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FIRECOAT – the world’s first BAL-40-rated fire-retardant paint – has been successfully applied to safeguard the timber noise wall along the Newcastle Inner City Bypass near Warners Bay Road in New South Wales, Australia.

The application of FIRECOAT to this significant infrastructure site highlights a proactive approach to fire safety at a time when Australians are preparing for another extreme bushfire season.

‘Fires exact a heavy toll on public infrastructure: they divert crucial resources for repair and replacement, disrupt local economies, and endanger natural habitats and essential services,’ said Justin Rooney, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Flame Security International, the company behind FIRECOAT.

‘Severe bushfire seasons challenge the resilience of valuable community, environmental and cultural sites, leaving no sector – be it bridges, powerlines, schools, or industries – untouched by their devastating effects.’

Gaining recognition and winning awards

FIRECOAT’s exceptional performance has not gone unnoticed. Despite only entering the Australian market in 2023, it has already garnered multiple prestigious awards and shortlists.

Learn more about FIRECOAT Exterior and how it can protect your infrastructure project. Click here to contact us today.

Flame Security International and UNSW Sydney behind the world’s most fire-resistant paint win leading research commercialisation award.

Sydney NSW, 25 October 2024: A unique partnership between a leading university and an innovative Australian start-up that led to the development and launch of the world’s first BAL-40-rated fire-resistant paint has won international recognition for the power of collaboration.

Flame Security International (FSI) and the UNSW Sydney won ‘Best Industry- Research Collaboration’ at Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia’s 2024 Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards, announced on 16 October in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Their 6-year partnership took a vision for real fire protection from concept to market, through product research, development, testing, funding, marketing, sales and distribution. The result is FIRECOAT, a range of commercially available, highly fire-resistant coatings for structures and built assets.

“FSI has collaborated with Professor Guan Yeoh and his team from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering to create a range of world-first fire protection products,” said Tony Overstead, CEO and Co-Founder of FSI. “The first products released are FIRECOAT Interior and Exterior paints.

“FIRECOAT Exterior is the first coating to achieve a bushfire attack level rating of BAL-40, and both have achieved a long list of global fire certifications relating to both built environments and bushfire scenarios.”

FIRECOAT Interior and Exterior paints are available through Bunnings in Australia and ACE Hardware in the US. More products, including a unique bushfire home protection kit and water-dispersed containment line spray, are expected to hit the market in 2025. The social, environmental and economic benefits will be huge.

Prof. Yeoh said he was thrilled that his team’s collaboration with FSI was recognised at the KCA Awards. “I’m very proud of my team, and I am very thankful to our wonderful partners at FSI who have helped us get this potentially life-changing innovation to market.”

These revolutionary products would not be available to property owners without the unusually longstanding industry-research partnership. Joining FSI’s drive for innovation and environmental safety together with UNSW Sydney’s long-established reputation in research and development was key to developing effective, affordable solutions for fire damage and loss.

“A successful R&D partnership is a combination of intellectual expertise, excellent infrastructure, adaptability and market intelligence to not only solve the problem but facilitate the commercial execution,” said FSI’s Managing Director and Co-Founder, Justin Rooney.

“Collaborating with UNSW Sydney significantly enhanced our research capabilities and provided access to the best brains, cutting-edge developments and facilities in material science.”

Professor Stephen Rodda, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) at UNSW Sydney, said, “This award is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work and ingenuity of both FSI and Professor Guan Yeoh’s team at UNSW Sydney.

“Seeing FIRECOAT not only hit the shelves in Australia via Bunnings but also expand into the US through ACE Hardware is a proud moment for everyone involved in this project.”

L-R 
Julia Frith - Manager Engagement & Communications (Industry & Innovation)
Garth McKinley, Head of Marketing
Tony Overstead, CEO and Co-Founder
Justin Rooney, Managing Director and Co-Founder
Shayon Sanjoy Dasgupta, R&D Engineer 
Dr Arslan Khalid, Senior R&D Engineer
Hengqi Chen, R&D Engineer
Grace Holland -  Business Development Associate (Industry & Innovation)
Alex Galkin, PhD, MRACI CChem, Principal Consultant
Professor Stephen Rodda – Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation)
Hongyang Li, R&D engineer

– 

Absent
Ka Wai Fan , Senior R&D Engineer (Team Leader)

