• Fire safety • Asbestos control • Anti-corrosion • Anti-shatter protection for glass • Waterproofing for balconies and walkways • Cosmetic concrete repair materials • Reemat reinforcement systems   FIRE SAFETY FIRECHECK The principal fire retardant coating in the our range is Firecheck, however, other coatings also exhibit excellent resistance to the spread of flame and achieve Class “0” fire ratings. Of particular note is Silcabond SP, a halogen-free, single pack mineral paint which exhibits very low smoke emission. Details are contained in the “Protective Systems for Walls” section. Firecheck is a water based coating which forms a tough, flexible, chemical resistant membrane with outstanding fire retardant properties. Suitable for both internal and external applications, it achieves the highest fire safety ratings to international standards including BS.476 Parts 3, 6 and 7. Upon curing, it is completely waterproof and forms an effective defence against aggressive elements such as chlorides, acid gases and atmospheric pollution. It presents an effective vapour barrier and is suitable for use over a wide range of common substrates. Available in a range of decorative colours, Firecheck is UV stable, so it remains highly elastomeric throughout its design life. Firecheck is backed by a successful track record spanning more than thirty years and is relied upon throughout the world by demanding organisations including petrochemical companies, NASA and the Ministry of Defence.   FIRECHECK TEXTURED Firecheck Textured is a tough and highly durable, water based copolymer compound which has outstanding resistance to spread of flame. When cured, it is water and weatherproof but allows substrates to breathe out. Firecheck Textured complies with the most exacting fire regulations. It is simple to apply by either spray or brush and cures to form a high build elastomeric skin which resists cracking, blistering and flaking.   ASBESTOS CONTROL The dangers associated with asbestos are now well known and the link between the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres and diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and certain forms of cancer has been recognised for several years. When asbestos is encountered within a building, there is a clear need to implement safety measures in order to prevent the release of fibres into the air and these can fall into two broad categories. Removal and in-place management: Removal is usually the first consideration when asbestos is discovered within a building, and the permanent elimination of such material from the premises clearly has significant advantages if properly undertaken. The subject of much examination by safety organisations such as the British Health and Safety Executive and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, removal is governed by strict legislation which aims to minimise health risks to both contractors and building occupants. However, it is not the only option. In place management involves leaving the material in situ, monitoring it and, where necessary, encapsulating it within a seamless, protective coating. This involves relatively little disturbance of the material and therefore minimises the threat of fibres being released into the air. Both the H.S.E. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency note that in place management is often a better course of action when attempting to reduce asbestos exposure. As the E.P.A. states, “an improper removal can create a dangerous situation where none previously existed... (because) by their nature, removals tend to elevate the airborne level of asbestos fibers.” By consolidating the insulation and protecting it beneath a tough, waterproof coating, the building owner derives a number of benefits: first, the operation is generally less hazardous and less costly than removal; second, it eliminates the need to dispose of the asbestos containing insulation - itself a process subject to strict controls and cost burdens; third, work can be completed far more quickly, reducing disruption, on-site time and all associated costs; and fourth, the excellent insulative properties of the asbestos are largely retained, thereby eliminating the need to purchase or install alternative insulation materials. Which of these two measures is ultimately chosen depends on various factors. In general, if the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and is unlikely to be disturbed for the foreseeable future, then encapsulation is appropriate. If it is damaged or deteriorating, it must first be consolidated prior to treatment (see “Fibrelock - technical data.”). If the material is very badly degraded or likely to be disturbed - by demolition work or structural alterations, for example - then it must be removed by licensed contractors according to national safety requirements. (In the U.K., these requirements are laid down by the Health and Safety Executive.) Firecheck and Fibrelock: Liquid Plastics offers two products for asbestos control work. Firecheck is an