Monokote Spray Application Ireland

Monokote is a spray-applied cementitious fireproofing product manufactured by GCP Applied Technologies. It has been specified and installed on structural steelwork in commercial buildings across the world for decades and is one of the most thoroughly tested and certified spray-applied fireproofing systems available.

Monokote is applied as a wet spray directly to the surface of structural steel members including columns, beams, and deck soffits. It adheres to the steel surface and dries to form a hard, cementitious coating that provides thermal insulation to the steel during a fire. The coating slows the rate of temperature rise in the steel, maintaining its load-bearing capacity for the required fire resistance period specified in the building regulations.

The product is available in different grades for different applications and fire resistance periods. The required thickness of Monokote for any given structural member is determined by the member size and the required fire resistance period, calculated using certified fire resistance test data for the specific product.

Architects and structural engineers specify Monokote for a number of reasons that make it the preferred spray-applied fireproofing system on many commercial projects in Ireland.

It has an extensive database of certified fire resistance test data covering a very wide range of structural section sizes and fire resistance periods. This makes specification and building control sign-off straightforward compared to systems with more limited test data.

It is compatible with a wide range of structural steel surface conditions including shop-applied primers, which simplifies the interface with the steelwork fabricator and avoids compatibility issues on site.

It can be applied directly to most structural steel surfaces in a single application, covering complex geometries including connection details, web stiffeners, and haunched beam ends that are difficult to protect with board or intumescent systems.

In buildings where the fireproofing will be concealed above a suspended ceiling or within a service void, Monokote provides a cost-effective solution that does not require the aesthetic finish needed for exposed steelwork applications.

We carry out Monokote spray application on structural steelwork across Ireland and Northern Ireland on all types of commercial construction project.

Office buildings and commercial developments where the structural steel frame requires fire protection for the required fire resistance period, typically 60 or 90 minutes.

Schools and educational buildings where fire resistance requirements are determined by the height and occupancy of the building, and where the steelwork is typically concealed above suspended ceilings making Monokote the most practical and cost-effective solution.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities where fire resistance requirements are often higher than standard commercial buildings and where the reliability and certified performance of Monokote is particularly valued by specifiers.

Retail centres and mixed-use developments where large steel-frame structures with extensive roof spans require efficient fireproofing of columns, beams, and roof members.

Industrial and warehouse buildings where the structural steel is often exposed and where the fire resistance requirements are determined by the occupancy and compartment size.

Apartment buildings and residential developments where fire resistance requirements apply to the elements of structure and where Monokote provides a certified solution that building control can readily verify.

Monokote is a wet-applied spray system. The product is mixed with water on site and applied to the steel surface using specialist spray equipment. The application process requires specific equipment, trained operatives, and quality control procedures to ensure the applied thickness and density meet the specified requirements.

Preparation of the steel surface before application is important. The surface must be clean and free from oil, grease, loose mill scale, and any other contamination that would prevent adhesion. The compatibility of any shop-applied primer with Monokote must be confirmed before application begins.

After application, the thickness is verified using calibrated thickness gauges in accordance with the project specification and the product's certification requirements. Density is verified by comparing the applied weight with the covered area. Both measurements are recorded and included in the installation documentation provided at completion.

Drying time depends on the ambient conditions and the thickness applied. In normal conditions Monokote is sufficiently dry to allow follow-on trades to work in the area within 24 to 48 hours of application, though full cure takes longer.

Building regulations in both Ireland and Northern Ireland require structural steel to achieve a specified fire resistance period. The use of Monokote to achieve this requirement is supported by an extensive body of certified test data that building control authorities in Ireland and Northern Ireland are familiar with and accept readily.

We provide full documentation for every Monokote installation including the product data sheet, the relevant fire resistance test data, the thickness and density calculations confirming the specification meets the required fire resistance period for the specific section sizes on the project, and the installation records confirming the applied thickness and density.

Dublin is the most active commercial construction market in Ireland. We carry out Monokote spray application on construction projects across Dublin city and county regularly, including major office developments, residential apartment blocks, retail centres, and public buildings. We are familiar with working within main contractor programmes in busy Dublin construction environments and can provide the programme flexibility that large projects require.

We are based in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, which gives us straightforward access to Belfast and all of Northern Ireland for Monokote spray application work. Northern Ireland building regulations require structural steel fire protection on commercial buildings in the same way as the Republic, and Monokote is equally well accepted by building control authorities in Northern Ireland.