painting on Your Taxes in Australia [Online Calculator]
16 November 2025
Painting contractors explain fire Retardant painting professionally
A complete guide for property owners, strata managers and builders regarding fire retardant painting.
Fire safety has become one of the biggest concerns for residential, commercial and strata buildings across Sydney. Whether you are renovating, building from scratch, or maintaining an older property, choosing the right fire rated or fire retardant paint system can make a massive difference. It protects the structure, slows the spread of flames, and gives occupants crucial extra time to evacuate in an emergency.
But here is the thing. A lot of people still think fire rated painting is just a "special type of paint" that gets rolled on like any normal coat. If only it were that simple. As painters in Sydney who have seen many jobs go wrong because the wrong system was chosen or applied incorrectly, we can tell you that fire safety coatings are a whole different ball game.
In this guide, I want to break things down in everyday language. Nothing complicated. Nothing salesy. Just good, helpful info. If you are planning a project, this will give you a solid understanding of what fire retardant painting services involve, where these coatings are used, and how to avoid common mistakes.
And yes, I will share a quick story from a job we did recently that taught us a good lesson about what can happen when builders underestimate the importance of choosing the right system.
Why Fire Retardant Painting Matters
Sydney has a mix of old timber homes, heritage terraces, newer apartments, warehouses and commercial buildings. Many of these structures were not built with modern fire safety requirements in mind.
Here are some reasons fire retardant coatings matter more than ever:
Higher density living
Older buildings
Changing weather
Compliance
What Is Fire Rated or Fire Retardant Paint?
Fire rated and fire retardant paints are specially formulated coatings designed to slow the spread of flames and reduce heat transfer. They help protect structural elements like steel, timber and internal walls during a fire.
There are two main categories:
Intumescent Coatings
These coatings expand (or foam up) when exposed to high heat. The expanding layer insulates the surface beneath, which helps maintain structural integrity. You see these used often on:
- Structural steel beams
- Columns in commercial buildings
- Car park steel framing
- Exposed steel in shopping centres
- High risk industrial sites
Fire Retardant Paints
These do not expand but are formulated to resist ignition and reduce flame spread. They are used on:
- Timber walls
- Plasterboard
- Doors
- Ceilings
- Plywood joinery
- Heritage properties that require extra protection without altering surfaces
Different brands have different certification levels, so always look for systems approved under Australian Standards (such as AS 1530.4 or AS 3837).
Structural Steel
In:
- Shopping centres
- Warehouses
- Commercial fit outs
- High rise basement columns
- Car parks
Purpose: Maintain load bearing capacity during a fire.
Timber and Plywood
Common in:
- Heritage terraces
- Cafes with timber interiors
- Childcare centres
- Timber ceilings or beams
- School multi purpose halls
Purpose: Reduce ignition and flame spread.
Plasterboard Walls and Ceilings
Used in:
- Apartments
- Townhouses
- Office fit outs
- Health and aged care facilities
External Facades
For example:
- Fibre cement
- Timber cladding
- Heritage buildings that need extra protection
Fire Doors
Fire retardant coating must match the door's certified system.
Car Parks
Steel framing and concrete surfaces can be protected with fire protective coatings.
Roof structures
Certain roof trusses benefit from flame spread reduction.
A Case Story From a Recent Job for Fire Retardant Painting
We were called to a commercial site in Parramatta where the builder had already painted the structural steel with normal water based paint. They assumed any thick paint would offer some insulation. When the certifier inspected the building, the whole thing failed fire safety compliance.
The builder was stressed because delays meant big money lost. We had to remove sections of the paint, prepare the steel, and apply the correct intumescent coating approved for 90 minute protection. It took extra labour and extra cost, but they got their sign off.
Lesson learned. Fire protective systems are not something you guess. It must be specified, documented and applied correctly.
The Process of Applying Fire Rated or Fire Retardant Paint
A big part of choosing professional painting services is making sure the painters actually know what they are doing. The process is different from normal residential painting.
Here is the step by step approach we typically take.
