february 2011
So what are the benefits of simply specifying ‘a Qualicoat approved supplier’ for all architectural coatings on a construction project?
The Qualicoat label is independent of any one country or government, instead the standard is compiled, written and regulated by members of the association. Members have a vested interest in ensuring that the highest standards of powder coating can be achieved in the most cost effective and consistent manner.
Choice of finish is not reduced as many of the powder manufacturers and pre-treatment suppliers are members of Qualicoat and offer Qualicoat approved materials and systems - the same full range of colours and surface finishes are also available.
Over half of the powder coating applicators in the UK and Ireland are members of Qualicoat UK & Ireland. Even though Qualicoat is a quality label that approves the powder, the pre-treatment chemicals and the process of powder coating, these systems are not sold at a premium. The Qualicoat process ensures consistency, this in turn achieves efficiencies which keeps costs down, particularly reducing the need for reworking. No one quality label does this except Qualicoat and, most importantly, specifying Qualicoat addresses the British standard as well as the European Norm.
By specifying the British Standard, a minimum standard is set and then needs to be tested to be in compliance, Qualicoat differs in the fact that members are independently tested as part of the ongoing quality label. The company responsible for this independent testing in the UK is Exova, a highly respected British based testing house. Qualicoat UK & Ireland members are independently inspected at least twice per year, without warning, and may loose their Qualicoat approved status if they fail on any part of the routine testing. To achieve the same result by specifying the ‘British Standard’ and ‘European Norm’ 12206-1:2004, an independent consultant will need to be employed to have the finish independently tested.
Members of Qualicoat UK & Ireland are recognised as supplying the best quality architectural powder coating available, in recognition of this members will use the Qualicoat logo on all their marketing communication. The simple long term benefit for the specifier, is that the architectural powder coating failure rate can be dramatically reduced when powder coating is applied to the Qualicoat label.
Regular Qualicoat UK & Ireland member meetings offer feedback on emerging new standards and feedback on the work of Qualicoat technical groups who meet to further the Qualicoat standard.
Just add 'Architectural powder coating supplied by a Qualicoat approved applicator' on your specification. Doing so ensures that the powder coater is registered with Qualicoat UK & Ireland and uses Qualicoat approved powders and pre-treatment systems. By not having any date or references to the label ensures that the specifier can be guaranteed that the coating, whenever undertaken, is always applied to the most up to date Qualicoat specification.
Recent updates to the Qualicoat process now offer higher durability finishes which are now available for specific uses such as ‘seaside class’ where salts can be problematic and pre-finishing techniques are adjusted in order to eliminate possible substrate corrosion. Premium powders for coating are also available and are known as ‘Class 2’ and Class 3’ powders, these further add to the durability of the finish by extending the life expectancy for many years, for further information ask a local Qualicoat approved applicator or contact the Qualicoat UK & Ireland head office in Birmingham.
Current news and information on architectural powder coating is frequently updated on the UK website at www.qualicoatuki.org. The European website offers the complete specification which can be found at www.qualicoat.net. Printed literature and telephone support is available from Qualicoat UK and Ireland Head Office in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.