Hempel A/S has announced the launch of Hempafire Optima 515, the latest addition to its waterborne cellulosic passive fire protection (PFP) range. Developed for civil infrastructure projects, the new product is designed to protect interior steel structures while helping customers reduce paint consumption and total application costs, notes a press communiqué from the company.

Hempafire Optima 515 provides protection for steel exposed to cellulosic fire scenarios, offering fire ratings of up to 150 minutes. It has been tested in accordance with the BS 476 standard and certified by the third-party certification body ApplusFire.

“Passive fire protection has always been about safety, but today’s projects also require more efficient application and reduced material consumption,” says Roger Soler, Product Manager C-PFP at Hempel A/S. “With Hempafire Optima 515, we are strengthening our waterborne PFP offering for civil infrastructure projects while helping customers meet certified fire protection requirements and improve efficiency on site.”

Hempafire Optima 515 is engineered for productivity and cost efficiency across low- to mid-section factor open steel sections, which represent a large share of structural steel fire protection projects. Its advanced thermal insulation performance delivers certified fire protection with reduced dry film thickness requirements, supporting optimized material consumption while maintaining compliance.

Developed to enhance application efficiency within its class, Hempafire Optima 515 features a high 75% solids content. The product can be applied with ease at up to 1.5 mm DFT per coat and dries rapidly to a smooth, high-quality finish. This enables most steel sections to achieve the required fire protection rating in just two coats within a single working shift.

The result is a faster, more streamlined application process that reduces labour requirements, shortens project timelines, minimises downtime and lowers overall project costs, delivering greater value for both contractors and asset owners alike.