DEMM Engineering & Manufacturing
Good business
WITH THE construction industry and building standards changing rapidly not only locally, but globally, compliance should now be at the top of any contractors list. Why? Imagine getting to the end of an already costly, time-consuming project, only to find out that the project is non-compliant and will incur major remediation costs to bring it up to the required standard. Imagine having an existing building shut down because there has been a lack of maintenance which has led to non-compliance.
Let's start with what makes a project non-compliant. Passive Fire elements are now specified when a building is designed as a requirement of the building code. One critical element of Passive Fire is Intumescent. So, for instance, in the case of an intumescent coating, if the film builds are not correct the structure will not be protected to the required level and so not receive building compliance and therefore, cannot be occupied. From a corrosion point of view, if coatings are not applied correctly, the building life may be greatly diminished requiring expensive early maintenance and in a worst-case scenario, the structure would be susceptible to early collapse. That is why we believe all asset contractors and owners should concern themselves with coatings compliance.
Engaging a compliance consultant doesn't have to be scary. Compliance needs a collaborative approach, especially when an inspection is being carried out – clients should be looking for real world, cost-effective solutions when it comes to corrosion management, but not feel like they are being policed. All protective coatings should be applied according to a set of agreed standards. This means everybody has a clear understanding of what to expect from the coating in terms of durability. It also guides the applicator in how to apply the coatings and at what thicknesses.
There is also a set of standards that inspectors follow when it comes to measuring the thickness of protective coatings. As coatings are generally applied by people, it is expected that there will be some variation in the application. These standards set the limits of what is allowable. Before any project begins it is very important that all parties are aware of the standards that will be applied to the project. Generally, a consultant (note – they are also
referred to as inspectors) will observe, test using agreed standards, verify conformance to a specification and then report their findings back to a client. This can be done at any time during a coatings job, but for the best results and the most complete and comprehensive report, a consultant's involvement from the very beginning of a job is most advantageous. Why? They can advise on specification suitability and assist in setting appropriate hold points for the project to ensure a successful, cost-effective outcome.
Consultants may also be engaged to complete Coatings Surveys. As a client, you would have a Coatings Survey undertaken to gather information on the current state of any coatings system. This would then assist you in planning preventative maintenance and the ongoing corrosion protection of your asset. In terms of larger sites, a Coatings Survey can be used to guide and prioritise any work to maximise budgetary effectiveness and establish any building compliance that may be required. The primary focus of an inspector is to ensure quality as defined by jobs the relevant standards and specifications. For a Compliance Consultant, this may include but not be limited to the following:
• Working as part of an effective team.
• Substrate preparation.
• Being familiar with specifications and relevant standards.
• Being familiar with products and their manufacturer's data sheets.
• The effective use of a variety of different testing equipment and methods.
• Product Material Safety Data Sheets.
• The scope of the works being undertaken.
• Any special terms or conditions related to the job that may be applicable.
All of this benefits the asset owner with improved quality, improved relations by preventing any mismatch in expectations between stakeholders and ensuring a compliant outcome. All this should be delivered by a person who has the relevant experience, the appropriate qualifications and the right personal attributes. In short, a consultant is an extra set of experienced, trained eyes on the job to make sure the coatings meet requirements.