We check:
- Type of substrate
- Required fire resistance level
- Access and scaffolding
- Moisture levels
- Ventilation needs
- Certification and compliance requirements
This is crucial.
- Steel may need abrasive blasting
- Timber may require sanding
- Old coatings may need removal
- Surfaces must be dust free and dry
Depending on the specification, this can be applied via:
- Airless spray
- Brush
- Roller
Intumescent coatings need accurate thickness measurement.
The client receives:
- Product data sheets
- Safety data sheets
- Compliance certificates
- Maintenance recommendations
This keeps strata committees and builders in the clear during inspections.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Fire Rated Paint
- Using normal paint thinking it is fire retardant. Unfortunately, it does nothing for fire protection.
- Choosing the wrong certified system. Every surface requires specific certification.
- Not measuring film thickness. If the required thickness is not achieved, the system will not work.
- Painting over dirty or unprepared surfaces. This affects adhesion and performance.
- Using a non qualified painter. Fire coatings are specialised. An inexperienced painter can compromise the entire project.
- Ignoring ventilation requirements. Intumescent products dry differently from normal paints.
Fire Retardant Painting Customers
To make it more practical, here is how different industries benefit.
Strata and Apartments
- Protects common areas
- Helps pass fire safety inspections
- Reduces long term maintenance risks
Commercial Buildings
- Required for steel structures
- Essential for shopping centres and retail stores
- Supports insurance compliance
Schools and Childcare Centres
- Used in timber halls, classrooms and stage areas
- Reduces fire speed
- Supports WWCC compliant contractors
Heritage Buildings
- Fire retardant coatings protect old timber while maintaining appearance.
Industrial Facilities
- Warehouses
- Logistics centres
- Cold storage
- Production sites
Why Choose Us for Fire Retardant Painting
When choosing painters in Sydney for fire retardant work, experience and compliance matter.
We use certified fire rated systems, measure every coat for accuracy and follow all Australian Standards. Our team has real experience across Sydney buildings and provides full documentation for councils, certifiers and strata managers. You get honest advice, safe application and long lasting fire protection without any shortcuts.
Painters Link vs Other Painters
| Feature | Painters Link | Other Painters |
| Fire rated coating expertise | Specialists in fire retardant and intumescent systems for steel, timber and plasterboard | Basic understanding and often treat it like standard paint |
| Compliance with AS 1530.4 and NCC | Always compliant with documented proof | Often missing or incomplete compliance records |
| Digital film thickness testing | Every project measured with calibrated DFT gauges | Rarely measured which risks non compliance |
| Certified product selection | Only uses fire certified systems approved for Australian buildings | May use decorative paints that offer no fire protection |
| Experience across Sydney projects | Schools, warehouses, childcare centres, strata blocks, heritage sites | Limited experience with large or complex fire rated jobs |
| Documentation for approval | Full documentation pack including data sheets and reports | Minimal paperwork which leads to council or certifier delays |
| Surface preparation standards | Correct primer, substrate prep and moisture checks | Often skip steps to save time |
| Honest advice and risk assessment | We guide you on what system is actually needed | Usually follow the cheapest or easiest path |
| Project timing and access flexibility | Work weekends, nights or staged areas to avoid interruption | Rigid schedules that cause downtime |
| Long term durability | Correct systems for long term protection and performance | Coatings fail early due to wrong application or wrong product |
FAQs about fire retardant painting services
Final Thoughts
Choosing fire rated or fire retardant painting company is one of the most valuable steps you can take to protect a building. Whether you manage strata properties, run a business, or own a family home, having the right coating system gives you peace of mind.
In our experience, a well planned fire protection job can save thousands in future repairs, avoid compliance headaches and help keep occupants safe. Not every colour suits every building, and not every fire coating suits every surface. That is perfectly fine. The key is choosing the right system and having it applied by qualified painters who understand the details.
If you ever need advice about what coating your property needs or you are unsure where the fire retardant paint should be used, just reach out. We are always happy to help you figure things out in plain language.
Get a Free Quote
If you're planning an interior or exterior painting project that needs fireproof paints, so we can help.