Photo L-R: Julia Frith - Manager Engagement & Communications (Industry & Innovation), Garth McKinley, Head of Marketing, Tony Overstead, CEO and Co-Founder, Justin Rooney, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Shayon Sanjoy Dasgupta, R&D Engineer, Dr Arslan Khalid, Senior R&D Engineer, Hengqi Chen, R&D Engineer, Grace Holland -  Business Development Associate (Industry & Innovation), Alex Galkin, PhD, MRACI CChem, Principal Consultant, Professor Stephen Rodda – Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation), Hongyang Li, R&D engineer. Absent, Ka Wai Fan, Senior R&D Engineer (Team Leader)


About FSI: Flame Security International is dedicated to developing highly innovative products and services that solve major problems, especially the increasing threat of fire to humans and the environment.

Read more about the Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
Read more about FIRECOAT

Media enquiries:
Brett Osmond
0408 069 861
brett@leadinghand.com.au

FLAME SECURITY INTERNATIONAL is one of the Most Innovative Companies for 2024 

A further achievement for Australian innovation, Flame Security International has been recognised as a finalist in the 2024 Australian Financial Review (AFR) Most Innovative Companies Award for its FIRECOAT range. Further demonstrating its position as a trailblazer in fire-resistant technology, the accolade recognises exceptional innovation and positive industry impact. 

A successful formula

At the heart of this success story is FIRECOAT, the company's flagship product range developed to protect people, structures and the environment, in collaboration with the University of New South Wales. 

This groundbreaking fire-resistant coating has achieved a world-first BAL-40 bushfire rating, setting a new standard in fire protection. 

The journey to being acknowledged as one of the most innovative companies was no small feat. The Aussie start-up had to compete with a pool of over 1,000 Australian businesses, including heavy hitters from the ASX 500 and formidable mid-tier companies. 

Its recognition in the Property, Construction & Transport category underscores the significant impact of their innovation on these vital sectors. 

Image of Garth McKinley and Justin Rooney from Flame Security International.

Global recognition and expansion

Managing Director and Co-Founder Justin Rooney acknowledged the strength of the finalists being recognised as a testament to the state of Australian innovation in today’s accelerating technology environment. This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for the company, which has recently launched in the US market and is already in talks with industry giants like Disney and NASA. 

Innovation meets sustainability

What sets this start-up apart is its unique blend of cutting-edge technology and a strong commitment to sustainability. FIRECOAT not only enhances safety in the built environment but also addresses the growing global risks associated with fire. 

This dual focus on innovation and environmental responsibility positions the company at the forefront of tackling climate-related challenges. 

Collaborative success

The company's success is highlighted by its strategic collaborations with leading academic institutions and its ever-improving business model. Partnerships with the University of New South Wales, Deakin University, the University of Melbourne and the University of California, Berkeley have provided the company access to world-class research facilities and intellectual capital, driving advancements in material science. 

“After years in development, the research team has managed to finalise a first-of-its-kind paint technology comprising of supercharged non-toxic intumescent materials for improved formation of a very dense and thick layer of carbonaceous char, and an advanced polymer technology to promote the adherence on surfaces at elevated temperatures. Rigorous testings have revealed the applicability of the paint to resist high intense heat and help to insulate and protect the underlying material that may be experienced during bushfire condition. This new paint technology can be brushed or sprayed as an undercoat onto a variety of surfaces – including existing render, timber, aluminium, steel, concrete, plasterboard, and brick – in the same way as normal paint. The paint can then be covered with any standard coloured topcoat without affecting the fire-retardant properties.” Professor Yeoh, UNSW

The future is FIRECOAT 

As climate-related challenges continue to escalate, the role of innovative fire-resistant technologies becomes increasingly crucial.

The Aussie start-up's success story not only celebrates current achievements but also highlights the potential for continued innovation in creating resilient and safe built environments worldwide. 

Being a finalist in the AFR Most Innovative Companies Award is a testament to Australian ingenuity and a clear signal that homegrown innovations can make a global impact.

Read more in the Australian Financial Review

The heartbreak that comes with fires is global

FIRECOAT, Australia’s award-winning breakthrough in fire protection for buildings, was recently put to the test in California as part of a major burn experiment. Hosted by North Fork Lumber Company, the FIRECOAT team was honoured to be joined by representatives from CalFire, Cal Poly, Caltrans and UC Berkeley.

