sion Date of

Extent of Revision Revised by: Approved by:

Number Revision
1. Purpose
This procedure details the general method for internal surface preparation and coating of
tanks with solvent free epoxy.

2. Scope
The scope of this method statement applies to internal surface preparation and coating
with solvent free epoxy and repairs of internal coating of tanks in compliance with project
specifications and applicable standards.

3. Applicable specifications, codes and references

EN ISO 8502-6 Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related
products – tests for assessment of surface cleanliness-part 6:
extraction of soluble contaminants for analysis – British method

NACE RP 0287 Field measurement of surface profile of abrasive blast cleaned steel
surface using a replica tape

EN ISO 8504-2 Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and

related products

ASTM D4417 Standard test methods for field measurement of surface profile of
blast cleaned steel

SSPC V1S 1 Guide and reference photographs for steel surface prepared by dry
abrasive blast cleaning

ASTM D4541 Standard test method for pull-off strength of using portable adhesion
– Testers

ASDTM 1763 Specification of epoxy resins

ASTM D 2370-98 Standard test method for tensile properties of organic coatings

ASTM D4414 Practice of measurement of wet film thickness of organic coatings by

notched gages

EN ISO 4624 Paints and varnishes – pull off test for adhesion

EN ISO 8501-3 Preparation grades of welds, edges and other areas with surface

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 imperfections

EN ISO 8502-3 Assessment of dust on steel surface prepared for painting

EN ISO 8502-9 Field method for the conduct metric determination of soluble salts

EN ISO 8503-2 Method of grading surface profile of abrasive blast cleaning steel –
comparator method

EN ISO 12944-7 Execution and supervision of paint works

EN ISO 17025 General requirements for competence of testing and calibration

laboratories

NACE RP 0188 Discontinuity (Holiday) testing of new protective coating on

conductive substrates

SSPC-SP-10 Steel structure painting council surface preparation specifications –

near white metal blast cleaning

SSPC-PA2 Steel structure painting council- Measurement of dry paint with

magnetic thickness gauge

SSPC V1S 3 Guide and reference photographs for steel surface prepared by hand
and power tool cleaning

1 Purpose …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 4
2 Scope …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 4
3 Applicable Specification, Code & References………………………………………………………..………… 4
4 Definitions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
5 Tools / Equipments / Test Instruments / Consumables…………………………………………………… 5
6 Materials ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 7
7 Surface Preparation ………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 8
7.1 Pre Cleaning……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………. 8
7.2 Abrasive Blasting………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
8 Weather conditions………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
9 Application and Applicator ……………………………………………………………………………………….…… 10
10 Inspection & Testing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
10.1 General………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 10
10.2 Environmental Condition……………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 11

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10.3 Material and Equipment Inspection ………………………………………………………………………..…………. 11
10.4 Compressed air and abrasive………………………………………………………………………………….………….. 11
10.5 Surface preparation inspection ………………………………………………………………………………............ 11
10.6 Holyday testing and Adhesion test……………………………………………………………………………………… 12
10.7 Repair of defect……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………. 12
11 Documentation ……………………………………………………………………………..……………………………… 12
11.1 Work records / reports…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………. 12
11.2 Final report…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 12
12 Health, Safety and Environment ………………………………………………………..………………………….. 13
13 Painting system…………………………………………………………….…………………………………………… 14

4. Definitions

NACE - National Association of Corrosion Engineers

BS - British Standard
ASTM - American Society for Testing Materials
ISO - International Organization for Standardization
SSPC - The Society for Protecting Coatings
DFY - Dry Film Thickness
RAM - Request for Approval of Materials

5. Tools/Equipments/ test instruments/consumables

6. Materials
 open flames, electrical discharge and direct sunlight. Air conditioned storage areas shall
be provided where excessive ambient temperature is expected.
 The resin shall be delivered to the site in unopened labeled original containers with batch
numbers and date of manufacture clearly marked thereon and shall be stored in a
controlled environment according to manufacture’s specification.

