A fire-retarding
paint that
gives
you peace of
mind
A fire disaster is certainly one of the most nightmarish
moments any property owner can endure. But did you know
there exists a type of paint that helps in minimizing the risk of
fire gutting your home or business premises? Yes, the newly
introduced Crown Timonox, the first of its kind in Kenya and
the African continent is designed to guard against sudden
eruptions of fire in buildings induced by flammable ingredients
in paints. Solvents used in paint manufacture increase the risk
of fire spreading through buildings.
Crown Timonox is applied as a thin coat on walls and ceilings.
Multiple layers of paint constitute a significant fire hazard hence
the need to minimize the potential for ignition both for solvent or
water-based conventional paint coatings. “Improving the flame
fighting ability of a surface makes it not only safe for human
habitation but also minimizes the environmental damage linked
to solvent-based paints,” explains Crown Paints CEO Rakesh
Rao.
Crown Timonox is water-based and solvent-free coating
solution. This makes it the ideal paint for ethical consumers
looking out for safe decorative products. As part of its
environmental protection policy, Crown Paints has shifted to
water-based as opposed to oil or solvent-based paints and
coating solutions. This paint product is subject to rigorous
British and European fire testing and is solvent free. It is VOC
(Volatile Organic Compounds) compliant meaning it has low
environmental impact. VOCs are chemicals that are formed
when solvents in paints evaporate. These are known to have
harmful impact on health and environment.
According to the European Flame Retardants Association, flame
retardants are necessary in ensuring the safety of buildings
as they slow down combustion and render buildings more
resistant to ignition. A number of fire tragedies have been
witnessed in Kenya this year, most prominently at the Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport. A large part of the international
arrivals section as well as the entire domestic flights unit were
destroyed by the early morning inferno in August. The JKIA
incident brought into sharp focus the importance of a country’s
preparedness for fire disasters.
Flammable compounds in paints have been cited as a major
trigger of workplace fire hazards. Generally, for a fire to occur,
three elements are required: fuel, oxygen and an ignition source.
According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and
Safety, flammable liquids can give off enough vapour to trigger
combustion with air at room temperatures. Such flammable
liquids include solvents used in paint manufacture. Everyone
who works with flammable liquids must be aware of their
hazards and how to work safely with them as they are a potential
cause of many man-made fire tragedies.