California has a long track record of wildfire destruction, and the statistics are confronting. The Camp Fire in November 2018 destroyed 18,804 structures and cost 85 lives, while the 2020 August Complex fire affected 7 counties and burned 1,032, 648 acres (approximately 417,900 hectares). And UCLA says it’s getting worse.

Working with international partners is an integral part of FIRECOAT’s business. It’s a part of where we litmus test our products and ideas, and where we build important relationships in our endeavour to provide accessible and innovative solutions to protect structures, people and communities.

The Korbel FIRECOAT test

At the testing site, 6 small-scale ‘homes’ were built and clad in T1-11 panelling, an external finish typical across the USA.  One ‘home’ was treated with FIRECOAT Interior and another with FIRECOAT Exterior, the third ‘home' was treated with the world’s first Bushfire Home Protection Kit and the fourth 'home' was treated with all the products in the Bushfire Home Protection Kit + FIRECOAT Exterior – and lastly there were two control ‘homes’ that were not protected with any FIRECOAT products.

All 6 structures were then exposed to flames equivalent to some of the extreme Californian wildfires of the past few decades.

The 4 homes treated with FIRECOAT successfully survived the fire attack. The test crew were effectively able to scrape off the blackened intumescent coatings, which had expanded in reaction to the flames and covered the structures like a protective pillow.

Beneath the black, the substrates were cool and intact – even the windows, protected with FIRECOAT Window Shield covers, were unscathed. CalFire’s unit chief Kurt McCray remarked, ‘There’s no heat in any of this … we see virtually no damage!’

The untreated ‘homes’ were totally destroyed.

You can watch the burn test for yourself below.

FIRECOAT for fire protection

FIRECOAT’s groundbreaking products are developed and manufactured in Australia to meet global fire threats. New polymer technology earned FIRECOAT the world’s first BAL-40 fire rating and made possible an unprecedented level of protection for homes and properties in high-risk bushfire areas, such as California and Australia.

FIRECOAT Exterior and Interior undercoat paints are safe for people and the environment and easy to use, durable and affordable.

They can be applied by brush, roller or spray to most internal and external surfaces, including brick, render, timber, aluminium, steel, concrete and plasterboard, and easily cleaned up with water.

Available now at Bunnings in Australia and soon to be available at ACE Hardware stores across the United States.

Painting contractors looking to stand out from their competitors now have a unique opportunity to add bushfire protection to their services, thanks to FIRECOAT and the National Painting and Decorating Institute.

The institute’s new training course in intumescent coatings focuses on the groundbreaking FIRECOAT range of fire-resistant paints – the first coatings in the world to achieve a BAL-40 rating for bushfire protection.

The new, nationally recognised qualification equips paint contractors with the expertise to correctly apply these game-changing products and help customers protect their homes and properties from bushfire loss and damage.

How to apply fire-resistant paint

FIRECOAT Exterior and Interior paints are the first products released to market in a range developed by Flame Security International and the University of New South Wales to combat the devastation and destruction caused by bushfires. Correct application of the undercoats provides buildings with an unprecedented level of resistance to damage if fire breaks out.

Even though FIRECOAT is as easy to apply as regular paint, not all home and building owners have the time, resources or confidence to do the job themselves. That’s where the National Painting and Decorating Institute’s certification course can give contractors a leading edge in business.

Australia’s first certified FIRECOAT contractors

After 6 months in development, the Intumescent Coatings course launched in Victoria in August. Study consists of around 4 hours of theory, delivered online, plus 4 hours of practical training, and graduates achieve a nationally recognised certification.

Word is spreading rapidly about FIRECOAT, and the first trainees were quick to take up the opportunity to be part of the future of fire protection.

‘Some of Australia’s leading painting contractors – including G Weyers Painting Service, National Painting Group, Murphy Brothers Painting Services, Revive & Restore Painting and Maintenance, and Protecta Roof Painting Services – are now trained and certified to apply the world's first bushfire-resistant paint,’ says Daniel Wurm, Painters Institute.

‘The training prepares painting contractors to correctly apply paints that prevent houses burning down during bushfire events.’ - Daniel Wurm

With Australia being the most fire-prone country in the world, these specialist skills offer savvy painters the potential for business and reputational growth.

