Is it mandatory to use fireproof paint in factory buildings?

Representatives from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department ( Ministry of Public Security ) stated that in recent times, many individuals, organizations, and businesses have been confused when implementing legal regulations on fire prevention and fighting. This is especially true for buildings with structures using fire-retardant paint.

Mr. Tran Dung (owner of a business in Nam Dinh ) stated that he wants to expand his factory's production. However, he is unsure whether his factory building requires the use of fire-resistant paint.

Ms. Hoang Thu Ha (the owner of a factory in Bac Ninh ) also expressed confusion regarding fire safety inspection and acceptance procedures.

"The fire safety consulting firm told me that all structural elements of the factory building must be coated with fire-retardant paint to ensure fire safety. But I think, given the large area of the factory, if fire-retardant paint is mandatory, the cost could increase significantly," Ms. Ha said.

green park 1.jpg — Many business owners are concerned about regulations regarding the use of fire-retardant paint in factories and workshops.

Regarding these concerns, a representative from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department stated that the misunderstandings concerning the regulations on the use of fire-resistant coatings for construction projects mainly stem from investors' lack of understanding of fire safety regulations.

The representative from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department explained that, according to the National Technical Standard QCVN 06:2020/BXD on Fire Safety for Buildings and Structures, buildings, when designed, must have structural solutions, layout, space, and engineering solutions so that in the event of a fire or explosion, the building maintains its overall stability and remains unchanged for a certain period of time.

These requirements are clearly expressed in terms of the building's fire resistance rating. Accordingly, the structural components of the building must achieve a minimum fire resistance limit corresponding to the building's fire resistance rating.

Regarding concerns about the mandatory use of fire-resistant paint on steel structures in factories, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department stated that it is not necessary to use fire-resistant paint for all projects and constructions.

According to the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Regulation 06 provides numerous fire prevention and control solutions for investors and contractors to choose from, such as using typical protection similar to the guidelines in Appendix F of Regulation 06:2020/BXD; using fire-resistant mortar or panel-type protection such as gypsum board, fire-resistant panels, etc.; using fire-resistant paint; using water or liquid cooling techniques; using fire-resistant materials, etc.

According to the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, investors and contractors often choose fire-resistant paint for convenience during construction and to enhance aesthetics. However, a crucial factor is fire-resistant design to identify the main load-bearing structures and develop corresponding fire protection measures. This step, however, is often overlooked by investors or consulting firms.

The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department also noted that currently, there are many types of fire-resistant paints on the market, each with different protective effects on different types of structures.

Therefore, when using fire-retardant paint for construction projects, investors must consult and select a type of paint that has been tested and proven effective and suitable for the building's structure.

Source