STANDARDISATION & REGULATION

EN-ISO 1461

The new standard is in place. It is important to know that the translation is on its way. Guus and Hans have been working with a translation agency on the Dutch translation. Meanwhile, the file is with the editors of NEN. Once there is agreement with the text, it will be active in Dutch. The old version from 2009 will expire in March 2023.

Main changes to the standard

- All information related to zinc coating thickness requirements has been moved to Article 6.5 (Acceptance Criteria) to improve clarity.

- The approach to acceptance criteria for composite objects of different material thicknesses and relationship to dimensions have been made clearer.

- Clause 6.5 contains other (lower) zinc coating thickness requirements for ultra-low reactive steels [ultra-low reactive steels are steels characterized by very low silicon content].

- Extensive revisions have been made to Article 6.3 and Annex C regarding the renovation of black spots (unzinced spots). Provides more freedom in the choice of which zinc-rich paint as well as a description of zinc flakes.

- A number of definitions have been added including “duplex system” in clause 3

- The impossibility/difficulty of removing flux residues and zinc ash when access is restricted is recognized in Article 6.1. So the phrase that flux residues are not allowed is dropped in that capacity.

- Additional requirements to avoid reference surfaces on certain small welded parts on a larger object have been added in Article 6.2.3. Consider flanges and the like. For a beam with a head and foot plate, the zinc coating thickness is measured only of the main profile and not of the flanges!

- Information on the corrosion resistance of a zinc coating has been updated, including a reference to ISO 9224 for longer-term corrosion resistance in Annex E.

NEN-5254

In May of this year, the new NEN 5254 was also published.

Unlike the previous version, it only deals with the combination of wet paint with hot-dip galvanized steel. Guus and Hans have been working on the text and Hans Bosveld of Vereniging ION has also been working on the new standard. The standard describes the agreements between the various parties. In particular, the standard makes clear to the client, galvanizer, coating preparer and applicator, where responsibilities lie in addition to the agreements.

In terms of text, the new NEN 5254 is in sync with the code of practice Powder and wet coating on galvanized substrates and also EN 15773.

For duplex systems with powder coating, European standard EN 15773 applies. Of particular interest is the text on coating preparation. In this, different levels of coating preparation can be distinguished.