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  Compressor air shall be free of oil, moisture and other contamination. Tests shall be
conducted by coating supervisor using white cotton cloth to check the discharged air is
dry and free from oil or water/humid contamination before using for blasting or lining
application.
 Manufacturer recommendations for over coating intervals shall be followed.
 Using water proof tarpaulin’s etc shall be taken to ensure that water does not come in
contact with uncured coats.
 Approved applicators or supervisors shall not be changed from the job without prior
information to client.
 All the lining materials intended to the used shall have a proper proven track history for
the 10 years.
 All new products and all lining applicators shall prepare samples as per client
requirement for the product and applicator qualification. The sample shall be subjected
to several tests to the client satisfaction.
 The tank internal for potable water tank shall be coated with solvent free epoxy
customer requirement using proposed paint.
 The materil approval test shall meet all the requirements of the client.

6.1 Abrasive Blasting

All abrasive blasting carried out shall comply with the following

 Abrasive materials shall be subjected to client approval. A blasted sample plate will be
submitted to client for the approval of abrasive. Dust embedment level shall not be
greater than grade 2 of ISO 8502-3-2000.
 Abrasive material shall be garnet (30/60) or steel slag (0.2 – 0.8 mesh). Abrasive
materials shall be kept dry and covered when not in use.
 All abrasive material shall be selected from client approved vendor list and each batch
shall be inspected by client prior to use.
 shall be checked by using Testex PRESS-O-FILM and measurement recorded on painting
report. Surface profile requirements are as per client specification and paint manufacture
data sheet.
 Contamination test shall be checked for the blasted surface. The chloride level shall be
less than 5µg/cm2.
 All blasting pots and compressors shall be fitted with efficient oil and moister traps. The
compressed air supply and volume shall meet the work requirement and shall be free
from oil and water contamination. Only tungsten carbide venture-type nozzles with a

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 maximum 9mm orifice sixe shall be used. Dead man handle shall be fixed as close as
practical to the blast nozzle. Blasting machine equipment shall be earthed.
 All spend abrasive shall be removed from the surface by blowing dry compressed air
brush before priming.
 No abrasive blasting operations shall be carried out in parallel of painting work where in
it will affect the freshly applied coating, which has not dried thoroughly. Adjoining steel
work not required to be coated, shall be suitably masked.
 Coating shall be applied on blasted surface before the rust booming occurs or within 4
hours of blast cleaning, whichever is sooner.
 All surface shall be inspected prior to any coating to be applied. That is after surface
preparation and abrasive blasting.
 All personal entering to the tank after abrasive blasting shall wear rubber soled shoes
with clean, disposable shoe covers, sweatbands and lint free gloves.
 Blast cleaning combined with vacuum collection at the nozzle can be used to reduce
atmospheric contamination within the tank. The air supply shall be tested daily for
cleanliness using a white cloth test.

7. Weather conditions

The coating application shall NOT be carried out under the following conditions:

 Ambient temperature below 10OC

 Humidity is greater than 85%
 Metal surface temperature is less than 3OC above the dew point.
 Metal surface was blasted more than 4 hours. The time can be extended if
dehumidification system is in use.

8. Application and applicator

 The contractor or applicator shall use only experienced and qualified manpower to carry
out the required works.
 Approved applicators or supervisors shall not be changed from the job without prior
information to client.
 Each coat shall be applied uniformly using contrasting colors over the entire surface,
according to accepted good practice. Care shall be exercised to prevent over spray,
spillage or application of coatings to surfaces for which the coating are not intended.
 Prior to application of any coat, all damage to previous coat shall be repaired.
 each coating shall be as per client requirements.

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9. Inspection & Testing

10.1 General

 Inspection and testing shall be carried out at all stages by client.

 All the personal (inspector, supervisor, foreman, blaster and paint ) shall be qualified as
per client requirement.
 Surface preparation and coating application may be subjected to inspection at any
stage by client ensure the compliance with the requirement.
 Client representative have the right to inspect at all times any tools, material or
equipment used in site.
 Coating manufacturer’s representative shall have access to the work site during the
progress on the work, for any inspection and testing deemed to be necessary to ensure
that the lining system are properly applied.

10.2 Environmental Condition

 At the beginning of the day prior to commencement of work ambient temperature,

 Abrasive blasting and coating application equipment shall be inspected to ensure the
compliance

10.4 Compressed air and abrasive

 Cleanliness of compressed air supply shall be verified daily by blasting without abrasive
coating onto a while cloth. If oil or water appears, all traps and separators shall be blow
down until the removal of oil and moisture.
 Recycle of abrasive shall not be carried out for manual blasting.

