Can I use intumescent paint instead of fire door seals?

[Guest JeffNu]

Hi,

I am upgrading my paneled doors to FD30 rating, but have no intumescent seals in the door sides. Can I paint these with the same intumescent paints to achieve a seal there in palce of using intumsecent strips?

Any advice you could offer would be appreciated.

Best,

Jeff

[Safelincs]

Hi Jeff

Intumescent paint would most likely not do the trick, as the paint would probably not be thick enough to swell sufficiently to fill the gap. And if it would fail you would be entirely on your own taking the responsibility. Also, the paint has no capability to hold fire smoke back. If you need a simple retrofit solution you can use surface mounted fire door seals

Harry

[Guest Glenn munn]

Hi there I’ve got a painting job to do in London painting 62 door and frames they have asked me to quote them for painting with class o fire retardant paint. Any idea how much per door and frame would cost me to paint including the labour and material cost.  I was thinking around £150/200 per door for full prep undercoat and top coat  am I correct or to cheap or to expensive. 

[AnthonyB]

On 27/10/2025 at 18:44, Guest Glenn munn said:

Hi there I’ve got a painting job to do in London painting 62 door and frames they have asked me to quote them for painting with class o fire retardant paint. Any idea how much per door and frame would cost me to paint including the labour and material cost.  I was thinking around £150/200 per door for full prep undercoat and top coat  am I correct or to cheap or to expensive. 

Better to get a supply quote & application instructions direct from the experts as there are requirements on how many coats are required to get the desired performance

https://envirograf.com/product/benefits-of-intumescent-paint-for-wood/

It can't just be any old fire rated paint or it won't actually do anything - make sure that it has been tested for upgrading use. Also often the donor door has to be of a type suitable for upgrading.