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Surface Preparation

Surface Preparation for Fire Protection

The Foundation of Every Compliant Fire-Protection System

Surface preparation is the critical first stage in any intumescent fire-protection system. The condition of the substrate directly determines adhesion, coating build, durability and verified fire performance. Without correct preparation, even the highest-performing products will fail to meet their tested fire rating.
Video Explainer

Surface Preparation Methods for Structural Steel

This short video explains the different surface preparation methods we use, when each one is specified, and why correct preparation is critical before any intumescent coating is applied.
Watch Explainer Video
Close-up of a steel beam with rust and flaking paint under a concrete surface.
Substrate Condition Importance

Why Substrate Condition Determines System Performance

Structural steel must be clean, sound and properly prepared before any primer or intumescent coating is applied. Contamination, corrosion or weak underlying coatings prevent adhesion, compromise Wet Film Thickness accuracy and undermine fire-rating compliance. Correct preparation ensures the system performs exactly as tested and certified.
Correct Method

Selecting the Correct Preparation Method

The appropriate preparation method is determined by substrate condition, contamination type and project requirements.
Use Dry Ice Blasting When
Existing coatings are failing or contaminated and the substrate must be preserved without abrasive damage.
Use Shot / Grit Blasting When
Heavy corrosion, mill scale or rust is present and a clean steel profile is required to meet specification.
Use Mechanical Abrasion When
Sound coatings require roughening or preparation is limited to localised areas.
Use Cleaning & Degreasing When
Surfaces are fundamentally sound but require final removal of contaminants before coating application.
Compliance

Compliance & Environmental Controls

Surface preparation must align not only with cleanliness requirements, but also with environmental conditions and fire-rating system specifications.

Humidity Control

Moisture inhibits adhesion and traps contaminants. Preparation is carried out in controlled conditions, typically below 85% relative humidity.

Corrosion Management

Active corrosion must be fully removed. Any bare steel exposed during preparation is spot-primed immediately to prevent flash rust.

Mill Scale Removal

Mill scale is brittle and non-adherent and must be removed by abrasive blasting to SA 2.5 to achieve reliable coating adhesion.

Contamination Elimination

Oil, grease, dust and salts must be fully removed. Residual contamination compromises adhesion and can cause system failure under fire exposure.

Surface Preparation Methods for Structural Steel

Different substrate conditions require different preparation techniques. We assess corrosion levels, existing coatings and site constraints to specify the most appropriate method for compliance and long-term performance.
All Prep Methods
Gloved hand holding a handful of coarse abrasive blasting media with work boots and a ladder in the background.
Surface Prep
Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive blasting used to remove coatings, corrosion, and surface contaminants, providing a clean, profiled substrate for long-term coating performance.
Abrasive Blasting Service
Indoor construction scene showing two steel beams, one old rusted and one painted, with a yellow ladder and orange equipment in front of a white paneled wall.
Surface Prep
Dry Ice Blasting
Non-abrasive surface preparation for removing contamination, failing coatings and residues without damaging the substrate. Particularly suited to sensitive environments and refurbishment works.
Dry Ice Blasting Service
Surface Prep
Mechanical Abrasion
Controlled preparation using hand and mechanical tools where full blasting is not required. Often used for localised preparation, edge treatment and touch-up areas.
Mechanical Abrasion Service
Construction worker in high-visibility vest and gloves working on a large steel support column inside a building under renovation.
Surface Prep
Cleaning & Degreasing
Removal of surface contaminants such as oils, dirt and residues to ensure compatibility and adhesion of fire-protection systems on new or previously coated steel.
Cleaning & Degreasing Service
Man wearing a white protective suit, yellow safety vest, and gray hard hat taking a mirror selfie in a restroom with blue stalls and a soap dispenser.
Myles Howson
Managing Director
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Featured Projects

Steel Fire Protection Delivered

Representative projects demonstrating our methodology across sectors and steel types.
View Projects
Intumescent Fire Protection & Structural Steel Coating
297 Oxford Street, London
297 Oxford Street – Structural Steel Fire Protection Upgrade
Fire protection upgrade to exposed structural steel using intumescent coatings, delivered during night shifts to maintain programme continuity.
Show project
Intumescent Fire Protection – Structural Steel
P&G Manufacturing Facility, Tilbury / Grays, Essex
Procter & Gamble – Structural Steel Fire Protection Upgrade
Application of a 60-minute intumescent fire protection system to structural steel within a live manufacturing environment.
Show project
Intumescent Fire Protection & Decorative Coating
Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place, London, W1J
Devonshire House – Structural Steel Fire Protection Upgrade
Intumescent fire protection applied to exposed structural steel following mechanical preparation, delivering a 120-minute fire rating within a live office environment.
Show project
Intumescent Fire Protection & Structural Steel Coating
297 Oxford Street, London
297 Oxford Street – Structural Steel Fire Protection Upgrade
Fire protection upgrade to exposed structural steel using intumescent coatings, delivered during night shifts to maintain programme continuity.
Show project
Intumescent Fire Protection – Structural Steel
P&G Manufacturing Facility, Tilbury / Grays, Essex
Procter & Gamble – Structural Steel Fire Protection Upgrade
Application of a 60-minute intumescent fire protection system to structural steel within a live manufacturing environment.
Show project
Intumescent Fire Protection & Decorative Coating
Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place, London, W1J
Devonshire House – Structural Steel Fire Protection Upgrade
Intumescent fire protection applied to exposed structural steel following mechanical preparation, delivering a 120-minute fire rating within a live office environment.
Show project
From the founder

“After a decade in the protective coatings industry, I built FireCoatings to deliver compliant fire protection without unnecessary noise — just clear documentation, a controlled application process, and professional site practice.”

