QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND
QUALICOAT ’ s First Hybrid Meeting
By Angus Mackie - QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Chair
The Association ’ s first physical members meeting since lockdown began , recently took place at the Arden Hotel and Leisure Club in Solihull . The event was well attended and included members who joined the meeting online . The event allowed all attending members to be in full communication whilst sharing screen presentations and important technical discussion .
Despite the pandemic growth of QUALICOAT UK & Ireland continues as specifications for the QUALICOAT architectural powder coating standard continue to increase . Currently the Association has eighteen powder coating members , two new members who have undertaken plant and process inspections should join by the end of the year and will shortly be announced as a QUALICOAT licence holders . A further five companies , three independent coaters and two in-house coating facilities have undertaken plant inspections and are now undertaking process inspection should join in the new year . The new members will see the availability of the QUALICOAT standard increase to twenty-five coating companies , an almost 40 % increase within a year .
Powder coating has proven , through testing , not to contribute towards the surface speed of flame for external envelopes , within a recognised ‘ A2-s1 , d0 ’ classification under BS EN 13501-1 . A maximum average coating thickness should be specified by the powder manufacturer and this may vary from colour to colour depending upon the organic chemical content of the formulation . The QUALICOAT specification has received an update confirming that all powder manufacturers products must meet the A2-s1 , d0 classification when coated to specified thicknesses . This update will be effective from the beginning of 2022 .
A QUALICOAT specification differs to that of the self-certification implicit under BS EN 12206-1 as members of QUALICOAT are twice yearly , independently inspected and assessed to ensure that their coating processes and internal process quality inspections are being carried out at regular intervals as outlined in the QUALICOAT specification . In the UK & Ireland these twice yearly unannounced inspections are carried out by independent test house IFO , who are based in the Netherlands . Since the pandemic lockdown inspections have continued unabated by virtual means but the second half of the inspections this year have been undertaken by physical unannounced visits . At the members meeting it was confirmed that the second round of visits would be complete by the end of November . A failure to comply with the QUALICOAT standard could mean the withdrawal of a members QUALICOAT licence .
As part of the quality inspections process , coating member ’ s lab technicians must attend a days training conducted by IFO at least once every two years . This ensures that the most up to date QUALICOAT specification for process testing and recording is maintained . This year ’ s virtual training day was held in late October .
Members of QUALICOAT include the supply chain pretreatment system suppliers and the powder manufacturers , coating members must use products from these members . It was announced at the meeting that QUALICOAT licensed powder manufacturer inspections would reduce from five years to three years and that the ‘ Powders Working Group ’ are currently reviewing the conformities required for the more regular inspections .
QUALICOAT celebrates their 35th anniversary this year with a virtual congress held on the 17th November , more information on the congress website at www . qctcongress2021 . net . QUALICOAT UK & Ireland are looking to hold a conference in London in 2022 for all specifiers of architectural powder coating , more information will be provided on the QUALICOAT UK & Ireland website very soon .
The global QUALICOAT standard continues to be incrementally revised with update sheets and a reprint of the standard every year . The standard is freely available for download at www . qualicoat . net . For details on the availability of various colours and finishes contact any QUALICOAT UK & Ireland member for more information . For updated information about the use and specification of QUALICOAT in the UK and Ireland , please visit the UK & Ireland Association website at www . qualicoatuki . org .
10 NOVEMBER 2021 twitter : @ surfaceworldmag