Surface World March 2019 SW_March_2019_LR | Page 24

QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND
So What Differentiates a
QUALICOAT Applicator?
When specifying powder
coating for any architectural
project, the applicator
needs to be aware of the
standards they need to
work to.
As a minimum this should be quoted at BS
EN 12206-1:2004, it should not be quoted
as BS 6496:1984 as this was withdrawn in
February 2017. The applicator should be a
specialist in architectural coatings and not
just a ‘jobbing’ powder coater who coats
anything requested, as they will not have the
pretreatment system to cope with lengths of
aluminium of up to 7m.
audited over a period of a few months at
their cost, and only then, when they can
prove that they can work to the latest
QUALICOAT Standard will they be awarded
a licence to use the QUALICOAT name,
logo and quote their licence number.
Pretreatment of aluminium profile is crucial
to long powder
coat life, without
an extensive
investment and
implementation of
control mechanisms
in a pretreatment
plant, powder
coating for
architectural use
will simply will be
‘not fit for purpose’.
So what
differentiates a
QUALICOAT
Applicator?
Well, first of all it
is not a requirement
in the UK to have
a QUALICOAT
licence to supply
architectural powder
coating. Furthermore
any applicator
wishing to gain a
licence will most
likely have to invest
in upgrading their
equipment and
processes, have one
or more full-time lab
technicians and a
laboratory for
ongoing process
testing, be
independently
22
MARCH 2019
So why? Simply put QUALICOAT licence
holders are companies who want to offer
quality architectural powder coating that
stands the test of time, the growing number
of architectural specifications bare this out
as the industry realises that by specifying an
independently audited QUALICOAT licence
holder for their coating requirements ensures
an ongoing powder coat quality. Can a
QUALICOAT licence holder loose their
licence? Yes, and it has occurred over the
last few years where the inspecting body in
the UK, QUALICOAT UK & Ireland has
revoked a licence holder for non-compliance
with the current QUALICOAT specification.
Simply put, a QUALICOAT applicator
will provide a quality powder coat finish
that uses the latest technology that is
know to offer an extensive life expectancy.
A QUALICOAT applicator can also be
on hand at any time to advise on what
specification is required for any given
location by any specifier. In the UK & Ireland
there are currently sixteen applicators, and
the number continues to grow.
Copies of the fi fteenth edition of the
QUALICOAT Standard, complete with
amendments and updates, is freely
available through the UK Association
website, www.qualicoatuki.org together
with an up-to-date list of Powder
Suppliers, Pretreatment Suppliers
and Applicators. Printed literature and
telephone support is available from
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Head Offi ce
in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.
The Association can also be followed
on Twitter at @Qualicoat.
read online: www.surfaceworld.com