High quality painting of piping and equipments as well as structures, is essential to avoid corrosion. It helps ensure long life of a constructed plant and low maintenance costs. Painting involves not only total surface cover but also markings of various types such as line numbers, fluid codes, flow arrows, equipment numbers etc.
Painting specification for the project is given by PMC or Client in FEED or BEP. It is updated by material engineer on the project. Engineering firm can use its own standard painting specification if allowed by client.
Preparation of painting specification involves understanding environmental factors, location of piping (indoor or outdoor), insulation requirements, operating and design temperatures. It may also involve local rules and regulations as well as availability of materials.
Applicability of Standards
Painting Specification is prepared by Material Engineer to assure high quality painting work on the project as per international standards. Various international codes and standards should be followed for painting.
Painting Workflow
- Ensure all tests are performed on piping system before starting painting work.
- Clean painting surface to remove oils, grease, dirt.
- Ensure proper room temperature and humidity levels.
- Use hand tools, machine tools, shot blasters etc to clean surface as per relevant standards and project requirements.
- Apply primer within 4 hours of surface preparation.
- Apply paint coats after previous coats have dried up, as per instructions of paint manufacturer.
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| Environmenta humidity affects quality of cleaning and painting on metal surfaces. Any water on metal …Read More.. | ||
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| Power tool cleaning shall be done by mechanical striking tools, chipping hammers, grinding wheels or rotating …Read More.. | ||
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| Advantages Of Blast Cleaning It has been indicated by The British Iron & Steel Research Association …Read More.. | ||
Components Requiring Painting
- Un-insulated carbon steel pipes, fittings, valves, special items etc. require painting.
- Carbon steel ducts, furnaces and stacks require painting.
- All un-insulated equipments like columns, vessels, drums, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, electrical panels, motors etc. require painting.
- All structural componets like steel members, platforms, ladders,handrails etc. required painting.
Insulated Lines and Equipments
Painting of markings over insulation cladding is required on all piping for identification of lines. In some cases, painting under insulation also required for carbon steel piping.
Plastic Piping
Plastic or plastic coated components do not required to be painted. Various markings may be done on plastic piping for identification purpose.
Stainless Steel Piping
Stainless steel piping is not painted. Identification marking may be done on this piping.
Paint Quantity Estimation
Quantity of paint required to achieve particular Dry Film Thickness (DFT) is based on various factors.
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| Explanation Required paint quantity for painting of a pipe depends on following factors : Pipe Diameter. Length …Read More.. | ||
Surface Preparation
Piping and equipment components get rusted as time passes by. There are rust grades defined by Swedish Corrosion Institute. Rust must be removed before painting work can begin.
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| There are various rust grades defined in by Swedish Corrosion Institute. They are as follows …Read More.. | ||
In order to achieve the maximum durability, one or more of following methods of surface preparation shall be followed, depending on condition of steel surface and as instructed by Client Site Representative.
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| In order to achieve the maximum durability, one or more of following methods of surface preparation …Read More.. | ||
Types of Painting Methods
- Painting by Brush.
- Painting using Air Spray Painting Machine.
- Painting using Airless Spray Painting Machine.
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| Spray painting is the best method of painting on larger surfaces and gives even film …Read More.. | ||
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| Airless spray application shall be in accordance with the following procedure: as per steel structure paint Manual …Read More.. | ||
Surfaces that should not be painted.
Non-ferrous materials like Aluminium are not required to be painted. Also other surfaces like Valve Stems etc. Checkout this complete list of surfaces that should not be painted.
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| Not very surface shall be painted in a process plant. Painting of some surfaces can …Read More.. | ||
Characteristics of Piping Paint Material.
Paint material used for painting pipes and equipments must adhere to certain requirements as per project specification .Check out these typical requirements for various types of primers and paints.
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| Paint manufacturers shall furnish the characteristics of all paints materials on printed literature, along with the …Read More.. | ||
Typical Piping Painting Systems
Check out these combinations of typical piping painting systems which comprise of surface preparation, primer coats and top coats.
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| Field Paint System for structural, utility, piping, Equipment, Hydrocarbon Pumps, Hydrocarbon lines (For Temperature less than …Read More.. | ||
Humidity Requirements During Painting
Proper weather conditions surrounding the place of painting work is essential w.r.t. humidity levels and room temperature. Check out these humidity and temperature requirements.
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| Environmenta humidity affects quality of cleaning and painting on metal surfaces. Any water on metal …Read More.. | ||
Qualification Criteria for Painting Contractor.
Painting contractor needs to posses these qualifications for good quality of painting work in time.
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| Painting contractor who is awarded the job must have necessary equipments, machinery, tools and tackles for …Read More.. | ||
Inspection and Testing Procedure.
Sound inspection and testing procedure must be in place to ensure good quality of painting work. Check out this article for complete information on inspection and testing procedure.
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| Painting contractor shall ensure following things for high quality execution of painting work for piping …Read More.. | ||
Documentation
Proper documentation regarding painting process must be maintained by the contractor and submitted to the client. Checkout this article for details about painting documentation.
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| To ensure high quality of painting and paint job guaranty as well as to ensure …Read More.. | ||
HSE
Field safety and hygiene must be maintained at all times during painting work. Checkout this article regarding Health and Hygiene during painting work.
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| Industrial hygiene and safe working practice in connection with the painting work shall be strictly followed …Read More.. | ||
Paint Manufacturers.
Indian Standards for Piping Painting Codes
- IS-2379 Color Codes for Medical Gases
- IS-2379 Color Codes for Hydrocarbons and Naptha
- IS-2379 Color Codes for Industrial Gases
- IS-2379 Color Codes for General Services
- IS-5 Color Shades
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