10.5 Surface Preparation Inspection

 Prior to blasting, the steel surface shall be checked for presence of contaminates. After
blast cleaning surface shall be checked for visual standard and surface profile.

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  Surface profile height shall be 50-100 microns for internal coating as per NACE RP 0287.
 Visual inspection on blasted surface as per ISO 8501-1 SA 2.5
 The chloride test on the blasted surface shall be tested using bresle patch and chloride
test kits as per ISO 8502-6 and ISO 8502-9. DFT measurement as per SSPC-PA2
 Sample plates shall be submitted after completion of lining work for each tank if
requested by the client.
 Surface profile testing shall be accordance with ASTM D 4417 or NACE RP0287.
Measurements shall be recorded and submitted to client.
 Blast cleaned surface shall be checked for chloride content maximum chloride content
shall not be more than 5 micro grams per square centimeter.
 Dust embedded on cleaned surface shall not exceed grade 2 of ISO 8502-3.
 Inspection for surface-cleaning and paint-application activities shall be carried out by QC
in accordance with an approved inspection & test plan (ITP) for painting.
 Inspection reports shall be singed/approved by client representative after completion of
each activity of the painting of the painting job.

10.6 Holiday testing and adhesion test

 Fully coated surface shall be electrically tested for pinholes and holidays using wet
sponge method.
 Holiday testing shall be carried out in presence of client representative. Test shall be
carried out as per NACE RP0188
 Adhesion test on the prepared sample plate during the application of the tank lining
shall be carried out as per ASTM 04541. The same test shall be carried out on a separate
plate after immersing the sample plate in water (60°C) for 24 hours.

10.7 Repair of defect

 The coating shall be visually inspected after each coat.

 It is mandatory
 free inspection shall be recorded and submitted to the client for approval.

11.0 Documentation

All documentation shall comply with the client requirement

 The comprehensive recording and reporting system on all aspects of the lining work
including inspection/testing. The data shall be set out on a coating work record / data
sheet and inspection/testing record within 24 hours of carrying out a specific work.

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11.2 Final Report

 A report shall be submitted on completion of the lining works. The final report shall
include a summery on all aspects covered e.g., surface preparation, lining application
procedure and inspection and testing records performed.

12.0 Health, Safety and Environment

 Safety in blasting and painting operations are paramount. Both operators and
supervisors must be fully conversant with all safety requirements associate with blasting
and cleaning, rope access and access platform as per client safety manual.
 All personal shall undergo project HSE induction and applicable training required for the
pertinent painting or coating applications processes.
 working gloves, safety shoes and mask at all times.
 Smoking or naked flames shall not be allowed on work site.
 Paint manufacturer’s safety recommendations for storage and instruction provided in
the material safety data sheets shall be observed and codes available at site.
 All equipment on site shall be checked and inspected prior to use.
 All compressor connection shall be checked periodically.
 Only standard hose fittings shall be used.
 Confined spaces shall be supplied with adequate ventilation, both fresh air supply and
contaminated air extraction, for the elimination of vapors, mists and air-borne particles,
such that the concentration of flammable vapors in the air is maintained below their
threshold limit value (TLV)
 All equipment and accessories utilized for the painting/coating application processes,
including pipe handling and cleaning processes shall be in safe condition and certified by
the client
 All chemicals including paints, coating materials, solvents, thinners shall be approved by
client prior to their use.
 All debris, spilled paint/solvent, used or unwanted paint/solvent, used up cans/drums
and abrasive shall be collected and disposed of in accordance with client’s procedures.
 No painting / coating work shall be carried – out without due authorized under
appropriate work permit and must carried out in a safe manner with full compliance to
any applicable client procedures.

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 Job safety analysis (JSA) for the work to be carried out shall be prepared by the permit
applicant and Submitted to the permit issuer for review and approval prior to starting
work the JSA shall address all relevant HSE requirements specified by the manufacturer
and applicable client’s procedures
 Gas test should be carried out in accordance with client’s procedure. For “Gas testing”
before and after painting works to ensure that area is not in flammable range.
 All spraying equipment shall be earthed, all high lines checked daily, operators shall
wear all approved safety equipment at all times when spraying operators are progress,
and warning signs erected when blasting work is in progress.
 Provide specific stores for paint, coatings and their associate solvents and it should be

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