Presented by: Skip Vernon, Coating and Lining Technologies, Inc.

How to Update and Develop an Effective Coating Specification

Introduction

• The purpose of this webinar is to discuss some best practices for preparing and administering a quality specification for application of high performance protective coatings and linings. This webinar focuses on strategies for developing an appropriate set of requirements for applying coatings and linings to obtain maximum coating system performance and service life. A well-prepared and administered specification can help ensure the contractor performs the work according to the specification in the allotted time.

What is a Specification?

• The use of the term “specification” is subject to differing interpretations. – It can be used to describe that portion of

the Contract Documents comprising all the technical sections.

– Or, if talking to someone in the paint business, the user may simply be referring to section 09900 “Painting”

– In this presentation we only address the painting section

What is a Specification?

• Specifications take on many forms and formats.

• There are four basic methods of specifying. They include:– Proprietary– Prescriptive– Performance– Reference Standard

Specification?• The specification is a part of the Contract. If a Contract

is defined as a set of promises a court will enforce – then the coating specification embodies the coating related promises made by the Contractor to the Owner.

• A coating specification can be long, detailed and complex or a coating specification can be short and simple.

• The goal is to maximize clarity and minimize confusion, while clearly communicating what the Owner/Buyer wants.

• It can be considered a rulebook for the Contractor and QC and QA personnel responsible for inspecting work.

Specification

• The goal is create a specification that clearly defines the work and answers the question “what did the Contractor promise to do?”

• A well written specification is – Clear– Concise– Correct– Complete

Specification• While it can be simply stated, creating a specification

that meets the 4 C’s is difficult.• Most specifications will likely generate questions –

those questions should be clarified through proper procedures and conflict reconciliation language (e.g., addenda, more stringent, RFI, change orders, etc.).

• It often takes years of experience and the proper qualifications to develop a good coating specification.

• Use of a qualified coating consultant can be important, especially for Engineers and Architects with limited coating expertise.

Specification

• A well-written specification details the qualitative and quantitative requirements for the finished product so that all of the parties are clear on the requirements.

Specification

• Several organizations provide information and training on writing specifications. They include:– Construction Specification Institute (CSI)-

provides more general information on proper specification writing.

– SSPC – provides more specific information on coatings, including standards, guides, and good painting practices.

Specification• SSPC provides documents that can

assist with the preparation of a coating specification. They include:– SSPC Technical Insight Reports:

Preparing and Using Protective Coating Specifications

– SSPC Guide Documents (e.g., SSPC PA 1)

– SSPC Standards (e.g., surface cleanliness standards, etc.)

SSPC Technical Insight Report: Preparing and Using Protective Coating Specifications

• The purpose of this report is to describe some best practices for preparing and administering a quality specification for application of high performance protective coatings and linings to industrial structures.

SSPC-PA 1

• SSPC-PA 1, Shop, Field, and Maintenance Painting of Steel– Provides info on good

painting practices

Key Elements of a Coating Specification

• Scope of project• References• Precedence of documents• Definitions• Submittals• Work Plan

Key Elements (cont’d)

• Quality Assurance• Delivery and storage of materials and

equipment• Description of project site conditions• Specified type of abrasives• Procedures and equipment for inspection

testing

Key Elements (cont’d)

• Specified types of coating materials • Coating materials delivered and their

identification• Acceptable ambient conditions• Pre-cleaning prior to surface preparation• Blast cleaning of surfaces• Coating application

Key Elements (cont’d)

• QC inspection and documentation• Warranty

Scope of Project

• Introduction that describes the general scope of the project. It should provide enough information about the project so that potential bidders could decide if this is a project they would be qualified to perform.

Scope of Project (cont’d)

• It should provide a description of the project location

• May include a map or plan of the work area

• It might also include information on what areas ARE to be coated and what areas are NOT to be coated

References• The reference section of the specification typically provides

a listing of all documents cited in the specification. (Listing documents that are not cited elsewhere in the specifications can create confusion and generate requests for clarification.)

Precedence of Documents

• An order of precedence can be established in the event there is a conflict or an ambiguity in the documents.

Definitions

• Include definitions of words and terms used in the specification, especially when there is a concern that other participants could define the term differently.

• Acronyms, such as WFT, DFT, etc., can be defined.

Submittals

• Can be used for products, practices, or procedures to be used to complete the work.

• Used to verify Contractor intends to use and/or understands the use of the specified products and procedures.

• Documentation (preferably objective quality evidence) the Contractor provides to the Owner to support complete conformance.

Submittals (cont’d)

• A sample of submittal materials required prior to beginning the work:–Manufacturer’s PDS–Manufacturer’s MSDS– Samples of specified liquid coatings– Coating draw-down films– Any required permits, access rights, etc.

Submittals (cont’d)

– Laboratory test results– Certificates of product

conformity – Project specific work plan– Project specific safety,

health and environmental protection plan

– Containment drawings– Warranty

Submittals (cont’d)

• Sample submittals required after initiation of production:– Request for information (RFI) log– Contract change order log– Submittal log– Daily production reports – Daily inspection and test reports

Submittals (cont’d)– Corrective action

requests (CARs)– Nonconformity log– Corrective action log– Preventive action

log

Work Plan

• The specification might require the contractor to develop a work plan that translates the requirements of the specification into a series of steps for field implementation.

