A jet fire is not simply a hotter version of an ordinary fire. It is a high-intensity fire scenario where a pressurized release of flammable material can produce a concentrated flame with severe heat exposure and potentially damaging flame impingement on nearby equipment.
For oil & gas facilities, refineries, petrochemical plants, LNG terminals and other high-hazard environments, passive fire protection has to be designed around credible fire scenarios—not just normal fire conditions.
This is where CharCoat JF is engineered to perform.
CharCoat JF is a two-component, 100% epoxy-based intumescent coating designed for structural steel, vessels, piping, actuators and valves exposed to cellulosic and hydrocarbon fires, including high-intensity jet fires. CharCoat identifies ISO 22899-1:2007 for jet-fire resistance and states performance against jet-fire conditions reaching up to 1300°C.
What Happens During a Jet Fire?
A jet fire can develop when a pressurized flammable fluid escapes through an opening and ignites.
Instead of a relatively diffuse flame, the release can create a directed, high-velocity flame.
That creates a particularly demanding fire exposure for nearby assets.
In an industrial facility, the affected equipment could include:
- Structural steel
- Process piping
- Pressure vessels
- Valves
- Actuators
- Other critical equipment
The objective of passive fire protection is not to stop the fuel release or extinguish the fire.
Its role is different:
Protect the asset from the consequences of the fire for the required period.
The Jet Fire Scenario: Step by Step
1. A Pressurized Release Occurs
A jet-fire event begins with the release of a flammable material under pressure.
The released material forms a high-velocity stream that can encounter nearby equipment or structural components.
In an oil & gas environment, this makes the location and geometry of protected assets particularly important when developing a fire protection strategy.
2. The Released Material Ignites
Once the released material ignites, the result can be a concentrated jet flame.
The flame can directly impinge on nearby steel, piping, vessels, valves or actuators.
This is fundamentally different from simply having a fire somewhere inside a facility.
The protected asset can be directly exposed to the flame.
3. Extreme Heat Reaches the Protected Asset
The surrounding steel or equipment begins absorbing heat from the fire.
As steel temperature rises, its ability to carry structural loads can be reduced.
For critical process equipment, excessive temperature can also affect the ability of components to continue performing their intended function.
This is why the duration and intensity of the fire exposure matter—not simply whether a fire occurs.
4. The CharCoat JF System Reacts
This is where intumescent technology becomes important.
CharCoat JF is a 100% epoxy-based intumescent coating.
When exposed to fire, the coating reacts and rapidly forms a thick, insulating char layer. That char creates a protective barrier between the fire and the underlying substrate.
The objective is straightforward:
Fire → Heat → Intumescent reaction → Protective char → Reduced heat transfer
The coating therefore changes its physical structure when subjected to the fire environment.
5. The Protective Char Becomes the Barrier
The expanded char acts as an insulating layer.
Instead of allowing the underlying substrate to receive heat as rapidly as it would without protection, the char helps slow the transfer of heat.
This is particularly important during severe hydrocarbon fire exposure, where maintaining the protected asset’s function for the required period can be critical.
CharCoat states that JF provides jet-fire protection under ISO 22899-1, with jet-fire conditions identified up to 1300°C. Its product information also identifies hydrocarbon pool-fire protection at 1100°C.
Why Jet Fire Protection Is Different
A common mistake is to treat every fire exposure as the same.
They are not.
Cellulosic Fire
Typically associated with ordinary combustible materials found in buildings and general infrastructure.
Hydrocarbon Pool Fire
Associated with burning pools of flammable hydrocarbons.
Jet Fire
Associated with a pressurized release that produces a concentrated, high-intensity flame.
The fire scenario determines the protection system that needs to be considered.
CharCoat JF is specifically positioned for hydrocarbon jet and pool fire protection, while also being identified for cellulosic fire exposure.
Why an Epoxy Intumescent System?
CharCoat JF uses a 100% epoxy-based formulation.
According to CharCoat, the epoxy composition provides adhesion and durability, while the solvent-free formulation contains 0% VOC. The system is also described as weather- and UV-resistant after curing, including service environments down to −40°C.
This combination is important for industrial assets that may face demanding environmental conditions before a fire ever occurs.
Passive fire protection must remain part of the asset—not simply perform during the fire event.
