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Certified Multi-Hour Fire Protection with Contego High Solids Intumescent Paint.

$397.00

Protect structural steel with Contego High-Solids Intumescent Paint, the premier thin-film passive fire barrier. Formulated with 66% volume solids, it provides certified 1-to-2-hour fire ratings with fewer coats, slashing labor costs by 30%. This eco-friendly, low-VOC acrylic latex coating expands under extreme heat to block thermal collapse. It dries to an ultra-smooth, paintable finish, making it the perfect choice for exposed commercial steel beams, columns, and metal decking. Shop Contego HS for efficient, code-compliant fireproofing.

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72%
Solids by Weight
1-3 Hour Ratings
UL 263 / ASTM E119

Contego High-Solids Intumescent Paint

Safeguard your structural investments with Contego High-Solids Intumescent Paint, the industry-leading fire barrier designed to deliver uncompromising safety without sacrificing aesthetics. Engineered with advanced latex-based polymer technology, Contego provides a thin-film, ultra-smooth finish that looks just like high-quality primer, but reacts under extreme heat to save lives and preserve property.

Why Choose Contego Intumescent Paint?

When exposed to fire, Contego’s advanced formula undergoes a chemical reaction, expanding into a thick, cellular char barrier. This intumescent layer effectively insulates structural components, delaying thermal collapse and providing critical evacuation time.

  • Versatile Substrate Bonding: Formulated for maximum adhesion to structural steel, standard lumber, engineered wood, drywall, concrete, and even polyurethane foam.

  • Aesthetic-Grade Finish: Unlike gritty, industrial fireproof coatings, Contego dries to a smooth, crisp white finish that can be top-coated with any high-quality alkyd or acrylic paint to match your interior design.

  • Eco-Friendly & Safe: With a low-VOC, non-toxic, and completely odorless formulation, it is perfectly safe for application in occupied buildings, schools, and hospitals.

  • Certified Peace of Mind: Extensively tested and certified by UL, Intertek, and major global standards to meet rigorous fire resistance ratings (up to 2 hours depending on application thickness).

Ideal Applications

Whether you are retrofitting a historic timber loft, coating exposed commercial steel beams, or fire-rating residential drywall, Contego offers a cost-effective, labor-efficient solution. It applies easily using standard airless sprayers, rollers, or brushes, reducing labor costs and project downtime.

Protect what matters most. Choose Contego High-Solids Intumescent Paint for a beautiful, paper-smooth finish that delivers heavy-duty, certified fire protection when it counts.

Additional information

Weight 60 lbs
Dimensions 13 × 13 × 15 in

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UL 263 / ASTM E119
Certified 1, 2, and 3-hour fire endurance ratings for structural steel columns & beams.
ASTM E84 / UL 723
Class A flame spread index ≤ 15, smoke development index ≤ 25 on wood & gypsum.
NFPA 255 & 286
Complies with NFPA life safety building codes for interior room corner burn compliance.
CAN/ULC-S101 & S102
Canadian standard testing verification for structural components and flame propagation.
FORMULATED FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL, TIMBER & COMPOSITES

Why Professionals Specify Contego High Solids

Engineered specifically for architects and certified fireproofing contractors seeking maximum fire ratings with thinner dry film thicknesses, lower labor costs, and an ultra-smooth architectural finish.

Higher Solids & Thinner Coats

With 71% solids content, Contego HS builds higher wet film thickness without sagging. Achieves required multi-hour ratings with fewer passes, reducing job site labor and timeline delays.

  • Builds up to 25–30 mils WFT per coat
  • Fast recoat times for accelerated project schedules

Micro-Cellular Thermal Char

When exposed to fire or temperatures exceeding 392°F (200°C), Contego HS swells into a dense, closed-cell carbon matrix that insulates substrates from reaching critical yield temperatures.

  • Expands up to 30x original dry film thickness
  • Delays steel core temperature rise past 1000°F

Architectural Grade Aesthetics

Unlike rough cementitious spray fireproofing, Contego HS applies silky smooth like premium architectural latex. Leaves a uniform finish that can be top-coated with any high-end industrial color or sheen.

  • Clean, bright white matte appearance
  • Compatible with acrylic, alkyd, epoxy & urethane topcoats
UNIVERSAL SUBSTRATE COMPATIBILITY

Approved Substrates & Fireproofing Applications

Contego High Solids is tested and approved for a broad spectrum of commercial, industrial, and residential structural materials.

