The IMO PSPC Regulation

The Perfomance Standard for Protective Coatings Resolutions MSC.215(82) and MSC.215(84) provides technical requirements for protective coatings in all ballast tanks of all new ships of greater than 500 gross tonnage, and double-side skin spaces arranged in bulk carriers of 150m (492 ft) in length and upward came into full effect from 1st July 2008.

'New' is defined as:

	all building contracts placed on or after 1st July 2008; or
	if no contract, keel laid on or after 1st January 2009; or
	any vessel delivered on or after 1st July 2012

Although the PSPC highlights Ballast Tank Coatings, the standard also covers all Permanent Means of Access (PMA) when integral with the structural elements. The PSPC is also recommended for other portions of the PMA including independent platforms, ladders and guard rails.

The aim of the IMO PSPC is to ensure a minimum of useful coating life of 15 years for ballast tanks, as the quality of the coating condition has an influence on the level of corrosion and consequently can minimise the loss of life.

The IMO PSPC defines coating practices and:

	highlights specifically primary & secondary surface preparation
	a minimum dry film thickness (DFT)
	predefines the DFT measurement requirements
	ensures that accurate record keeping is maintained
	a Coating Technical File (CTF) is produced.

In addition the PSPC requires an inspection agreement between the owner, shipbuilder and coating manufacturer, recorded and documented as part of the CTF, containing:

	the coatings and coating systems to be used, together with Type Approval Certificates
	areas to be coated
	the appointment of a Qualified Inspector
	the surface preparation, coating process, inspection and repair procedures to be used

The Coating Technical File must then be submitted for review by Class.

A general summary of the inspection requirements within the PSPC Coating Technical File for approval by Class

Yard to apply and record the Primary Surface Preparation (checked by the qualified inspectors)

	initial cleaning to Sa 2.5
	surface profile to be 30 - 75 microns or in accordance with specification
	soluble salts <50mg/m2

Yard to apply and record the Shop Primer (checked by the qualified inspectors)

	visible dust and surface cleanliness
	dry film thickness

Yard to apply and record the Secondary Surface Preparation prior to any subsequent application of a coating system at both the block stage and the erection stage (checked by the qualified inspectors)

	edge cuts and preparation of profiles (2mm min radius)
	surface defects including welds, damaged primer, levels of corrosion
	oil, grease, dust, burn through etc.
	relative humidity and surface & dewpoint temperature
	soluble salts - using the bresle method (or equivalent)
	wet film thickness
	dry film thickness for epoxy coatings minimum of 320 microns with 90/10 rule
	walk on and cure times to be observed

Coating Inspectors must:

	be qualified to NACE level 2, FROSIO level 3 or equivalent
	report all inspections, defects and rework requirements and include all information in the CTF
	measure dust quantity - to ISO 8502-09:1998
	dry film thickness (DFT) for epoxy coatings minimum of 320 microns with 90/10 rule
	record DFT readings, together with their location.

Each step of the coating process must be documented and collated for submission within the CTF.

ElcoShip

• minimises report writing
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ElcoShip provides traceable real time information on the status of all coating inspections throughout the ship build – automatically generating the IMO PSPC compliant Coating Technical File at the click of a button.

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