KCC has reaffirmed its position as a leader in construction safety innovation with the launch of FIREMASK 3005, the thinnest fire-resistant coating currently available in South Korea. On May 14, the company announced that FIREMASK 3005 received official three-hour fire-resistance certification from the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT). This certification applies to steel structures exceeding 12 floors or 50 meters in height, verifying that the product provides effective thermal protection under extreme fire conditions.

Fire-resistant coatings are essential safety materials designed to protect structural steel during a fire. These coatings expand significantly—often several dozen times their original thickness—when exposed to high temperatures, forming an insulating layer that delays heat penetration and slows structural collapse. This added protection provides critical time for building occupants to evacuate and for first responders to manage the fire in its early stages.

What sets FIREMASK 3005 apart is its remarkable thinness. At just 9.45 millimeters for columns and beams, it is the thinnest coating in Korea to meet the stringent three-hour fire-resistance requirement. In contrast, conventional epoxy-based fire-resistant coatings generally require 10 to 11 millimeters of thickness to achieve the same rating. This innovation was made possible through KCC’s proprietary thin-film technology, which significantly reduces the amount of material required without compromising performance.

The thinner application not only ensures reliable fire protection but also contributes to construction efficiency by reducing the time and cost involved in material transportation, application and labor. This advantage is particularly beneficial in large-scale and high-rise construction projects, where optimization of both resources and space is crucial.

FIREMASK 3005 is currently being supplied for use in a major global data center project located in Incheon. Looking ahead, KCC expects the product to see expanded application across high-rise buildings, industrial plants, warehouses and other facilities requiring advanced fire safety solutions. Its slim profile and high-performance capabilities make it especially useful in maximizing usable space and offering flexibility during the structural design phase.

Beyond FIREMASK 3005, KCC continues to strengthen its portfolio of fire-resistant coatings, offering certified options for one-hour, two-hour and three-hour protection across various construction needs. To enhance application efficiency and quality, KCC has partnered with Graco, a global leader in coating equipment, to introduce the XM PFP system. This marks Korea’s first introduction of epoxy-based fire-resistant coating equipment and is specifically designed for high-viscosity, two-component coatings used in oil and gas facilities, offshore structures and industrial buildings.

KCC is also expanding its product range to include both oil-based and water-based fire-resistant coatings optimized for diverse structural applications.

“FIREMASK 3005 delivers outstanding performance with reduced cost and simplified construction,” said Ham Sung-soo, executive director of KCC’s Distribution Coating Business Division. “We will continue to develop advanced solutions that offer value to both suppliers and end users across a wide range of industries.”