1. Update on SSPC Standards Useful to the Steel Fabrication Industry
2014 North Central States Consortium
October 6-8, 2014 Sioux Falls, SD
William L. Shoup,
SSPC Executive Director

2. Learning Objectives
Update status of SSPC standards, certifications, and training programs useful to steel fabrication industry
Completed New and Revised Standards
Training and Certification
MegaRust 2008

3. What is SSPC?
SSPC is a not-for-profit organization that provides industry standards for “good practice” in industrial painting
Resource for training and certification
Resource for current industry information
Exclusive focus on protective coatings

4. SSPC-PA 17, “Determining Compliance with Specified Profile Range” (2012)
Take readings at minimum of 3 locations on each surface prepared by an individual piece of equipment used during a work shift or 12-hour period
Surfaces prepared by power tool and abrasive blasting are evaluated separately)
Surfaces prepared using different power tools or separate blast pots are evaluated separately
Number of readings at each location is determined by ASTM Method specified from D4417 or D7127, or minimum of 3 readings if not addressed in ASTM Method

5. SSPC-PA 17, “Determining Compliance with Specified Profile Range” (2012)
Average of readings at each location = location average
Average of “location averages” = single “profile measurement” – must be in required range

6. ASTM Profile Measurement Methods
PA 17 references two ASTM standard methods used to determine steel surface profile
ASTM D 4417 – used in the field, 3 methods
Visual Comparator
Depth Micrometer
Replica Tape
ASTM D7127 – mainly used in laboratory
One instrument reads three characteristics – profile, peak count, and maximum peak-to-valley distance

7. Quick Summary of ASTM D 4417 Field Measurement of Surface Profile
Method A – Visual comparator
Compare segments of physical standard to surface
Method B – Depth micrometer (probe)
Record highest of 10 gage readings at each of a specified number of locations
Average of highest readings = “measurement”
Method C – Replica tape
Follow tape manufacturer directions to determine the “reading” on each tape
Average of “readings” from 2 tapes = “measurement”

8. D4417 Method A Visual Comparator

9. ASTM D4417 Method B – Depth Micrometer

10. ASTM D4417 Method C – Replica Tape
Obtain 2 measurements per area

11. ASTM D7127 (Measurement of Abrasive Blast Cleaned Surfaces Using a Portable Stylus Instrument)
A second ASTM method for evaluating surface roughness
Instrument is rarely used in industrial protective coatings industry
Measures surface profile, peak count, and peak-to-valley depth

12. Summary ASTM D7127 – Stylus Profile Tracing Instrument
Take 5 traces of surface 1 inch apart
Each trace is ½ inch long
measures peak count, profile, and greatest distance from peak to valley
Average of profile readings from 5 traces = 1 measurement

13. ASTM D7127 Stylus Profile Tracing Instrument

14. SSPC Guide 19 – “Selecting Coatings for Galvanized Steel” (2012)
Contains recommendations for selecting coatings for galvanized steel based on
Service environment (buried, marine, immersion, insulated, atmospheric
Condition of galvanized surface (new, weathered, deteriorated)
Extent of area being coated (repair, topcoat)

15. Recently Revised Standards
Mineral and Slag Abrasives (SSPC-AB 1)
Determining Compliance with Dry Coating Thickness Requirements (SSPC-PA 2) – 2012
Field Methods for Extraction and Analysis of Soluble Salts on Steel and Other Nonporous Substrates (SSPC-Guide 15) – 2013

16. 2013 Revisions SSPC-AB 1 “Mineral and Slag Abrasives”
Clarifies requirements for
Qualification testing (supplier responsible)
Conformance testing for verification upon receipt
Quality control testing of media in shop or field for oil, conductivity per shift or 12 hour period

17. 2013 Revisions SSPC-AB 1
Appendix B (nonmandatory unless specified as requirement) contains many requirements from MIL-A-22262(sh)
Friability (must meet CARB requirements)
Crystalline silica (must meet Class A –less than 1%)
Soluble/total metal content (must meet California Title 22 Division 4 Section )
Status: Published April 2013

18. 2013 Revisions to SSPC-PA 2 “Procedure for Determining Conformance to Dry Coating Thickness Requirements”
Options for specifying more or less stringent compliance requirements
Clarified process for defining extent of nonconforming areas
Added appendices with info on measuring DFT on edges, pipe exteriors

19. PA 2 Options for Specifier
Thickness……….
Gage Reading
Spot
Reading
Area Measurement
Level 1 
Minimum
Unrestricted
As specified
Maximum
Level 2 
120% of maximum
Level 3  DEFAULT (same as current PA 2 requirement)
80% of minimum
Level 4
150% of maximum
Level 5  

20. Initial Nonconforming 100 ft2 AreaOK
STOP
Dashed line indicates boundary of area painted during work shift
Suspect area preceding a nonconforming spot must be remeasured after corrections are made
(Limit of area coated during work shift)
MegaRust 2008

21. PA 2 Appendices of Interest to Fabricators
PA 2 is intended for use on large flat surfaces
Appendices provide sample protocols for taking measurements on specific configurations such as beams or misc. metal parts
Specifiers can reference appendices in project requirements

22. PA 2 Appendices of Interest to Specifiers
2 methods for measuring DFT on steel beams or girders and on miscellaneous metal parts
Specify Full or Partial Determination
Specify Coating Thickness Restriction Level

