This revision of BS 4147 has been prepared under the direction of the Elements and Components (of Diverse Materials) for Buildings Standards Committee.
BS 4147 was first published in 1967. A revised edition was published in 1973 to take account of metrication. Since 1967 much has been learned about the specification and testing of bitumen-and coal-tar-based hot-applied coatings, particularly in connection with the extensive installation of steel pipelines for the transmission of oil, water and gas. This standard takes into account these technical advances. An international standard covering the selection and application of bitumen- and coal-tar-based protections for steel pipes is in course of preparation, the drafting being done by a committee of CEOCOR (Western European Committee on Corrosion and Protection of Pipelines). After many meetings a draft is nearing completion. It is evident that materials and practices vary widely in the countries represented on the committee, and a common standard will have to allow for the well established practices of the various countries. In this British Standard the aim has been to produce a document which is compatible with the current international standard draft, but which also prescribes closer limits for many properties which experience in the UK has shown to be advantageous.
This standard gives guidance on the commonly accepted uses for the different types and grades of coating materials. Performance tests for bend and peel are introduced for type 2 coating materials. The direct impact test is carried out at 0 °C as well as at 25 °C, since steel pipelines coated with these materials are often handled at low ambient temperatures. A surface profile requirement for the
steel plates used in performance tests is also introduced.
It should be emphasized that the protective system can be ineffectual if the coating materials are not correctly applied, or they are applied to an unsatisfactory surface. CP 2010-2 and CP 2010-3 gives guidance on application to steel and iron pipelines.
The use of hot-applied bitumen-based coatings in connection with the protection of steel pipes and fittings against corrosion is mentioned particularly in BS 534. Black bitumen coating solutions for cold application are specified in BS 3416. Hot-applied coal-tar based coating materials for protecting iron and steel are specified in BS 4164, a revised version of which is being published simultaneously with this standard.
