Does emulsion paint offer any fire protection or will i need to use fireproof paint on my ceilings ?
No – the fire integrity of the ceiling is rated by the thickness of the construction and the facings used eg plasterboard (usually) – amongst other factors like the type of structure and the decking above (if it is a floor). You can get intumescent paint which is ideal for protecting steelwork (which doesn’t burn but can collapse in a fire) but is very expensive – basically it foams and provides and insulated protection when exposed to heat. You may need to consider a fire retardant varnish if you have a wooden ceiling for example, but otherwise you should be fine. The choice of paint finish will affect surface spead of flame (which is why you never paint polystyrene ceiling tiles with oil based paint for example as it can allow a fire to spread like, er, wild fire). Emulsion paint is usually Class 0 or Class 1 so not a problem. You should look at Approved Document B (find it on-line) if you need more explanation.