elastomeric, fire retardant coating and is ideally suited for the encapsulation of asbestos-containing insulation. Fibrelock has several distinct functions but is used primarily for suppressing fibre-release during removal and for consolidating insulants prior to encapsulation. FIRECHECK - (ASBESTOS ENCAPSULATION) Firecheck forms a tough, seamless, impact resistant skin which locks in potentially dangerous asbestos fibres. The flexible membrane will tolerate movement without cracking or flaking and protects the underlying material against water penetration, oil, grease and other chemicals. It complies with all international asbestos control legislation and penetrates asbestos-containing insulation to consolidate friable surfaces. Note, however, that degraded substrates may require pre-treatment with Fibrelock in order to maximise consolidation of the fibres. Independent testing: Firecheck has a proven track record in the field of asbestos control which spans well over a quarter of a century. As early as 1978, it was tested by the Battelle-Columbus Laboratory to determine its suitability for use as an asbestos encapsulant. Of the 158 products tested, only thirteen met all the necessary criteria and, of these, only Firecheck was adjudged to have been completely satisfactory. Fibrelock Fibrelock is a water based polymer emulsion with exceptional wetting capabilities, and is specially designed as a multi-functional treatment for sprayed asbestos. Designed to suppress fibre release and to keep airborne fibre levels within control limits, it fulfils five specific functions. 1. A lock coat which, when dry, aids asbestos removal by binding fibres together. 2. A penetrant for the wet stripping of asbestos. 3. A post abatement treatment to coat and retain residual fibres escaping removal. 4. A primer to consolidate surfaces prior to treatment with Firecheck or other LPL coatings used for encapsulation or post abatement. 5. A fibre treatment for asbestos-containing materials which are difficult to reach and which would be impossible to encapsulate. Fibrelock is a category “b” product as defined by the information sheet “H.S.E. Mineral Fibres National Interest Group (MF NIG)” but may be used in place of category “a” (jelly type) products for wet stripping of asbestos. Standard Fibrelock is a clear, non-dyed formulation, but dyed (blue), pigmented and Fibrelock Steel Grade variations are available to order.   ANTI-CORROSION INTRODUCTION AND SYSTEM SELECTION Liquid Plastics manufactures various primers and coatings which are suitable for use over metal substrates and which provide proven protection against corrosion in a wide range of aggressive environments. Anti-corrosion protection is a secondary function of several LPL coatings, Isoclad and Soladex, however, are specifically designed as anti-corrosive coatings and are listed in the following sections. For details of their use over metal roofs, however, please refer to the section on “Liquid Roofing Systems.” ISOCLAD Isoclad is a chemically modified, non-chlorinated synthetic rubber emulsion which contains a highly effective, zinc phosphate based anti-corrosive system. Consequently, it affords excellent protection against corrosion and weathering and is ideally suited for use over metal substrates in the most demanding climatic conditions. SOLADEX Soladex is a single pack, high build, anti-corrosive coating based on Hypalon® from DuPont. It cures rapidly to form a tough, highly elastomeric, weatherproof membrane with excellent UV stability and good resistance to the spread of flame. Suitable for use over a wide range of substrates, it offers lasting protection against a wide range of reagents and provides an effective defence against water penetration, chloride ion penetration and attack by aggressive atmospheric chemicals. It becomes resistant to rain damage soon after application and therefore helps to reduce the risks of site delays due to bad weather. Soladex can be used as a roofing system, please refer to the section on “Liquid Roofing Systems” for further details.   ANTI-SHATTER PROTECTION FOR GLASS DECOTHANE CLEARGLAZE Decothane Clearglaze is an aliphatic, polycarbonate polyurethane coating which cures rapidly to form a clear, weatherproof finish. It may be used to protect various glass substrates without adversely affecting the transmission of light into the structure. More importantly, however, the Clearglaze membrane is tough and highly adherent, enabling it to bind glass fragments together in the event of impact or explosion. A standard 600 micron film, for example, achieves a “Class B” rating when tested in accordance with the British standard for glass shatter protection - and for additional protection, it may be reinforced with glass fibre mesh. It may be used over roof lights and wire reinforced safety panes, and is particularly well suited for use in public areas where it removes the need for unsightly safety netting under domes and other decorative glass features. It is also used in the food and drinks industries to treat windows, dial covers and other surfaces which might otherwise present a potential threat of glass contamination. Clearglaze is UV stable, easy to apply and may also be used to protect a variety of other substrates including tiled roofs, masonry and concrete. For further details, please refer to sections on “Liquid Roofing Systems” and “Protective Systems for Walls.” Note: Clearglaze is not suitable if total optical clarity must be retained.   