Surface World February 2020 Surface World February 2020 | Page 8
QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND
QUALICOAT’s Global Influence
Across the globe, QUALICOAT
continues to increase
in membership as the
independent QUALICOAT
standard is clearly one of
the most successful global
standards available when
specifying architectural
aluminium coatings. As
London is seen as the
global architectural hub,
the QUALICOAT standard is
widely specifi ed and provides
architectural powder coating
to the same standard and
quality virtually anywhere
across the globe.
So who is QUALICOAT?
The standard, now in its 16th Edition, is
produced by a member association which is
located in Zurich. Not under the influence of
any country or government, the independent
association draws it membership mainly from
powder manufacturers, metal pretreatment
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systems companies and architectural powder
coating applicators located worldwide.
These members work closely together in
working groups, in conjunction with
independent test houses, to continually
develop and push the boundaries of quality
finishes for architectural aluminium. As a
result, the various working groups produce
research papers are then updated into the
current QUALICOAT Standard, the standard
is then freely distributed and available on the
QUALICOAT website.
Membership of the association is limited to
companies who can demonstrate that they
possess the necessary equipment and testing
regimes that allow them to produce a quality
product which meets the current QUALICOAT
Standard. Independent test houses are
appointed to undertake audits of potential
members who wish to demonstrate compliance.
All QUALICOAT
Members are Licenced
Once licenced it is crucial for the
maintenance of the standard that all
members of the association are
independently inspected on a regular basis to
ensure that they continue to meet the
requirement of the current standard.
Furthermore, a powder coat applicator will
need to demonstrate that they are using
powders and pretreatment systems from
licenced QUALICOAT suppliers.
QUALICOAT -
A simple specifi cation
As a specifier, to ensure that the coatings on
your project are provided to the highest
standard, simply specify QUALICOAT, state
the location of the project and the supplier of
the coatings will then ensure the correct
system is supplied for the project.
Powder classes can also be specified for
prestigious projects, typically Class 1 powders
are used in the UK but we are seeing more
robust powders being specified for longer life
expectancies and now often see Class 2
powders widely specified. Aluminium
pretreatment systems are equally as important
and their quality of application is crucial to the
longevity of the applied powder coating. To
expand on the specification speak to your
licenced applicator who can be found on the
QUALICOAT website.
Copies of the sixteenth edition of
the QUALICOAT Standard, is available
through the UK Association website,
www.qualicoatuki.org together with
an up-to-date list of licenced Powder
Suppliers, licenced Pretreatment
Suppliers and licensed Applicators.
Printed literature and telephone
support is available from QUALICOAT
UK & Ireland Head Offi ce in
Birmingham on 0330 236 2800 or
email [email protected].
The Association can also be followed
on Twitter @Qualicoatuki
Surface World Live 2020 is being held in Hall 9 at the
NEC in Birmingham on the 18th & 19th March 2020.
We look forward to seeing you at the show!
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