Quality assurance and QC
Inspection and test plans, QC systems and documentation your clients will trust.
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Service 01
Coating inspection
Independent coating inspection that catches problems while they are still cheap to fix.
Overview
Why it matters
Most coating failures are decided before the first coat goes on: poor surface preparation, contamination, the wrong ambient conditions or a rushed overcoating window. We inspect at the hold points that matter and record what we find against the specification.
You get clear, traceable reports with readings, photographs and locations, ready to hand straight to your main contractor or end client.
When to call us
- A main contractor or end client needs independent verification of your coating work.
- The specification calls for a qualified coating inspector at hold points.
- You are taking over a package from another applicator and need a baseline.
- A coating is showing defects and you need facts rather than opinions.
What is included
How we deliver coating inspection
- 01
Pre-job review
Specification, product data sheets and inspection hold points agreed before work starts, so everyone knows what "right" looks like.
- 02
Surface preparation
Steel condition and preparation grade to ISO 8501-1, surface profile to ISO 8503, dust to ISO 8502-3 and soluble salts by Bresle test.
- 03
Ambient conditions
Air and steel temperature, relative humidity and dew point logged throughout application, as described in ISO 8502-4.
- 04
Film thickness
Wet film checks during application and dry film thickness measured and reported to ISO 19840 or ISO 2808, as the specification requires.
- 05
Adhesion and continuity
Pull-off adhesion to ISO 4624, cross-cut to ISO 2409 and holiday detection where the specification calls for them.
- 06
Final inspection
Visual inspection of the finished system, defect mapping and a signed report against the inspection and test plan.
What you receive
- Daily inspection records and climate logs
- Dry film thickness reports with readings and statistics
- Photographic defect log with locations
- Non-conformance reports with agreed corrective actions
- Final inspection report and sign-off against the ITP
Standards we work to
Referenced as the specification requires. See our standards guides for plain-English explanations.
- ISO 8501-1
- ISO 8502-3
- ISO 8502-4
- ISO 8502-6
- ISO 8503
- ISO 19840
- ISO 2808
- ISO 4624
- ISO 2409
- ISO 12944
Industries
Where we deliver this most
Data centres
Hyperscale and colocation builds, where large steel frames carry intumescent fire protection and fast programmes leave no room for rework.
Nuclear
Nuclear new build and plant support, where traceability and hold-point discipline are non-negotiable.
Energy and utilities
Power generation, substations, water and wastewater assets, where coatings are often renewed inside short planned outages.
Infrastructure projects
Rail, transport and public infrastructure, where long design lives and difficult access make every coating decision expensive to get wrong.
Bridges and highway structures
Steel bridges, gantries and highway structures, protected for decades and often repainted under traffic management.
Marine and offshore
Offshore wind, port infrastructure and marine structures in the harshest corrosivity categories, from the Haven ports to the offshore wind hubs.
Questions
Coating inspection: common questions
Are your inspectors qualified?
Our lead inspector holds ICorr Level 2 and AMPP (formerly NACE) Level 2 coating inspector certification. ICorr Level 3 and AMPP-certified inspectors are available in the company where a project needs senior sign-off.
Do you inspect in the shop or on site?
Both. We inspect in fabrication and finishing shops, at applicators’ premises and on site, across East Anglia and throughout the UK.
What will my report contain?
Everything measured against the specification: preparation grades, profile, contamination results, climate readings, film thickness data, adhesion results and photographs, with any non-conformances and the actions agreed.
How quickly can you attend?
Usually within a few working days in East Anglia, and sooner for urgent work whenever we can. For projects further afield, tell us your dates when you enquire.
Related
Often booked together
Failure investigation
Root-cause analysis of coating defects, with clear evidence and corrective actions.
Find out more
Specification development
Coating specifications and system selection matched to environment, life and budget.
Find out more
Talk to us about coating inspection
Tell us about the job. We respond to all enquiries within one working day, with a clear scope and price.
Prefer to talk? Call 07810 022184