This guide describes procedures for preparing a specification for protective coatings conforming with volatile organic compound (VOC) content requirements.
Procedures cover determining VOC content, compliance requirements, qualifying, selecting, and evaluating performance of coatings, and assembling the specification.
This guide is intended to be used by specifiers, end users, and others who are required to select, test, or specify coatings to meet VOC regulations.
This guide describes the major steps needed to prepare a specification to comply with VOC regulations.
Understanding VOC Regulations (Section 4):
This section describes the basis of regulations and how VOCs are regulated. The types of regulations and the various coating categories are outlined.
Determining VOC Requirements (Section 5):
Specific procedures include determining location of the coating application, identifying the agency having jurisdiction, determining the category of coating, determining the VOC level that must be met, and selecting the test method for determining VOC content.
Selecting Coatings to Meet VOC Requirements(Section 6): This section establishes the requirements for qualifying and selecting coatings to meet VOC requirements. Requirements include coating performance properties, application properties, field case histories, and supplier service. For each set of requirements the guide describes approaches for developing specific criteria and rating schemes.
Preparing Specifications (Section 7): This section gives guidance on assembling the specification. Key components include performance and application requirements, supplier qualification, VOC classification, thinning, and quality control provisions.
State Contacts for Air Quality Control Regulations (Appendix A): Information is also provided on state air quality contacts.
VOC LEVELS: Coatings are typically regulated by establishing limits on the VOC content of the coating at the time of application after addition of any thinners. This guide identifies six possible levels of VOC content which might be adopted for various coating categories:
• VOC Level 1 - less than or equal to 60 9/L (0.5 Ibs/gal)
• VOC Level 2 - less than or equal to 120 g/liter (1.0 Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 3 - less than or equal to 250 g/liter (2.1 Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 4 - less than or equal to 340 g/liter (2.8 Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 5 - less than or equal to 420 g/liter (3.5 Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 6 - unrestricted VOC content