Give your business a leading edge: find out how you can become a certified FIRECOAT painting contractor here

Preparing your property for bushfires can help reduce the risk of damage and loss

Bushfires are a fact of life in Australia. In the past two decades catastrophic fires have claimed hundreds of lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and caused billions of dollars of economic damage. With every year, bushfires are breaking out more regularly and becoming increasingly devastating.

Avoiding bushfire outbreaks may be impossible, but reducing your chances of property devastation is not. Effective, practical preparation for the possibility of a bushfire attack can minimise the degree of damage your home or business would experience. So why take your chances when you can take charge?

Image of an Australian house surrounded by bush

Just how real is the risk of bushfire?

All of Australia faces bushfire risk, depending on the season. Whether you live in the bush, on the coast or in a city, the chance of a fire breaking out near you is real. Bushfires move fast, and they can behave unpredictably.

Fire crews and authorities will do all they can to prevent a bushfire, and when emergencies arise, they respond as fast and as effectively as possible. But they can’t be everywhere, so it’s up to you to do what you can to protect your home and property.

Prepare your property for bushfires with these 5 tips

Before bushfire season even begins in your area, plan to prepare your home and property for the risk. Assess the condition and surroundings of each building from a fire preparation viewpoint. Be honest: this is a fire risk assessment, not a pass/fail test of your home maintenance schedule.

Remember that a bushfire can attack a property three ways:

Then, get stuck in!

1. Undertake overdue maintenance

2. Create a defensible space around the buildings

3. Retrofit fire-resistance measures

4. Review property access

5. Review your local bushfire risk management services

It is highly recommended that you review local bushfire risk management information and advice on the following official state and territory fire service websites.

The information on this website is a general guide. Please be sure to refer to the official state and territory fire service websites for relevant information on preparing for the bushfire season and to be across bushfire advice and service information for your area.

FIRECOAT will help reduce bushfire damage

It’s so easy to think a bushfire will never happen to you, or that if it does, your assets will somehow be okay. But bushfires are a reality, and the best way you can protect your family, home, property or business is to be proactive and prepare for the possibility.

FIRECOAT can’t stop a fire from approaching your property, but it can minimise the damage if one does. The most highly certified fire resistant paint in the world, FIRECOAT is easy to apply, effective and affordable, so make it part of your bushfire preparation strategy. Don’t take your chances – take charge.

Image of the Victorian Fire service in Dandenong

‘This special paint could save lives from bushfires’

New paint technology developed at UNSW to help fire-proof homes is a joint winner in The Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards 2024 research commercialisation category.

The winners of all seven categories in The Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards 2024, which recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts of Australian universities during the past year, have been announced.

‘Receiving this award is a genuine honour reflecting not just individual achievements but the collaborative spirit and innovative mindset of those who have supported and inspired our team at UNSW. It highlights the power of partnerships and pushing boundaries to advance knowledge and excellence for commercial, environmental and community benefit.‘ Justin Rooney, Managing Director and Co-founder, Flame Security International

UNSW’s Professor Guan Yeoh, who was involved in developing the paint, says it uses a non-toxic compound to create an insulating barrier, which is like a layer of charcoal, effectively deflecting the heat from a bushfire. A big advantage is the paint doesn’t need to be applied with special equipment.

“It can be brushed or sprayed as an undercoat on to existing render, timber, aluminium, steel, concrete, plasterboard and brick,” he says.

“The paint can be covered with standard coloured topcoat without affecting its fire-retardant properties.”

Read more in The Australian Financial Review

FIRECOAT’s certifications and standards mean effective fire protection for properties and homes

FIRECOAT undercoat paints are the world’s leading fire protection solution for residential properties and commercial buildings. The ground-breaking range of coating products are certified effective for defending exterior and interior surfaces of homes and properties, thanks to new polymer technology developed for maximum fire resistance. FIRECOAT paints are the perfect choice for tradies and home owners who want to protect homes from fire damage.

FIRECOAT’s impressive list of standards and certifications may look just a jumble of letters and numbers to many people. In reality, they mean a lot: they are a purchaser’s assurance that these fire protection products do exactly what it says on the tin.

Why certifications and standards matter

When companies launch new products labelled with promises like ‘revolutionary’, ‘game-changing’, ‘new technology’ and ‘world’s first’, it’s easy to feel cynical. However, FIRECOAT paints have to prove that these new-to-market coatings really stack up against the claims.

FIRECOAT’s list of credentials is certainly long and impressive, but at a practical level they translate to effective, durable and safe products for protecting buildings from fire.

