FSI-Paint

BAL-40 Bushfire attack level 40 is an Australian standard test that measures the fire resistance of buildings when exposed to a simulated bushfire attack. It is also known by the Australian Standards number AS1530.8.1. Until this test of FSI-Paint conducted at Warrington Fire in October 2022, no paint or coating had passed the rigorous testing criteria to achieve the BAL-40 rating. This test simulates increasing levels of ember attack ignited by windborne burning leaves and debris. This, together with increasing heat flux, plus the increased likelihood of exposure to flames constitutes BAL-40.

Warrington Fire is a NATA accredited facility in Melbourne, Australia. A test was conducted on an external, windowed building façade treated with FSI FIRECOAT Exterior. The façade consists of timber weatherboard, specifically radiata pine, the most combustible and commonly used timber in Australia. FSI FIRECOAT Exterior was applied as a primer and undercoat paint, then a standard commercial topcoat – Brown Dulux Weathershield Low-Sheen was applied. The FSI FIRECOAT Exterior was exposed to the flame attack of a BAL-40 furnace for 10 minutes. The façade was monitored using thermocouples to test the internal and rear temperatures and to determine the ability of FSI FIRECOAT Exterior to protect the structural integrity of the building façade, as well as prevent the flames from spreading to the inside and rear of the facade over 60 minutes.

FSI FIRECOAT Exterior succeeded in passing all six of the stringent criteria. This is the first time any paint has achieved the BAL-40 rating.