Work Plan (cont’d)

• The work plan may include such procedures as:– Health, safety and environmental

compliance plan– Confined space entry plan– Procurement of necessary material– Procurement of necessary jobsite and

support equipment

Work Plan (cont’d)

• The work plan may include:– Assigning the management team to the

project– Obtaining craft workers with the necessary

skills– Mobilization of all of the above– Worker training and personal protective

equipment (PPE) needed– Inspection and test plan

Work Plan (cont’d)

• May also include written procedures detailing the individual production processes being conducted

• Examples include:– Mobilization and setup– Abrasive blasting– Coating application and curing– Clean-up

Work Plan (cont’d)

• When using a work plan, optional hold or check points may be placed in the specification to permit inspection for conformance of work to date before proceeding further.

✓-OK

Work Plan (cont’d)

• While some specifiers want to create highly detailed specifications with strict submittal requirements and a full approval process, doing so may result in a highly prescriptive specification that would impact warranty obligations.

• Means and methods are typically left to the discretion of the Contractor.

Quality Assurance

• A quality assurance section of the specification includes prerequisites, standards, limitations and criteria that define the quality for products and work. They may include, but are not limited to:– Qualifications of the coating contractor– Qualifications of Certified Protective Coating

Specialist (PCS)

Quality Assurance (cont’d)

– Qualifications of coating inspection company

– Qualifications of a quality control (QC) coating inspector

– Qualifications of individuals performing abrasive blasting, waterjetting, coating application, airless spray and plural component spray

Quality Assurance (cont’d)– Qualifications of a certified industrial hygienist (CIH)– Qualifications of a testing laboratory for coatings– Qualifications of a testing laboratory for abrasives– Certifications of materials– Regulatory requirements– Field sampling requirements– Pre-construction conference and coordination

meeting

Delivery and Storage of Materials and Equipment• A delivery and

storage section of the specification could contain special requirements for packing and shipping products, equipment and their components

Description of Project Site Conditions• Information on any environmental

limitations or other conditions at the project site that might affect project work would be presented

• This section may also describe where the contractor can locate work, equipment, trailers, lunch room and shower facilities

Abrasives

• The chosen abrasives should be tested pursuant to the specified Standards (e.g., SSPC SP 6) requirements, (SSPC-AB 1, 2, 3 or 4) for conformance to specification before use.

Equipment for Inspection Testing• Identify the inspection equipment necessary or

required to determine compliance (e.g., surface cleanliness, surface profile and coating thickness, etc.) to be available at the work site for production workers to monitor the quality of their own work and QC personnel to verify the specification requirements are being met.

Specified Types of Coating Materials• A materials section of the specification lists

the coating materials to be used on the project. It may provide:– The names and code identifications of approved

products– A qualified product list (QPL)– A description of the generic material– A description of the required performance

Coating Materials Delivered and Their Identification

• Upon delivery, the coating materials must be identified as those specified or submitted and approved and having sufficient remaining shelf life to meet contract requirements.

• It is good practice to require checking of the condition of the containers upon delivery and the condition of the coating in the containers prior to mixing.

Acceptable Ambient Conditions• This section of the specification can reference

manufacturer’s recommendations or list applicable ambient conditions for surface preparation and coating application and curing. Ambient conditions include, but are not limited to:– Air temperature– Surface temperature– Dew point/relative humidity– Wind speed– Lighting for all work areas

Pre-Cleaning Prior to Surface Preparation• This section of the specification describes

the required pre-cleaning actions before the actual surface preparation for coating

• It also describes the required levels of pre-cleaning

Blast Cleaning of Surfaces • Any required special equipment or procedures

should be specified along with the required level of cleaning and profiling.

• Other requirements that may be included are:– Field checking for cleanliness of abrasives– Field checking for cleanliness of air supply

used in abrasive blasting and blow down– Quality of water used in waterjetting

Coating Application

• The application section of the specification would identify acceptable (or unacceptable) methods to apply the specified materials

• Manufacturer’s Recommendations

Coating Application (cont’d)

• Application concerns are listed below:– Condition in container– The ratio by volume of the components to

combine– Instruction for mixing components– Amount of thinner, if any, permitted– Ambient conditions for application– Induction time at different temperatures

Coating Application (cont’d)

– Pot life at different temperatures

– Recoat window– Contrasting colors for

multiple coat systems– Stripe coating

requirements– Acceptable dry film

thickness range

QC Inspection and Documentation• Project documentation, including inspection and

testing records, should be compiled.• When compiled in sufficient detail, they can be used

to determine the contractor’s compliance with specification requirements and approved procedures

• Content and form should be identified or agreed upon

• Forms should be signed by the coatings inspector

Warranty• The warranty section of the specification is

important. It is a continuing obligation under the Contract. They typically require:– That all materials and equipment be new and

of good quality– That the work be free from defects – That the work conforms to all contract

documents– The length of time the warranty is in effect

Summary

• A coating specification is a legally binding document. It is

typically a contract between the owner and the contractor. A

coatings specification is part of a contract; it should be

workable and understandable. A coating specification should

also be practical, allowing the owner to effectively

communicate the desired outcome. The specification should

not be unreasonably restrictive, but be detailed enough to

fully and accurately describe the desired end product.