Petrochemical plants and refineries are complex structures; so undertaking coating surveys can require astute planning, careful organisation and a team of specialists. Coating specifications in the petrochemical and refinery industry tend to cover the new build of the structure and ongoing maintenance. However, consideration must be given to checking the condition of coatings on pipes, racks, internals and externals... Read More

Close familiarity with international standards and test methods used in the protective coatings industry is a prerequisite for coating surveyors. Standards and test methods are relevant to assessing the condition of protective coatings and should be an integral part of the survey process, referenced and cited in the final report. They also provide the framework for a consistent method... Read More

Measuring the thickness of a coating is important in the paint and corrosion protection industry, so surveyors should possess a good knowledge of the appropriate standards. Inspections during and after the paint application process have become the norm to preserve the life expectancy of bridges, marine vessels, pipelines and water tanks among a wide variety of structures.... Read More

Carrying out protective coating surveys for bridges requires specialist knowledge, good preparation and a flexible approach. Bridge types, which include beam, box girder, truss, arch, cable stayed and suspension designs, are continuously exposed to the elements and therefore, may have to be treated with tough and long lasting protective coatings. However, any coating needs to be assessed... Read More

Completing protective coating surveys on offshore platforms requires careful planning, close co-operation with operators and a co-ordinated approach. A coating survey is required to investigate the condition of a coating on an offshore platform. They can also be required to develop a maintenance painting specification, ensure compliance with guarantees and evaluate coating performance as an aid to specifications... Read More

Offshore oil and gas exploration and production platforms, which must operate in some of the harshest environments found on earth, are protected by high-performance coatings that must be routinely surveyed to check that they are performing effectively. The oil and gas industry has adopted various materials to construct its offshore structures. These include carbon steel,... Read More