BS 4568.

1:1970 - for conduit

Section 4 requires Conduits to be classified for type and protection
Conduits and fittings are classified as
1) Plain conduits and fittings.
2) Screwed conduits and fittings.

These are further subdivided according to the type of protection applied:

Class 1. Light protection both inside and outside.
Example: priming paint.
Class 2. Medium protection both inside and outside.
Example: stoved enamel; air-drying paint.
Class 3. Medium heavy protection. Inside as Class 2, outside as Class 4.
Example: stoved enamel inside. Sherardized outside. (Pls note - Not hot dip zinc coating)
Class 4. Heavy protection both inside and outside.
Example: hot-dip zinc coating, sherardizing.
Conduits may be solid drawn or seam welded
Conduits should also be marked with the name or identification mark of the maker, the BS Number and the class of finish

Galvanizing methods

There are a variety of metal coatings that can be used to protect small steel components. Taking the example of using
zinc, there are at least three different ways of using it in such instances, all of which offer totally different coating
characteristics and performance.
These three systems are:
1. Centrifuge or spin hot dip galvanizing
2. Metallic Coating with zinc dust sherardizing
3. Zinc electroplating

Centrifuge or spin galvanizing

The terms spin galvanizing or centrifuge galvanizing are used to describe the process for hot dip galvanizing threaded
components and other small parts. The process is very similar to galvanizing larger steel sections. Small components
however are placed in perforated containers, allowing items down to 8mm in diameter to be processed. After immersion
in the galvanizing bath the container is centrifuged at high speed so that the spinning action throws off any surplus zinc
and ensures a clean profile. When the articles are immersed in the galvanizing bath, a series of zinc-iron alloy layers are
formed with a metallurgical bond to the steel surface. These alloys are harder than mild steel and are normally covered
by an outer layer of comparatively soft zinc which remains after the spinning operation. This structure is unique and gives

the galvanized coating very good resistance to rough treatment - direct blows are cushioned by the outer layer of zinc
and the hard alloy layers resist abrasion. As a general rule, nuts, bolts and washers down to M8 can readily be galvanized
and threaded components up to 2m long can be processed. Special arrangements can often be made to centrifuge
galvanized components outside this range.
Metallic Coating with Zinc Dust Sherardizing
Articles to be sherardized are first chemically cleaned or blasted and need to be thoroughly dried. Any remaining water
can cause problems when mixed with zinc powder. The clean, dry work is then placed in the sherardizing barrel with the
appropriate amount of zinc dust. In some cases fine sand has to be added to aid even distribution of the dust and the
temperature raised, prior to tumbling, until the desired coating is achieved. The dust should be very fine as coarser
powders take longer to form the coating. The need to ensure even temperature within the barrels imposes a size
limitation on the process, which is generally used for small and fairly intricate components.
Zinc Electroplating
A zinc salt solution is used to electrolytically deposit a layer of zinc on a cleaned steel surface. Acid or alkaline electrolytes
can be used. After cleaning the work is transferred, as quickly as possible, to the plating solution. Good adhesion of the
plated layer to the substrate depends on a very close physical conformity of the plating with the base metal. To achieve
this, the base metal must be scrupulously clean immediately before plating. The table below summarises the coating
characteristics and general coating thicknesses that are available via each process. It is crucial from a corrosion
protection point of view that the correct system is specified for the relevant environment to achieve the desired
performance. One difficulty that arises is that all of these processes use zinc and their different properties, coating
thicknesses and performance may be confused into an overarching description of galvanizing. In fact zinc electroplating
is often known - misleadingly - as electrogalvanizing. It is not therefore enough to merely specify galvanizing if long life
is required. If hot dip galvanizing is to be used, the specification should clearly state that the fastener coating should
conform to BS 7371 : Part 6 + A1 and to be galvanized by a member of Galvanizers Association.

The tables of standard systems for steelwork presented in this article relate to environment categories which are based
upon those given BS EN ISO 12944-2[1] and BS EN ISO 9223[2], which are described in the table below.
Atmospheric corrosivity categories and examples of typical environments (BS EN ISO 129442[1])
Corrosivi Low-carbon steel
Examples of typical environments in a temperate climate
ty
Thickness loss
(informative only)
a
Exterior
Interior
category
(m)
and risk
C1
1.3
Heated buildings with clean
very
atmospheres, e.g. offices, shops,
low
schools, hotels
C2
> 1.3 to 25
Atmospheres with low level of
Unheated buildings where
low
pollution
condensation may occur, e.g.
Mostly rural areas
depots, sports halls
C3
> 25 to 50
Urban and industrial atmospheres,
Production rooms with high
medium
moderate sulphur dioxide pollution
humidity and some air pollution
Coastal area with low salinity
e.g. food-processing plants,
laundries, breweries, dairies
C4
> 50 to 80
Industrial areas and coastal areas
Chemical plants, swimming pools,
high
with moderate salinity
coastal, ship and boatyards
C5-I
> 80 to 200
Industrial areas with high humidity
Buildings or areas with almost
very
and aggressive atmosphere
permanent condensation and high
high
pollution
(industr
ial)
C5-M
> 80 to 200
Coastal and offshore areas with
Buildings or areas with almost
very
high salinity
permanent condensation and high
high
pollution
(marine

Notes:

1m (1 micron) = 0.001mm

The loss values used for the corrosivity categories are identical to those given in BS EN ISO 9223 [2].

In coastal areas in hot, humid zones, the mass or thickness losses can exceed the limits of category C5-M. Special precautions
must therefore be taken when selecting protective paint systems for structures in such areas.

The thickness loss values are after the first year of exposure. Losses may reduce over subsequent years.

In many instances, steelwork will be in a warm dry interior where it will not corrode, and the structural stability of the
building will not be threatened during its design life (generally taken as 50 years). In such conditions (classified as C1) no
corrosion coating is required. Examples include steelwork inside dry buildings with neutral atmospheres such as multistorey office buildings, shops, schools, hotels, residential buildings, airport terminals, and hospitals, etc.
However, when steelwork is exposed to moisture, corrosion will occur at a rate depending on the severity of the
environment. In such cases, a coating system appropriate to the environment category should be provided. Note that
some buildings may contain areas where different environment conditions apply e.g. hospitals would normally be C1, but
may contain kitchens and laundry areas that would normally be C3. Some types of buildings, such as car parks may fall
into any of the above categories or combinations of them depending upon their location, design and construction. Higher
risk categories for interior environments (e.g. C4 and C5) are not covered in this article and users are advised to seek
specialist advice if their project involves such situations.
The protective systems in the tables have unique identities. The film thicknesses given in the tables are nominal dry film
values (m = micron = 0.001mm). The tables also identify the nearest equivalent system in BS EN ISO 12944-5 [3] , and
the required surface preparation to BS EN ISO 8501-1[4]

BS 4678 Part 1 :1971 - for cable trunking

Class 1: Electroplated zinc having a minimum thickness of zinc coating of 0.0012 mm, inside outside.
Class 2: As Class I but with additional coating of stoved or air drying paint, applied at least to the external surface.
Class 3: Hot-dip zinc coated steel to BS 2989 and with a minimum coating designation of G275