Myles Howson
Managing Director
eyebrow
"Thank you Myles and team for all your hard work on this one. It wasn't easy working around the schedule but you got it done without causing any further issues. It was a pleasure to work with you."
Chris
Project Manager, Millcroft Services
Interior view of a construction site featuring steel beams and columns painted with white protective coating and temporary support props.
eyebrow
"NuColour worked efficiently around our programme and delivered a on time at late notice. The team were organised, flexible, and professional throughout the works."
Ciprian
Site Manager, Principal Contractor – GEMCO
Close-up of a bright yellow structural steel column with rivets installed on a construction site indoors.
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location index

Areas We Cover

NuColour delivers specialist contracting services across London and the surrounding regions. Our teams operate throughout the South East, supporting commercial, industrial, and large-scale refurbishment projects with consistent standards, professional oversight, and experienced delivery.
Intumescent Coatings Acton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Archway, London.
Intumescent Coatings Balham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Barking, London.
Intumescent Coatings Battersea, London.
Intumescent Coatings Beckenham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Belvedere, London.
Intumescent Coatings Bethnal Green, London.
Intumescent Coatings Brentford, London.
Intumescent Coatings Brixton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Camberwell, London.
Intumescent Coatings Camden, London.
Intumescent Coatings Canary Wharf, London.
Intumescent Coatings Chelsea, London.
Intumescent Coatings Chigwell, London.
Intumescent Coatings Chiswick, London.
Intumescent Coatings City of London, London.
Intumescent Coatings Clapham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Covent Garden, London.
Intumescent Coatings Dagenham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Dalston, London.
Intumescent Coatings Deptford, London.
Intumescent Coatings East Ham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Edgware, London.
Intumescent Coatings Epping, London.
Intumescent Coatings Erith, London.
Intumescent Coatings Finchley, London.
Intumescent Coatings Finsbury Park, London.
Intumescent Coatings Fitzrovia, London.
Intumescent Coatings Fulham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Golders Green, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hackney, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hammersmith, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hampstead, London.
Intumescent Coatings Harefield, London.
Intumescent Coatings Haringey, London.
Intumescent Coatings Harrow, London.
Intumescent Coatings Havering, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hayes, London.
Intumescent Coatings Highgate, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hillingdon, London.
Intumescent Coatings Holloway, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hornchurch, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hounslow, London.
Intumescent Coatings Hoxton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Ilford, London.
Intumescent Coatings Islington, London.
Intumescent Coatings Kensington, London.
Intumescent Coatings Kensington and Chelsea, London.
Intumescent Coatings Kilburn, London.
Intumescent Coatings Kingston upon Thames, London.
Intumescent Coatings Lambeth, London.
Intumescent Coatings Lewisham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Leyton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Marylebone, London.
Intumescent Coatings Mayfair, London.
Intumescent Coatings Merton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Mill Hill, London.
Intumescent Coatings Mitcham, London.
Intumescent Coatings New Malden, London.
Intumescent Coatings Newham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Northolt, London.
Intumescent Coatings Notting Hill, London.
Intumescent Coatings Orpington, London.
Intumescent Coatings Palmers Green, London.
Intumescent Coatings Peckham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Penge, London.
Intumescent Coatings Plaistow, London.
Intumescent Coatings Poplar, London.
Intumescent Coatings Rainham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Redbridge, London.
Intumescent Coatings Richmond, London.
Intumescent Coatings Richmond upon Thames, London.
Intumescent Coatings Romford, London.
Intumescent Coatings Ruislip, London.
Intumescent Coatings Shepherd's Bush, London.
Intumescent Coatings Shoreditch, London.
Intumescent Coatings Sidcup, London.
Intumescent Coatings Soho, London.
Intumescent Coatings Southgate, London.
Intumescent Coatings Southwark, London.
Intumescent Coatings Staines-upon-Thames, London.
Intumescent Coatings Stockwell, London.
Intumescent Coatings Stratford, London.
Intumescent Coatings Streatham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Surbiton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Sutton, London.
Intumescent Coatings Tooting, London.
Intumescent Coatings Tottenham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Tower Hamlets, London.
Intumescent Coatings Twickenham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Uxbridge, London.
Intumescent Coatings Waltham Forest, London.
Intumescent Coatings Walthamstow, London.
Intumescent Coatings Wandsworth, London.
Intumescent Coatings Wembley, London.
Intumescent Coatings West Ham, London.
Intumescent Coatings Westminster, London.
Intumescent Coatings Wimbledon, London.
Intumescent Coatings Wood Green, London.
Intumescent Coatings Billericay, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Basildon, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Braintree, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Brentwood, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Chelmsford, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Colchester, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Danbury, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Grays, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Harlow, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Hockley, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Maldon, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Loughton, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Rayleigh, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Rochford, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings South Woodham Ferrers, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Tilbury, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Wickford, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Witham, Essex.
Intumescent Coatings Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Hertford, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Radlett, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Watford, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Ware, Hertfordshire.
Intumescent Coatings Ashford, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Canterbury, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Chatham, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Deal, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Dartford, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Dover, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Folkestone, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Gravesend, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Gillingham, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Herne Bay, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Maidstone, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Margate, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Northfleet, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Ramsgate, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Sevenoaks, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Sittingbourne, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Tonbridge, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Whitstable, Kent.
Intumescent Coatings Caterham, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Camberley, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Chertsey, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Esher, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Epsom, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Ewell, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Farnham, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Godalming, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Guildford, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Leatherhead, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Redhill, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Reigate, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Weybridge, Surrey.
Intumescent Coatings Woking, Surrey.
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