Advanced Standards and Resources 9-1

Chapter 9: Advanced Standards and

Resources
Objectives
When this module is complete, you will have knowledge and understanding of:
• How to properly interpret and use a standard
• NACE International standards

9.1 Introduction
According to Standards Engineering Society (SES), a standard is a document that applies
collectively to codes, specifications, recommended practices, classifications, test methods,
and guides, which have been prepared by a standards developing organization or group, and
published in accordance with established procedures.
A standard is an established norm or requirement that is put together by industry profes-
sionals. It is usually a formal document that establishes uniform engineering or technical
criteria, methods, processes and practices. Standards are meant to get industry personnel on
the same level in an attempt to minimize confusion, particularly with reference to the way
industry professionals do business. It enables different parties and entities to realize mutual
gains, but only by making mutually consistent decisions.
Standards are not considered binding or mandatory unless they are specified or referenced
in the contractual documents. In other words, inspectors with extensive knowledge and
experience with a particular standard cannot force a contractor to operate under the
requirements of any particular standard unless it is a contract requirement. It is always a
coating inspector’s responsibility to obtain and thoroughly understand each standard
referred in the specification. Modifications to a given standard may only be made by an
agreement between the owner, contractor, and inspector. Address and resolve any questions
about a referenced standard in the pre-job conference. Because there are various organiza-
tions that write standards, each classifies them into differing sub-groups. Understand the
intent of a standard and seek clarification if needed before enforcing it. Below are some gen-
eral types and descriptions of standards:
Voluntary standards are generally established by private-sector bodies and are available for
use by any person or organization, private or government. The term includes what are com-
monly referred to as “industry standards” as well as “consensus standards.” A voluntary stan-
dard may become mandatory as a result of its use, reference, or adoption by a regulatory
authority, or when invoked in contracts, purchase orders, or other commercial instruments.1
Consensus standards are developed through the cooperation of all parties who have an
interest in participating in the development and/or use of the standards. Consensus requires
that all views and objections be considered, and that an effort be made toward their resolu-
tion. Consensus implies more than the concept of a simple majority but not necessarily una-
nimity.

1. Source: ANSI’s “Standards Management: A Handbook for Profit”

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Mandatory standards require compliance because of a government statute or regulation, an

organization’s internal policy, or a contractual requirement. Failure to comply with a manda-
tory standard usually carries a sanction, such as civil or criminal penalties, or loss of
employment.
De facto standards are widely accepted and used, but lack formal approval by a recognized
standards developing organization. Common examples of de facto standards are driving
customs (right versus left side of the road) and the QWERTY keyboard.
National standards, when viewed from an “official” perspective, are adopted by a national
standards body (e.g., American National Standards Institute, Standards Council of Canada,
and British Standards Institution) and made available to the public. Practically speaking,
however, a national standard is any standard that is widely used and recognized within a
country.
Regional standards are developed or adopted and promulgated by a regional organization,
e.g., European Committee for Standardization (CEN) or Pan American Standards Commis-
sion (COPANT). Regional standards are generally voluntary in nature, representing the joint
action of the national standards bodies of a regional group of nations.
International standards are not easy to define. What constitutes an international standard is
a subject of much discussion and disagreement. There does seem to be some general agree-
ment that for a standard to be considered international it must be used in multiple nations,
with its development process open to representatives from all countries. Some international
standards are promulgated by multinational treaty organizations, such as the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) or the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion (FAO). Some international standards are promulgated by multinational non-treaty
organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Some international standards are written by organizations that originated as national indus-
try associations, professional societies, or standards developers, but over time they evolved
into a global presence with multinational participation. Examples are: ASTM International,
SAE International and NFPA International (Source SEC).
Please note: the existence of a published standard does not imply that it is always useful or
correct. For example, if an item complies with a certain standard, there is not necessarily
assurance that it is fit for any particular use. The people who use the item or service (engi-
neers, contractors, specifiers) or specify it (building codes, government, industry, etc.) have
the responsibility to consider the available standards, specify the correct one, enforce com-
pliance, and use the item correctly. It is essential to validate suitability before any standard is
specified.
Standards are often reviewed, revised and updated. It is critical to always use and/or refer-
ence the most current version of a published standard. The originator or standard writing
body often lists the current versions on its website.
In contrast, a custom, convention, company product or procedure, corporate standard, etc.,
which becomes generally accepted and dominant, is often called a de facto standard.
In most cases, standards require inspectors to perform certain tasks that, if needed, can be
replicated. Any tests performed per the requirements, but not done to the standard must be