WATERPROOFING FOR BALCONIES AND WALKWAYS CLEARGLAZE QUARTZ Clearglaze Quartz is a polyurethane based, weatherproof screed system for walkways, balconies, terraces and other external areas which are subject to pedestrian traffic. It comprises a waterproofing layer of Decothane SP, followed by a layer of Decothane Clearglaze mixed with quartz particles. This produces a highly attractive, hard-wearing surface - the appearance of which can be altered according to the selection and mix ratio of different coloured quartz particles. The system may be installed over existing tiles and other substrates, thereby eliminating the costs and inconvenience associated with breaking out and disposing of the old material. In addition, it produces a totally seamless finish which will remain colour-fast and easy to clean throughout its long design life.   COSMETIC CONCRETE REPAIR MATERIALS INTRODUCTION When working on certain refurbishment projects, it may sometimes be necessary to repair or reprofile the substrate and/or produce a smooth, fair- faced surface prior to the application of primers and coatings. Our specialist concrete repair materials are ideally suited for this purpose, producing a sound, durable finish that is compatible with coatings in the LPL range. IMPORTANT NOTE: The repair materials in this section are for cosmetic repairs only. Where structural repairs are required use Flexcrete Limited's range of high performance mortars. MONOFILL LPL Monofill is a single component, high build, polymer modified mortar for the cosmetic repair, rendering and profiling of both vertical and overhanging surfaces in non-structural applications. It has a maximum application thickness of 100 mm. per layer, exhibits low density and hardens rapidly under normal conditions. Based on highly advanced microsilica, cement, polymer and fibre technology, it requires no inter-layer priming and is shrinkage compensated, resulting in a high bond strength (superior to the tensile strength of concrete) and ensuring monolithic performance of the repair. MONOSEAL LPL Monoseal is a fine particle fairing coat for filling blow-holes and small surface defects in pre-cast and in-situ concrete. Thin screed applications may be used to level concrete surfaces in order to provide a fair-faced finish. The product can also be used as a primer for non-structural steel reinforcement and as a bonding aid for Monofill. It is a single component product with good adhesive properties, and cures to form a vapour permeable, water repellent finish.   REEMAT REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS Certain systems require the use of reinforcement in order to achieve the necessary durability and tensile strength. The use of Reemat reinforcement is covered in the relevant “Site work and application” section of our literature which is available on request. The two main reinforcement types are described in the following sections. REEMAT FLEXITAPE Reemat Flexitape is a nylon mesh which, unlike conventional scrims, is readily capable of stretching within the membrane to accommodate a high degree of thermal and structural movement. It is embedded into Liquid Plastics coatings to impart additional tensile strength and durability, and is available in two standard grades and various different widths. Light Duty Flexitape may generally be used to provide local reinforcement over stable cracks and joints, whilst Heavy Duty Flexitape is typically used over joints or cracks liable to movement and for bridging gaps between substrates. Both grades will follow surface contours and may be applied over complex detail work. Sizes Light Duty Flexitape 5 cm. & 15 cm. wide rolls; 50 metre lengths. Heavy Duty Flexitape 7.5 cm. & 15 cm. wide rolls; 50 metre lengths. REEMAT GLASS FIBRE MATS (GFM) SYSTEMS In addition to the Flexitape products listed above, there are two Reemat GFM reinforcement systems, each consisting of a purpose designed, surface treated blown glass mat that is embedded into various Liquid Plastics coatings in order to provide additional strength and durability. The randomly orientated fibres within the mats give maximum multi-directional tensile strength to the membranes whilst allowing them to remain elastomeric. They may be used for total or partial reinforcement and may easily be moulded around protrusions, joints, corners and other surface detail. The lighter grade is Reemat Standard and the heavier grade is Reemat Premium. Sizes Reemat Standard 1 metre wide roll; 200 metre lengths; total area = 200 m². Reemat Premium 1.3 metre wide roll; 155 metre lengths; total area approx. 202 m².