Hempafire Optima 500

PRODUCT DATADHEET

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Product characteristics

Recommended use
As Intumescent fire protection for structural steel exposed to internal environments up to C3 (ISO-12944). Suitable for I-section beams, H columns, hollow section beams and columns and Cellular Beams. It can be used as repair and touch-up coat for damaged areas of freshly applied Hempafire Optima 500.

Service temperature:

• Indoor conditions.

Certificates / Approvals

• Reaction to fire tested (as part of a coating system with approved primer and topcoat) according to EN13501-1
• Assessed according to BS 476-21, Fire resistance of structural steel up to 180 minutes, includes Cellular Beams.

Features

• Developed to increase the efficiency of the entire PFP project, from initial specification through to final application.
• Increased productivity thanks to high DFT per coat and faster drying, thus providing the required fire protection in less coats, reduced application costs and faster process time.
• Tested and approved according to EN13381-8 for up to 120 minutes fire protection. It has ETA with 3rd party verified CE mark. It has BS-476 Assessment for up to 180 minutes fire protection with ApplusFire certificate.
• One product for most common section types to reduce the complexity in the application and design specification stages.
• Ease of application contributes to smooth surface and excellent aesthetic results of protected steel.
• Environmental Product Declaration with third-party certification available (Type III EPD, acc. to ISO 14025, EN 15804). Product can contribute to EPD credits for LEED and BREEAM projects.
• Complies with EU Directive 2004/42/EC, The Paints Directive on the limitation of volatile organic compounds: subcategory i.

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Product safety

VOC content

Legislation	Value
EU	0 g/L [0.00 lb/US gal]
US (coatings)	25 g/L [0.21 lb/US gal]
US (regulatory)	37 g/L [0.31 lb/US gal]
China	0 g/L [0.00 lb/US gal]

According to ISO 11890-2. According to specific legislation, see details in the Explanatory Notes available at Hempel website, hempel.com or at your local Hempel website.

Handling
Handle with care. Before and during use, observe safety labels on packaging and paint containers and follow all local and national safety regulations. Always consult Hempel’s Safety Data Sheet for this product along with the Product Data Sheet.

For professional use only.

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Product data

Product code
48880

Standard shade / code
White 10000

Gloss
Flat

Volume solids
74 ± 2%

Specific gravity
1.5 kg/L [12 lb/US gal]

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Surface preparation

Cleanliness

• Remove salts, detergents and other contaminants by high pressure fresh water cleaning.
• Abrasive blasting to min. Sa 2½ (ISO 8501-1) / SP 10 (SSPC).
• Zinc coated surfaces: use non-metallic blast media (corundum, garnet, etc.).
• Use approved primer.
• Remove oil, grease and other contaminants by suitable detergent cleaning.
• Remove dust, blast media and loose materials.
• The surface must be dry and clean prior to application.
• For approved substrates other than Carbon Steel, the substrate may require other surface preparations, consult Hempel’s application instructions for detailed information.
• Minor areas can be cleaned by power tool to St 3 provided the surface is roughened and not polished.
• Consult Hempel’s separate Surface Preparation Guidelines for more details.

Maintenance and Repair

• Minor areas may be hand or power tool cleaned instead of abrasive blasting.
  Consult Hempel’s separate Surface Preparation Guidelines for more details.

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Application

Thinner
Not Recommended

Application method

Tool	Thinning max vol.	Application parameters
Airless spray	Not Recommended	Nozzle pressure: 200 bar [2900 psi]

                                | Nozzle orifice: 0.017–0.023"  |

If brush or roller application is used, more coats will be necessary to achieve the specified dry film thickness. In general, thinning is not recommended. Spray data are indicative and subject to adjustment. Pressure is for a material temperature of 20°C [68°F].

Film thickness
The film thickness is dependent on the required fire resistance as well as the massivity factor (Hp/A) of the steel element. Please contact your local Hempel representative. Please consult the Application Instruction for more detailed information. The dry film thickness should not exceed 950 micron [38 mils] Dry Film Thickness per coat equivalent to 1285 micron [51 mils] Wet Film Thickness.

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Application conditions

• To avoid condensation, apply on a clean and dry surface with a temperature that is at least 3°C [5°F] above the dew point.

Application remarks

• Stir well before use.

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Drying and overcoating

Product compatibility

• Previous coat: According to Hempel’s Specification. Only Hempel approved primer. Consult Hempel representative for information on approved primers.
• Subsequent coat: According to Hempel’s Specification. A selection of approved topcoats is available. Consult Hempel representative for information on approved topcoats.

Overcoating details

• Please consult the specific Drying time and Overcoating details for this product.
• Consult Hempel for specific details
• A topcoat cannot be applied before the specified intumescent thickness has been achieved and the coating is sufficiently dry. Consult Hempel representative for more detailed information.

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Storage

Shelf life

Ambient temperature	Product
25°C [77°F]	9 months

Shelf life from date of production, when stored in original, unopened containers. Thereafter, the product quality must be re-inspected. Storage at elevated temperatures may reduce shelf life. For advice, please consult Hempel.

Storage conditions

• Temperature must not go below 5°C [41°F] during transport and storage.
• In case shelf life is exceeded, the product must be re-evaluated before use. Please contact a Hempel representative.

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References

Product Data Sheet – Hempafire Optima 500
Issued by Hempel A/S – May 2025
Document Version: 4/4
Source: https://www.hempel.com

Technical Guidelines and Explanatory Notes
Last accessed: 28 May 2025
Reference link: https://www.hempel.com/service-and-support/technical-guidelines

Note: Always consult the latest version of the Product Data Sheet and associated documents directly from Hempel’s official website to ensure accuracy and compliance with the most current recommendations.