Steel Solutions Center
10.5. Field Touch-up and Repair
10.5.1. How should contract documents address the problem of job-site mill-scale flaking?
When SSPC-SP2 (hand tool cleaning) or SSPC-SP3 (power tool cleaning) surface preparation is specified and a short-exposure-life prime coat is subsequently applied, tight mill scale generally remains on the surface prior to shop painting. Likewise, tight mill scale may remain with SSPC-SP7 (brush-off blast cleaning) surface preparation. Depending upon the time of exposure, job-site conditions, and type of prime coast, some of this tight mill scale may loosen, resulting in mill-scale flaking. When required, provision should be made in the contract documents for an appropriate field touch-up and repair program. Traditionally, this work has been delegated to the painting contractor.
last modified 18 September 2002
10.5.2. Is the fabricator/erector responsible to clean steel after it has been erected?
No. Shop-painted steel that is stored in the field pending erection should be kept free of the ground and so positioned as to minimize water-holding pockets, dust, mud, and other contamination of the paint film. However, because site conditions are frequently muddy, sandy, dusty, or a combination of all three, it may be impossible to store and handle the steel in such a way as to completely avoid accumulation of mud, dirt, or sand on the surface of the steel. When required, provision should be made in the contract documents for an appropriate cleaning program.
last modified 18 September 2002
10.5.3. Is the fabricator/erector responsible for field touch-up to the repair of blemishes and abrasions that result during handling and storage after painting?
No. During storage, loading, transport, unloading, and erection, blemishes and abrasions caused by slings, chains, blocking, tie-downs, etc. occur in varying degrees and should be expected. Responsibility for field touch-up should be assigned in the contract documents. Traditionally, this work has been delegated to the painting contractor.
last modified 18 September 2002