SSPC-Paint 15

May 1, 1999
Editorial Changes March 1, 2004

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

PAINT SPECIFICATION NO. 15

Steel Joist Shop Primer/Metal Building Primer
3.2 If there is a conict between the requirements of any
of the cited referenced standards and this specication, the
requirements of this specication shall prevail.

1. Scope
1.1 This specication covers a one coat shop-applied
primer for open web and long span steel joist and joist girders
and for cold formed steel framing, and primary and secondary
structural framing for metal buildings. This coating is intended
to provide temporary protection to the steel joist during delivery,
storage on site, and erection in an atmosphere comparable
with SSPC Environmental Zone 1, normally dry. This coating
is intended to be used as a holding primer that may or may not
be removed before or after erection or assembly in the eld.

3.3 SSPC STANDARDS AND JOINT STANDARDS:

Guide 13

PA 2
SP 1
SP 2
SP 6/NACE No. 3
VIS 1

1.2 The specication does not address the formulation

of the coating but covers the physical and performance characteristics of the coating.

2. Description
VIS 2
2.1 COMPOSITION:
2.1.1 Wide latitude is given for the composition of the
coating. The formulation will be agreed upon between the
contracting parties, so that the coating is compatible with the
owners facility and processes, while meeting or exceeding
the performance requirements of this specication.

3.4

ASTM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:

A 36
B 117

Specication for Carbon Structural Steel

Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog)
Apparatus
Test Method for Consistency of Paints
Measuring Krebs Units (KU) Using a
Stormer-type Viscometer
Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints
Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity
Cup
Test Method for Effect of Household
Chemicals on Clear and Pigmented Organic
Finishes
Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings,
Inks, and Related Products
Test Method for Evaluation of Painted or
Coated Specimens Subjected to Corrosive
Environments
Test for Freeze-Thaw Resistance of WaterBorne Coatings
Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by
Tape Test
Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil
Test

2.1.2 This specication will cover all generic classes of

coatings.

D 562

2.2 VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC)

REQUIREMENTS:

D 714

2.2.1 The VOC content of a merchantable coating meeting the compositional and performance requirements of this
specication can vary from less than 60 g/L to over 420 g/L.

D 1200
D 1308

2.2.2 The specier should consult applicable government

regulations to determine the maximum allowable VOC content
and the proper VOC test method for their application. As a
part of the purchase documents, the specier should state the
required VOC limit, test method, and governing regulations.
(See Note 11.1.)

D 1475
D 1654

D 2243

3. Referenced Standards

D 3359

3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the referenced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall
govern, unless otherwise specied. Standards marked with
an asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes, which are not
requirements of this specication.

D 3363

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Guide for the Identication and

Use of Industrial Coating Materials
in Computerized Product Databases
Measurement of Dry Coating
Thickness with Magnetic Gauges
Solvent Cleaning
Hand Tool Cleaning
Commercial Blast Cleaning
Guide and Reference Photographs
for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry
Abrasive Blast Cleaning
Standard Method of Evaluating
Degree of Rusting on Painted
Steel Surfaces

SSPC-Paint 15
May 1, 1999
Editorial Changes March 1, 2004
D 3924

D 3925
* D 3960

D 4062
D 4585
D 5894

5.2 CONDITION IN CONTAINER: Each component as

received shall show no evidence of livering, skinning, or hard
settling of the pigment. The inside of the container shall not be
corroded. Multi-component material shall be easily dispersed
in the liquid portion by hand stirring to form a smooth, homogeneous primer.

Specication for Standard Environment for

Conditioning and Testing Paint, Varnish,
Lacquer, and Related Materials
Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and
Related Pigmented Coatings
Practice for Determining Volatile Organic
Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and
Related Coatings
Test Method for Leveling of Paints by DrawDown Method
Practice for Testing Water Resistance of
Coatings Using Controlled Condensation
Practice for Cyclic Fog/UV Exposure of
Painted Metal, (Alternating Exposures in
a Fog/Dry Cabinet and UV/Condensation
Cabinet)

5.3 COLOR: There is no color requirement; however,

color will be agreed upon between the contracting parties or
be the color of the sample submitted under Section 9.2.
5.4 VISCOSITY: The viscosity of the stirred primer shall
be determined in accordance with ASTM D 562. Variance of
viscosity measured in KU shall be within 12 percent of the
viscosity of the previously qualied coating and the value
published by the manufacturer (e.g., technical data sheet or
container label).
For viscosities lower than 55 KU, a number 4 Ford Cup
shall be used in accordance with ASTM D 1200. Variations
shall be within ve seconds of the previously qualied coating.
The contracting parties may agree to different variances.