23. PA 2 Nonmandatory Appendix Measuring DFT on Steel Beams – Full Determination
Beam divided into 5 sections based on length
1 spot measurement in each of the 5 sections
Each of 12 surfaces is measured independently (each side of web, top and bottom of each flange, toes, etc.)
Average of 5 spots on each surface must be within specified range

25. PA 2 Nonmandatory Appendix Measuring DFT on Steel Beams – Partial Determination
Beams less than 20 ft long – 2 spot measurements on each surface
Beams 20 to 60 ft long – 3 spot measurements on each surface
Each spot measurement must conform to specified DFT

26. PA 2 Nonmandatory Appendix Full DFT on Miscellaneous Metal Parts
1 spot measurement on each surface of part
If part has fewer than 5 surfaces, take multiple spot measurements on large areas for total of 5 spots
If total area of part is over 100 ft2, take 5 spot measurements randomly distributed over each 100 ft2 area of part
Specifier determines how many parts to measure and Coating Thickness Restriction Level

27. PA 2 Nonmandatory Appendix Partial DFT on Misc. Metal Parts
3 spot measurements, randomly distributed on part
Each spot must conform to specified DFT
Specifier determines how many parts to measure and Coating Thickness Restriction Level

28. PA 2 Nonmandatory Appendix Measuring DFT on Edges
Obtain 3 gage readings within 1.5 linear inches of coated edge
Average of 3 readings is a spot measurement
Number of spot measurements required is specified, depending on total length of coated edge

29. SSPC Guide 15, “Extraction and Analysis of Soluble Salts on Steel”
Describes equipment and methods for field extraction of soluble salts from surfaces
Also describes various techniques for analyzing extracted solution
Updated in 2013

30. Expected Revision late 2014
Revision of AASHTO/NSBA/SSPC Guide “Application of Coating Systems with Zinc-Rich Primers to Steel Bridges” (SSPC-PA Guide 13)
Guidance on best industry practice for shop application of zinc rich primers to previously uncoated bridge steel
Includes surface preparation and the mixing, application, and cure of coating

31. PA-Guide 13, “Application of Coating Systems with ZR Primers to Steel Bridges”
Originally issued in 2006, revised and expanded in
Contains a series of charts listing the detailed requirements for surface preparation, environmental conditions, coating application, curing, and verification testing.
New appendices for
Conditions, causes, and remedies for nonconformities on newly fabricated steel structures resulting from surface prep
Conditions, causes, and remedies for nonconformities resulting from activities following surface preparation
Conditions, causes, and remedies for nonconformities to project requirements resulting from coating or primer damage
IOZ Coatings, OZ Coatings, and Intermediate and Finish Coat Nonconformities
Expect publication December 2014

32. Standards in Final Approval Review
SSPC-AB 2 (Recycled Ferrous Metallic Abrasives)
SSPC Guide 6 (Containment)
SSPC-Guide 7 (Disposal)
SSPC-TU 7 (Environmental Monitoring)
SSPC-QP 8, Qualification of Contractors Applying Coatings to Concrete

33. Standards Currently in Development or Periodic Review
Number and Location of Soluble Salt Test Sites on New Steel (new)
Guide to Specifying Dehumidification on Industrial Painting Projects (new)
SSPC-PA 7 (DFT on Concrete)
SSPC-PA 1 (Shop, Field and Maintenance Painting of Steel)
SSPC-Guide 14, Guide for the Repair of Imperfections in Galvanized, Organic,or Inorganic Zinc-Coated Steel Using Organic Zinc-Rich Coatings

34. Standards in Revision/Periodic Review
SSPC-AB 4, Encapsulated Abrasive (Sponge)
SSPC-Paint 20, Zinc Rich Primer Organic and Inorganic
SSPC-Paint 42, Epoxy Primer, Performance-Based
SSPC-SP 13/NACE No. 5, Surface Preparation of Concrete
SSPC Guide 12, Illumination of Industrial Painting Projects

35. SSPC Certifications (for Companies)
QP 1 for Field Coating Contractors (touchup of shop-primed steel for new construction)
QP 3 for Blast and Paint Shops
QP 5 for Coating Inspection Companies

36. SSPC Certifications (for Individuals)
Protective Coating Specialist (Specifier)
Coating Inspectors
Craft Workers (Blasters, Painters)
Coating Applicator Specialist Program (CAS)
Nozzle Blast Operator (C-7)
Spray Painting (C-12)
Other craft-specific training for specialty applications

37. SSPC Training Programs Useful to the Fabricating Industry
BCI – Bridge Coating Inspector (specific to steel bridges)
PCI – Protective Coating Inspector (all steel structures)

38. SSPC Training Programs Useful to the Fabricating Industry
Bridge Maintenance – Conducting Coating Condition Assessments (new – in person)
C-1 Fundamentals of Protective Coatings (e-course or in-person)
Developing an Effective Coating Specification (in-person)

39. Questions and Comments Welcome
General Information/Questions:
Bill Shoup
SSPC Executive Director 1/ ext. 2230
Questions/Info on SSPC Standards:
Aimée Beggs Standards Development Specialist
x 2223
Questions/Info on SSPC Training Jennifer Merck Training and Technical Program Specialist x 2221
THANK YOU!!