Recommended Substrates & Assemblies

Structural Steel & Metal Decking

Wide flange I-beams, hollow structural sections (HSS), fluted metal roof and floor decks, and architectural columns requiring 1, 2, or 3-hour UL 263 ratings.

Heavy Timber, Glulam & Wood Trusses

Exposed architectural timber framing, cross-laminated timber (CLT), dimensional lumber, plywood subfloors, and wood roof truss systems.

Aluminum, Spray Polyurethane Foam & Composites

Architectural aluminum facades, HVAC ductwork, and spray polyurethane foam insulation requiring an approved 15-minute thermal barrier.

Interior Gypsum, Drywall & Wallboard

Interior drywall partitions, elevator shafts, stairwells, and service corridors seeking Class A flame spread reduction.

Surface Preparation & Special Considerations

Steel Priming Required

Structural steel must be free of mill scale, rust, grease, and moisture. Apply over a compatible rust-inhibitive alkyd, epoxy, or zinc-rich primer meeting SSPC-SP 6 commercial blast cleaning.

Moisture Content on Wood (≤ 15%)

Verify wood substrates are dry and moisture levels are below 15% prior to coating. Do not apply onto wet, green, or resinous uncured lumber without proper solvent wipe down.

Exterior & High Humidity Top-Coating

For exterior exposures, unconditioned spaces, or high-humidity environments, Contego HS must be top-coated with an approved weather-resistant exterior acrylic or polyurethane finish.

Temperature & Dew Point Constraints

Apply only when ambient and substrate temperatures are between 50°F (10°C) and 95°F (35°C), and at least 5°F above the dew point with relative humidity below 80%.

LABORATORY VERIFIED

Technical Specifications & Engineering Data

Comprehensive physical, chemical, fire endurance, and environmental test properties for Contego High Solids.

Property Specification Value Standard / Test Method
Physical State & Appearance Viscous white fluid, smooth architectural finish Visual Inspection
Solids Content by Weight 71.0% (± 2.0%) ASTM D2369
Solids Content by Volume 56.5% (± 2.0%) ASTM D2697
Specific Gravity / Density 1.38 – 1.42 g/cm³ (11.5 – 11.8 lbs/gal) ASTM D1475
pH Balance 7.5 – 8.5 (Neutral to Mild Alkaline) Standard pH Probe
Viscosity 110 – 125 Krebs Units (KU) @ 77°F (25°C) ASTM D562 (Stormer)
Flash Point Non-Flammable (Water-based formulation) Pensky-Martens Closed Cup
Theoretical Coverage Rate 906 sq. ft./gal @ 1 mil DFT (~60 sq. ft./gal @ 15 mils DFT) Calculated Volume Solids
Shelf Life 2 Years in unopened original container (Store 50°F–90°F) Accelerated Stability Testing
Technical Data Sheet View & Download  
Approved Primers View & Download  
Approved Topcoats View & Download  
Cure Times View & Download  
Brochure View & Download  
Fire Standard Rating Achieved Assembly / Substrate Tested
ASTM E119 / UL 263 1, 2, and 3-Hour Fire Endurance Ratings Structural Steel Columns (W-shapes, Tube, Pipe) & Restrained Beams
ASTM E119 CC/IF. 180-01 1, 2, and 3-Hour Fire Endurance Ratings Wide Flange Beams CII_IF 180-01
ASTM E84 / UL 723 Class A Flame Spread Index: 0 – 15 | Smoke Developed: ≤ 25 Plywood, Red Oak, Oriented Strand Board, and Gypsum Board
CAN/ULC-S101 1 & 2 Hour Fire Resistance Performance Canadian Building Code Structural Assemblies
NFPA 286 Passed Room Corner Fire Evaluation Interior Wall and Ceiling Assemblies with Spray Foam / SPF
UL 1715 15-Minute Thermal Barrier Approval Spray Applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation (Wall & Ceiling)
UBC 26-3 15-Minute Thermal Barrier Approval Spray Applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation (OSB Panel)
BXUV.D603 / ANSI/UL 263 2 Hour Thermal Barrier Approval Metal Deck Assembley
ICC Evaluation  ASTM E-84 Class A Douglas Fir / OSB
BSS 7239-88 Toxic Gas Generation ASTM E662.
Environmental Criterion Test Result / Verification Regulatory Standard
VOC Content < 20 g/L (Ultra-Low VOC, Waterborne) EPA Method 24 / SCAQMD Rule 1113 Compliant
Halogen & Asbestos Content 100% Free of Chlorine, Bromine, Asbestos, & Lead RoHS & REACH Directive Verification
LEED v4 / v4.1 Compliance Contributes to Low-Emitting Materials Credits CDPH Standard Method v1.2
Odor Profile Negligible, mild latex-like odor during wet application Occupied Space Friendly
Clean-Up Solvent Warm Water & Mild Soap (No organic solvents required) Safe Workshop & Jobsite Wash
Safety Data Sheet View & Download  
SIMPLE 4-STEP INDUSTRIAL WORKFLOW