Where Can CharCoat JF Be Used?
CharCoat identifies applications including:
- Structural steel
- Vessels
- Piping
- Actuators
- Valves
- Refineries
- Petrochemical plants
- LNG terminals
- Oil & gas terminals
- Fuel tankers and transportation assets
The coating can be applied using airless spray, plural-component spray, or casting for complex geometries, according to the product information.
The Worst-Case Scenario Is the One You Design For
Passive fire protection should not be selected simply because a product can withstand a high temperature.
The more important question is:
What fire scenario does the asset need to withstand, for how long, and under what test or project requirements?
For jet-fire applications, that means considering the specific fire scenario, the protected substrate, required thickness, application method and applicable test requirements.
CharCoat JF’s listed dry-film-thickness range is 5–11 mm, depending on the fire-protection requirements.
The correct system thickness should therefore be determined from the applicable project requirements and technical documentation—not by assuming one thickness fits every application.
Inside a Jet Fire: The Protection Story
The process can be simplified into five stages:
01 — Release
A pressurized flammable material escapes.
02 — Ignition
The release ignites and produces a concentrated flame.
03 — Flame Impingement
The flame directly exposes nearby equipment or structural components.
04 — Intumescent Reaction
CharCoat JF reacts to the intense heat and forms an insulating char.
05 — Thermal Protection
The char helps slow heat transfer to the protected substrate.
The fire continues. The protection works to buy the asset time.
What Makes CharCoat JF Different?
CharCoat JF combines several characteristics intended for demanding industrial environments:
100% Epoxy-Based
Designed for adhesion and durability.
Intumescent Technology
Forms a thick insulating char when exposed to fire.
Jet Fire Protection
Tested to ISO 22899-1 for high-intensity jet-fire conditions.
Solvent-Free
CharCoat identifies the formulation as 0% VOC.
Complex Geometry Application
Can be applied by spray or casting for components such as valves and actuators.
Outdoor Durability
Designed for demanding environmental conditions after curing.
Jet Fire Protection Is About More Than the Flame
The most important question during a major fire isn’t simply:
“How hot is the fire?”
It is:
“Can the protected asset continue to perform when exposed to that fire?”
In high-hazard facilities, structural steel, piping, vessels, valves and actuators can all play critical roles in maintaining the integrity and operation of the facility.
That is why passive fire protection needs to be engineered around the actual hazard.
A jet fire creates an exceptionally demanding fire exposure.
The flame can directly impinge on critical assets, exposing them to intense heat and potentially compromising their performance.
CharCoat JF is engineered around this type of scenario.
Its two-component, 100% epoxy-based intumescent technology reacts under fire exposure to form a thick insulating char designed to shield the protected substrate from extreme temperatures. CharCoat identifies ISO 22899-1:2007 jet-fire resistance and conditions up to 1300°C in its product information.
Because when the worst-case scenario happens, passive fire protection isn’t about making the fire disappear.
It’s about helping critical assets withstand the exposure.
Explore CharCoat JF
Learn more about the coating, technical specifications, applications and fire-test information on the official CharCoat JF product page.
FAQ
What is jet fire protection?
Jet fire protection is passive fire protection designed to protect critical assets exposed to intense flames produced by the release and ignition of pressurized flammable materials.
How is jet fire different from pool fire?
A jet fire involves a pressurized release that produces direct, high-intensity flame impingement, while a pool fire results from the burning of accumulated liquid fuel.
What is an intumescent jet fire coating?
An intumescent jet fire coating is a fire-protective coating that reacts when exposed to high temperatures and forms an insulating char layer that helps protect the underlying substrate.
What standard is used for jet fire testing?
ISO 22899-1 is used for jet fire resistance testing. CharCoat JF’s official product information references ISO 22899-1:2007.
How hot can a jet fire become?
CharCoat JF’s product documentation states protection against jet fires reaching up to 1300°C as per ISO 22899-1.
Where is jet fire protection used?
Jet fire protection can be used for critical assets such as structural steel, piping, vessels, valves and actuators in oil & gas, petrochemical and LNG facilities.
What is CharCoat JF?
CharCoat JF is a two-component, 100% epoxy-based intumescent coating developed for hydrocarbon and high-intensity jet fire protection.