FIRECOAT Exterior BAL-40 in just two coats

FIRECOAT Exterior’s certifications

This durable, water-based exterior undercoat can be applied with conventional rollers, brushes or sprays to most substrates, including render, timer, aluminium, steel, concrete, plasterboard and brick. It’s durable – lasting up to 10 years when correctly applied – and not harmful to the environment.

Let’s look at FIRECOAT Exterior’s certifications:

Download the FIRECOAT product brochure (PDF, 4.6 MB)

FIRECOAT Interior’s certifications

As safe, durable and easy to use as its partner product, the interior water-based undercoat is suitable for use only on internal finishes such as timber and plasterboard. It’s available in white and gives a smooth, paint finish.

FIRECOAT Interior’s certifications confirm the paint’s effectiveness:

Download the FIRECOAT product brochure (PDF, 4.6 MB)

Effective fire protection for properties

At FIRECOAT, we're committed to helping people protect homes from fire, so we make sure that our fire protection products meet the most rigorous standards. Our certifications mean tradies and home owners can trust FIRECOAT products: they really are game-changing! To find out more about FIRECOAT Exterior and Interior coatings, visit our Products page

FIRECOAT EXTERIOR is a game-changing solution to help combat the devastating impact of bushfires, structural fires and urban conflagration. It is an exterior water-based fire-retardant paint for fire protection of a variety of substrates. When exposed to flame or radiant heat, FIRECOAT EXTERIOR forms an outer char layer, protecting the underlying surface and putting a stop to the spread of the flames.

Coating Thickness & Coverage

To achieve the desired fire protection, it is crucial to meet the minimum dry film thickness (DFT) upon complete drying. A suitable way to determine the DFT it can be estimated in its wet state using a wet film thickness (WFT) gauge.

Each coat should achieve a coverage of 1.43 Square Metres Per Litre.

Bal-29 and BAL-40 application guide
FIRECOAT Exterior BAL-40 in just two coats

If you are looking to get your property certified to BAL-40 level using FIRECOAT Exterior we would suggest consulting with a qualified building surveyor or fire engineer. They can ensure that our product meets the specific requirements of your application and complies with local regulations.

For more information see our products page here.

FIRECOAT joins an international project team to showcase new methods of affordable and sustainable house construction.

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionising the future of housing worldwide FIRECOAT has joined forces with international experts to showcase methods in sustainable home construction at the University of California, Davis.

The project centres around a 37-square-metre ‘Demo Hut,’ a highly anticipated prototype that signifies a new era in residential building practices globally.

The collaborative effort brings together the expertise of builders, housing professionals, and academics, all with the aim of creating energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and cost-effective homes.

Innovative building methods

The Demo Hut, located on the UC Davis campus, serves as a best practice model for future housing developments.

It incorporates state-of-the-art materials, methods, and systems designed to meet four crucial criteria:

“Our goal is to demonstrate that sustainable, energy-efficient homes can be both affordable and resilient to climate change,” says Justin Rooney, Managing Director of Flame Security International.

“FIRECOAT's fire-resistant paints are a critical component in achieving this vision” he says.

FIRECOAT provided its innovative exterior and interior paints, which offer unparalleled fire resistance.

These paints are the result of a collaborative effort with the University of New South Wales and have been awarded the world’s first BAL-40 rating for fire protection.

“Being part of this international collaborative group underscores our commitment to addressing major social challenges through innovation,” says Rooney.

“Our partnership with leading global experts allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in fire management and resistance.”

FIRECOAT values partnership for results

Working with leading international partners is a core focus of business for FIRECOAT, part of a company committed to solving major social challenges by developing highly innovative new products and services. 

Partnership is a key strategy for achieving these goals, and launching revolutionary products like FIRECOAT allows engagement with other pioneers in fire management and resistance anywhere in the world in pursuit of excellence. It’s through productive interaction like this that climate resilient homes and sustainable, energy-efficient buildings can become a reality. 

‘As a proudly Australian industry leader in fire protection, FIRECOAT was honoured to be invited to participate in this international collaborative group,’ says Justin.

FIRECOAT Exterior and Interior paints are themselves borne of partnership. The globally leading fire-retardant paints were developed through a collaboration with the University of New South Wales, which seeks to combat property damage and loss from bushfires. 

For media enquiries or to contact us directly click here.

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