3.5 BAY AREAAIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

(BAAQMD)
* METHOD 41 Determination of Volatile Organic
Compounds in Solvent Based Coatings and
Related Materials Containing Parachlorobenzotriuoride

5.5 DENSITY: Density of the mixed primer shall be

determined in accordance with ASTM D 1475. Variance shall
be within 48 g/L (0.4 lb/gal) of the sample submitted under
Section 9.2.

4. Standard Testing Conditions

5.6 FREEZE-THAW RESISTANCE (WATER-BORNE

COATINGS ONLY): The liquid (water base) coating shall be
tested in accordance with ASTM D 2243. At the end of three
cycles there shall be no gelling or excessive thickening, coagulation, lumps, or coarse particles. The maximum increase
or decrease in viscosity shall not exceed 10 Krebs units.

4.1 When testing the paint and its application, the conditions under which it is applied and cured shall conform to ASTM
D 3924.
4.2 The hot rolled steel test panels shall conform to ASTM
A 36 or equivalent. Prior to preparing the surface, the amount
of rust and mill scale on the surface shall conform to Condition A or Condition B as described in SSPC-VIS 1. Panel size
shall be 100 mm x 150 mm x 4.8 mm (4 in x 6 in x 3/16 in) or
greater.

6. Performance Testing Requirements

6.1 RUST AND BLISTER RESISTANCE:

4.3 Surface preparation shall consist of SSPC-SP 1 and

SSPC-SP 2.

6.1.1 Test Panel Preparation: Apply one coat of the steel

joist shop primer to the front of nine steel panels in accordance
with the standard testing conditions specied in Section 4.
Coat and seal all edges and the back side of each panel with
a coating or masking that will provide the necessary protection
to these surfaces.
Scribe a 5 cm (2 inch) vertical line through the lower middle
portion of the primed panels so as to expose the underlying
metal before testing. The conditions of making the scribe are
described in ASTM D 1654.

4.4 The dry lm thickness of the primer shall be as recommended by the manufacturer. If no recommendation is given,
the dry lm thickness shall be a minimum of 20 micrometers
(0.8 mils) unless indicated otherwise. Measure dry lm thickness in accordance with SSPC-PA 2.
4.5 All coated panels to be tested will be allowed to cure
for a minimum of seven days under ambient laboratory conditions before physical testing is to begin.

6.1.2 Salt Spray: Three replicate panels shall be exposed

in a salt spray conducted in accordance with ASTM B 117. The
duration of the test shall be 96 hours. The rust rating of each
replicate panel shall be 8 or higher according to SSPC-VIS 2
(see Note 11.2). The blister rating of each panel shall be no
worse than No. 4 "Few," No. 6 "Medium," or No. 8 "Medium
Dense" using ASTM D 714 (see Note 11.3). The maximum
undercutting or rusting measured from the center of the scribe

5. Physical Properties
5.1 TEST INFORMATION: The paint manufacturer shall
measure and record batch testing information that will allow
certication that a batch meets the necessary standards
established by the manufacturer for the primer as tested per
Section 5.

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SSPC-Paint 15
May 1, 1999
Editorial Changes March 1, 2004
of each replicate panel shall not exceed 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) at
any point along the scribe (see Note. 11.4).

and 4.4. Allow to dry for 24 hours. The coatings shall show no
signs of ash rusting or bleeding.

6.1.3 Cyclic Salt Fog/UV Exposure: Three replicate

panels shall be exposed in a cyclic corrosion test conducted in
accordance with ASTM D 5894. The duration of the test shall
be 336 hours that represent one week of UV/condensation
followed by one week of cyclic salt fog. The rust rating of each
replicate panel shall be 8 or higher according to SSPC-VIS 2.
(see Note 11.2). The blister rating of each panel shall be no
worse than No. 4 Few, No. 6 Medium, or No. 8 Medium
Dense using ASTM D 714 (see Note 11.3). The maximum
undercutting or rusting measured from the center of the scribe
of each replicate panel shall not exceed 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) at
any point along the scribe.

7. Application
7.1 Coatings can be formulated for dip, ow coat, vacuum
coat, airless, air atomized, brushed, or rolled application.

8. Labeling
8.1 Labeling shall conform to ANSI Z129.1.
8.2 Technical data shall be provided for at least all data
elements characterized as essential in SSPC-Guide 13.

9. Inspection
6.1.4 Condensation: Three replicate panels shall be
exposed in a condensing cabinet according to ASTM D 4585,
continuous condensation at 38C (100F) for a duration of 96
hours. The rust rating of each replicate panel shall be 8 or
higher according to SSPC-VIS 2. (see Note 11.2). The blister
rating of each panel shall be no worse than No. 6 Few or No.
8 Medium using ASTM D 714. (see Note 11.3). The maximum
undercutting or rusting measured from the center of the scribe
of each replicate panel shall not exceed 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) at
any point along the scribe.