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documented accordingly. One good example is ASTM D4541, which does not require cut-
ting around a dolly during an adhesion test. However, if the specification references ASTM
D4541 and cutting around the dolly was done as part of the test, then the test was not done
to the standard, i.e., so this process must be documented on the appropriate form.
In the case of NACE International, their standards represent a consensus of those individual
members who have reviewed the document, its scope, and provisions. Its acceptance does
not in any respect preclude anyone, whether they have adopted the standard or not, from
manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not in
conformance with these standards. Nothing contained in NACE International’s standards
are to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, to manufacture, sell,
or use in connection with any method, apparatus, or product covered by Letters Patent, or as
indemnifying or protecting anyone against liability for infringement of Letters Patent.
NACE International’s standards represent minimum requirements and should in no way be
interpreted as a restriction on the use of better procedures or materials.
Standards are not “static” documents and as such must be reviewed, renewed, or changed, if
needed. The process of change control is a formal process used to ensure that changes to any
standard are introduced in a controlled and coordinated manner. This process reduces the
possibility that unnecessary changes will be introduced to the system without the necessary
consensus, and reduces the possibility of creating disruption industry-wide. The goals of a
change control procedure usually include minimal disruption to services, reduction in back-
out activities, and cost-effective utilization of the resources involved in implementing
change.
In the world of standards organizations and bodies, the term national standards body (NSB)
is generally used to refer to the one-per-country standardization organization, which is that
country’s member to ISO. However, the term Standards Developing Organization (SDO)
generally refers to the thousands of industry or sector-based standards organizations which
develop and publish industry specific standards. A good example of such an organization
would be NACE International. Some economies feature only an NSB with no other SDOs
while larger economies like the United States and Japan have several SDOs.

9.2 How to Properly Interpret and Use a Standard

Requests for official interpretations of standards are usually submitted in writing to the orig-
inating organization for consideration. These requests usually include the following infor-
mation: the standard and the essential element the request pertains to, and background
information related to the request, including a rationale for why an interpretation is being
requested. In addition to responding to written requests for interpretations, these organiza-
tions have the authority to issue official interpretations of the standards as they see fit.
Occasionally, questions arise regarding the meaning of portions of standards as they relate to
specific applications. Such requests for interpretations should ask for clarifications of the
exact nature of the contents of the standard. Questions relating to such interpretations are
reviewed and evaluated in accordance with the organization’s guidelines.
Interpretations are issued to explain and clarify the intent of the standard and are not
intended to constitute an alteration to the original standard or to supply consulting informa-
tion. A general practice during any interpretation is that new rules cannot be adopted to fit
situations not yet covered in the standard, even if the investigations lead to conclusions that

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a requirement in a standard is incomplete or in error. Changes to a standard are made only

through revisions or supplement within an established time-frame (5 years in most cases). It
is recognized in the industry that requests are frequently received that are partially or totally
requests for information rather than requests for an interpretation. It is inappropriate to
issue an official interpretation to answer such requests.

9.3 NACE International Standards

NACE International standards are the most specified standards for corrosion control in the
world today. NACE is one of the world’s largest voluntary standards-development groups,
and its standards are written and approved by industry professionals, instructors, professors,
government officials, and experts from regulatory and governing bodies. NACE Interna-
tional is a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an accredited
standards developer. It is worth noting that although NACE is involved in all aspects of
corrosion control education, approximately 50% of all NACE standards are related to protec-
tive coatings. On surface preparation, NACE has teamed up with the Society for Protective
Coatings (SSPC) and developed joint standards. The standards will be discussed throughout
this course.
The standards developed and published by NACE conform to the consensus principles of
the association and have met the approval requirements of NACE procedures, rules, and reg-
ulations. NACE International issues a Book of Standards based on three classifications:
• Standard practice (SP)
• Test method (TM)
• Materials requirement (MR)

9.3.1 Standard Practices (SPs) include recommendations for:

• Design
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Proper use of a material or a corrosion control system
Some SPs focus on:
• Details of construction of a corrosion control systems
• Methods of treating the surface to reduce corrosion
• Requirements for using devices to reduce corrosion
• Procedures for increasing the effectiveness, safety, and economic benefits of an instal-
lation or system

9.3.2 NACE Test Methods (TMs)

Test methods (TMs) are related to corrosion prevention and control. They detail the method
of conducting tests to ascertain the characteristics of a:
• Material

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• Design
• Operation

9.3.3 Materials Requirements (MRs)

MRs state the necessary characteristics of a material when corrosion is a factor in the selec-
tion, application, and maintenance of the material.
The coating inspector cannot be expected to memorize all of the various standards available.
However, it is the coating inspector’s responsibility to know where the standards may be
obtained. When a standard is referenced in a specification, the coating inspector must
obtain a copy of that standard and become aware of the thrust of that standard.
If there is any part of a referenced standard that is not clear to the inspector, he or she should
bring it up at the pre-job conference and seek clarification. Coating inspectors should stay
abreast of changes and revisions in standards with which they may work on any given proj-
ect. Coatings inspectors should also be aware of new standards created to meet the needs of
industry.
As stated earlier, a number of worldwide organizations develop standards for the industry.
Some of the most common ones include:
• SSPC
• ASTM
• ISO
• Committee of Industry Standards (CIS- China)
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
• National Standards Body (UK)
Regardless of which organization developed the standard, the coating inspector’s responsi-
bilities remain the same.
In the event a need for interpretation comes up, always contact the organization and make a
formal request according to the established guidelines for that particular organization.
Remember, give adequate time for responses.

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Study Guide
1. The Standards Engineering Society (SES) description of a standard is:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the difference between voluntary and mandatory standards:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. Explain the difference between a National Standards Body (NSB) and Standards Devel-
oping Organization (SDO):
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

4. Name and define the three NACE standards classifications:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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