How to Apply Contego High Solids Intumescent Paint

Follow these verified industrial steps to achieve certified dry film thicknesses and pass municipal fire marshal field inspections.

1

Surface Prep & Priming

Clean substrates of mill scale, rust, dirt, and oils. Prime structural steel with an approved alkyd or epoxy primer. Ensure wood moisture is below 15%.

2

Mechanical Agitation

Power mix thoroughly using a heavy-duty mechanical drill with a spiral paddle for 3–5 minutes until completely smooth, creamy, and uniform in body.

3

Airless Spray Application

Apply utilizing an airless sprayer (min. 3,000 PSI, 1.0 GPM, tip sizes .021″–.029″). Spray in even, cross-hatch passes at 20–30 mils Wet Film Thickness.

4

DFT Inspection & Topcoat

Verify Dry Film Thickness (DFT) with a calibrated magnetic or ultrasonic gauge. Apply architectural topcoat for exterior exposure or custom aesthetic tint.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Contego High Solids ratings, spray equipment, thicknesses, and code sign-offs.

Contego High Solids (HS) features a full 71% solids formulation by weight, giving it exceptional build characteristics and thixotropy. This allows applicators to spray thicker coats (up to 30 mils wet) per pass without running or sagging, achieving required 1, 2, or 3-hour fire ratings in fewer passes. Furthermore, Contego's micro-cellular formula creates a smoother architectural surface finish that looks like high-end latex rather than bumpy fireproofing.

No intumescent coating should be applied to bare unprimed steel. Contego HS is engineered to be applied directly over standard commercial rust-inhibitive alkyd, epoxy, or zinc-rich primers that have been applied over cleaned steel (SSPC-SP 6 commercial blast cleaning). Ensure primer is fully cured and free of oil or contaminants before coating with Contego HS.

Yes! While Contego HS cures to a clean, bright white architectural matte, it can be tinted using universal waterborne colorants up to 2 oz per gallon (pastel/light shades). For vibrant or dark branding colors, or for exterior and high-traffic interior walls, you can topcoat Contego HS with any compatible waterborne 100% acrylic, epoxy, or aliphatic polyurethane without degrading its fire resistance capabilities.
Due to its high solids density, Contego HS should be applied using heavy-duty airless spray equipment. Recommended rigs include Graco Ultra Max II 795 / 1095, Graco Mark V, or Titan Impact 840/1140 (minimum 3,000 PSI and 1.0 to 1.25 GPM delivery). Remove all gun and manifold mesh filters. Use a 3/8" high-pressure fluid hose with reversible spray tips sized between .021" and .029". Brush or roller application is approved for small touch-up areas and tight structural flanges.
Absolutely. Contego High Solids holds accredited third-party certified testing under ASTM E119, UL 263, ASTM E84, and CAN/ULC-S101. It satisfies the strict requirements of the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and municipal fire regulations nationwide. With every commercial order, our engineering desk supplies full submittal packages, UL design listings, and official Certificates of Compliance.
DIRECT TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Need a Custom Submittal, DFT Calculation, or Sample?

Our in-house chemical engineers and fireproofing estimators assist architects, structural engineers, and applicators with beam W/D calculations, submittal packets, and bulk job site delivery.

Direct Phone Line
+1 (800) 555-FIRE (3473)
Commercial Inquiries
quotes@contegoprotection.com
Engineering Desk Hours
Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM EST

Contego HS Quantity & Technical Assistance

Contego HS Quantity & Technical Assistance

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