9.1 All materials (coatings) supplied under this specication are subject to timely inspection by the purchaser or
his authorized representative. The purchaser shall have the
right to reject any materials supplied which are found to be
defective under this specication (see Note 11.6). In case of
dispute, unless otherwise specied, the arbitration or settlement procedure established in the procurement documents
shall be followed. If no arbitration procedure is established,
then a procedure mutually acceptable to the purchaser and
material supplier shall be used.

6.2 ADHESION: Apply one coat of the steel joist shop primer
to the front of a steel panel in accordance with the standard
testing conditions specied in Sections 4.1 through 4.4. After
seven days, apply a second coat under similar conditions.
Allow the second coat to cure for a minimum of seven days
under ambient laboratory conditions before physical testing
is to begin. Evaluate adhesion to the base metal as well as
between coats using ASTM D 3359, Method B Cross-Cut
Tape Test, spacing the cuts 1 mm apart. A minimum rating of
4B is required (see Note 11.5).

9.2 Samples of paints may be requested by the purchaser

and shall be supplied upon request along with the manufacturers name and identication for the materials. Samples may
be requested at the time the purchase order is placed or may
be taken from unopened containers at the job site.
9.3 Unless otherwise specied, the sampling shall be in
accordance with ASTM D 3925.

10. Disclaimer
6.3 WATER SENSITIVITY: Apply one coat of the steel
joist shop primer by the drawdown method (ASTM D 4062)
to a 100 mm x 200 mm (4 x 8 in) cold-rolled steel panel in
accordance with Sections 4.1 and 4.4. Allow to dry at 21 to
25C (70 to 77F) and 50% 5% relative humidity. After 24
hours drying time, subject the coating to a water spot test for
four hours in accordance with ASTM D 1308, using the open
spot test and 2 to 3 ml of potable water. No blistering shall
occur. The lm may soften, but lm integrity shall return after a
24 hour recovery period. Film integrity is dened as losing no
more than one pencil hardness unit (ASTM D 3363) compared
to the unexposed lm.

10.1 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all

information furnished in SSPC standards and specications is
as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot
assume responsibility nor incur any obligation resulting from
the use of any materials, coatings, or methods specied herein,
or of the specication or standard itself.
10.2 This specication does not attempt to address problems concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this
specication, as well as the user of all products or practices
described herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate
health and safety practices and for ensuring compliance with
all governmental regulations.

6.4 FLASH RUST RESISTANCE TEST (WATERBORNE

COATINGS ONLY): Coat a hot rolled steel panel blast cleaned
to SSPC-SP 6 or better in accordance with Sections 4.1, 4.2,

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SSPC-Paint 15
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a higher number (smaller size) blister is considered better that
a lower number blister of the same frequency. Similarly, for a
given size, fewer blisters are better.

11. Notes
Notes are not requirements of this specication.

11.4 The salt fog test, ASTM B 117, has been widely
discredited as a method for evaluating paints. There have
been many comparative paint studies using widely different
formulations which showed no correlation and even negative
correlation between salt fog results and atmospheric exposure
results. There is a signicant risk that a good coating can be
rejected based on salt fog performance. Cyclic salt fog/UV
exposure, ASTM D 5894, has been shown to have much better
correlation with atmospheric exposures.

11.1 ASTM D 3960 is a commonly used method to determine VOC, but this method may not be acceptable to all
jurisdictions. The method of determining VOC content described
in ASTM D 3960 does not address analysis of VOC exempt
solvents such as PCBTF (parachlorobenzotriouride). Methods
published by government agencies include Bay Area Air Quality
Management District (BAAQMD) Method 41 and California Air
Resources Board (CARB) Method 310.
11.2 A rust grade rating of 8 or better implies that no more
than 0.1% of the surface area shall be rusted.

11.5 The adhesion test described in Section 6.2 is to

prevent coating manufacturers from adding wax or other additives that would severely limit the adhesion of a subsequent
coating layer.

11.3 According to ASTM D 714, ratings that would be

considered better than No. 4 Few, No. 6 Medium, and No.
8 Medium Dense would include No. 6 Few, No. 8 Medium,
No. 8 Few, and No. 10 (no blisters). Interpolated ratings
not pictured in ASTM D 714 that would be considered better
than No. 4 Few, No. 6 Medium, and No. 8 Medium Dense
would include No. 5 Few, No. 7 Medium, No. 7 Few, No. 9
Medium Dense, No. 9 Medium, and No. 9 Few. In general,

11.6 The procurement documents should establish the

responsibility for samples, testing, documentation of performance tests and results and any required afdavit certifying
full compliance with the specication.

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