Fire-retardant coatings for expos, exhibitions, events and shows

Passive fire protection for cinemas, theatres, trade fairs, festivals and event venues constructed from wood, MDF, honeycomb board, panels and combustible materials.

At trade fairs, exhibitions and events, fire safety must be balanced against tight deadlines, design freedom and a strong visual impact. Stands, backdrops, panelling, platforms, counters and scenic structures are often made from lightweight, easily workable materials that are, however, potentially combustible. Renner Italia’s Firewall fire-retardant coatings help to improve the fire performance of the treated substrates when applied in accordance with certified application system and in line with the project specifications or the event’s technical regulations.

Do you need to protect stands, panels or displays made of wood, MDF or cardboard for a trade fair, exhibition or event?

Request a Firewall technical consultation to identify the most suitable fire-retardant system for the substrate, the required class and the documentation to be submitted.
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Why need fire-retardant coatings at exhibitions, shows and events

Temporary installations are designed to be assembled, dismantled, transported and modified quickly. It is precisely this flexibility that makes it necessary to carefully assess the materials and passive protection measures.

Overcrowding

visitors, exhibitors, technicians and support staff

Flammable material

wood, MDF, plywood, honeycomb board, fabrics and panels

Fast processing times

fast production, coating, transportation, and assembly

Temporary installations

fairs, exhibitions, showrooms, shops and museums

Technical regulations

requirements of exhibition centres, venues and organisers

Documentation

technical data sheets, certificates and declarations of correct application

Active and passive protection

The role of fire-retardant coatings

Active protection

Systems that come into operation when a fire breaks out: fire extinguishers, hydrants, sprinklers, detectors, alarms and fire-suppression systems.

Passive protection

Solutions that limit the spread of fire and smoke: fire-retardant coatings, fire doors, fire compartments, certified claddings.

Firewall coatings fall under the category of passive protection: they do not extinguish fires, but help to reduce the contribution of treated substrates to the fire, within the limits of their certified performance.

Where to apply fire-retardant coatings for fairs, exhibitions, events and shows

Typical usage

cardboard displays

Design considerations

quick assembly and necessary documentation

Typical usage

panels, display cases, backdrops, display stands

Design considerations

protection of spaces open to the public

Typical usage

stages, backdrops, desks, set structures

Design considerations

strong aesthetic impact and temporary use

Typical usage

furniture, movable walls, displays, claddings

Design considerations

brand identity and shop security

Typical usage

decorative panels, displays, floorings, ceilings

Design considerations

aesthetic durability and certified systems

Typical usage

honeycomb board, totems, displays, lightweight walls

Design considerations

specific support to be checked carefully

Compatible materials

What to check before applying the system

Fire-retardant performance does not depend solely on the product, but on the test system: substrate, primer, topcoat, weight, thickness and application methods. Compatibility must always be checked against the latest technical documentation.

Frequent substrates

  • solid wood
  • MDF
  • plywood
  • veneered
  • chipboard
  • decorative panels

Required checks

  • required certification class
  • certified system
  • transparent or pigmented topcoat
  • weight and thicknesses
  • application method
  • intended use

Good to know

A fire-retardant coatings does not make wood non-combustible and is no substitute for a fire safety plan.
Its role is to improve the fire performance of the treated substrate, provided the application process is certified and carried out correctly.

Why choose a certified system?

In the fire protection sector, it is not the certified process that matters: it is the products, the quantities applied, the preparation of the substrate and the drying method.

1

Substrate
analysis

2

Requested
classification

3

Firewall
system

4

Compliant
application

Firewall technical support

Renner Italia supports designers, joinery workshops, contractors, furniture manufacturers and technical managers in selecting the fire-retardant treatment best suited to the substrate, the environment and the required documentation.

Fire safety regulations for fairs, exhibitions and events

Essential references

Fire safety in these premises or spaces with crowds – even if only temporary – must be extremely stringent, as hundreds of people could be concentrated in a small space, creating significant risks in the event of a panic evacuation. Among the key references is the D. M. of 19 August 1996, containing the Technical Regulation governing the broad field of public entertainment and performance venues.
D.M.of 19 August 1996
D.P.R. of 1° August 2011, n. 151
D.M. of 22 November 2022 (RTV V.15)
D.M. of 27 july 2010
At trade fairs, exhibitions and events, fire safety must be balanced against tight deadlines, design freedom and a strong visual impact. Stands, backdrops, panels, platforms, counters and scenic structures are often made from lightweight, easily workable materials that are, however, potentially combustible. Renner Italia’s Firewall fire-retardant coatings help to improve the fire performance of the treated substrates when applied in accordance with certified application systems and in line with the project specifications or the event’s technical regulations.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Using products that are not certified or are not suitable for the substrate.
  • Changing the coating system without technical verification.
  • Reducing coating weights, thicknesses or the number of coats.
  • Failing to provide the documentation required for the project.
  • Confusing reaction to fire with resistance to fire.

Fire-retardant coatings for exhibition, fairs and events

Are fire-retardant coatings compulsory for exhibition stands?
It depends on the event’s technical regulations, the venue, the materials used and the applicable requirements. The assessment must be carried out by a professional or the technical manager responsible for the installation.

Does a fire-retardant coating make any stand safe?
No. It can improve the fire performance of the treated substrate, within the limits of the certified coating system. It does not replace the fire safety design or the procedures required by the venue.

Can fire-retardant coating be applied to honeycomb board?
Yes, provided the coating system is compatible with the substrate and meets the required fire resistance class. Honeycomb board requires specific testing as it is a lightweight, absorbent material widely used in temporary installations.

Is it possible to maintain a high aesthetic standard for the stand?
Yes. Firewall systems are designed to combine technical performance with aesthetic results, offering transparent or pigmented topcoats where provided for by the certified system.

Who is responsible for choosing the correct coating system?
The choice must be agreed upon by the fire safety designer, exhibition stand builder, applicator, substrate manufacturer and Firewall technicians, based on the substrate, the required fire resistance class and the necessary documentation.

Protect exhibition stands, panels, backdrops and temporary displays with a certified fire-retardant system.

Please contact Renner Italia’s Firewall team to discuss support, the required service level, implementation times and the technical documentation available.

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