Naser M. Al-Baddah & Partner General Trading & Contracting Co. w.l.l.

Technical Services Division Operating Procedures

Doc. Ref. No.: NBTC-OP/TS16
Procedure for Revision: 0 Date: Jan. 2009
Holiday Detection Test
Approved by: General Manager
Page 1 of 2

1. Purpose
The purpose of this Procedure is to provide guideline for Holiday Detection Test.

2. SCOPE
2.1 The scope of this procedure applies specifically to check pinholes and defective coatings on steel base.

2.2 This procedure covers both newly constructed, reconditioning of Tanks, Vessels and pipelines.

3. Definitions
Holiday Detection : Any disband or pinholes being detected during coating.

4. PROCEDURE

Protective coating failure can result in corrosion or other deterioration of the underlying material or
substrate. Possible problems include formation of corrosion product such as rust or pits and chemical attack.
The resulting repairs of the coating and the inability to use the affected equipment and plant can be very
expensive.

Often, failures occur due to the presence of flaws in the finished coating. Typical flaws are pinholes,
holidays, inclusions, air bubbles, cracks and thin spots. Therefore, it is good practice to inspect a coating for
defects and flaws, following established guidelines or procedures.

The DC holiday detector generates a high DC voltage that is applied to the coating surface through a probe.
In addition, the detector is connected to the substrate via the high voltage return (earth) lead. When the probe
is passed over the coating flaw, then the electrical circuit is completed and the current flows from the probe
to the substrate. As a result, audible and visual alarms are activated in the detector and a spark may be
produced at the flaw. Holiday detector will detect coating flaws provided the coating is:

Non-conducting.
Applied to a conducting substrate (including concrete).
At least 200 m (0.008) thick, and preferably under 500 m (0.020), thick.

5. VOLTAGE SETTING

For the effective testing, the output voltage must lie between upper and lower limits. The upper voltage limit
is that at which the coating itself would breakdown and damaged. Therefore, the test voltage should be lower
than this value. The lower limit is the voltage required to breakdown the thickness of air equivalent to the
coating thickness. If the output voltage is not greater than this value, then a flaw will not be detected.

6. SURFACE PREPARATION
Prior to testing contaminations like oil, grease dust should be wiped by a clean cloth and by low pressure air.

7. SAFETY

The personnel working should follow all the safety rules and regulations of the companys code and
specifications.
Naser M. Al-Baddah & Partner General Trading & Contracting Co. w.l.l.
Technical Services Division Operating Procedures
Doc. Ref. No.: NBTC-OP/TS16
Procedure for Revision: 0 Date: Jan. 2009
Holiday Detection Test
Approved by: General Manager
Page 2 of 2

10.0 Reference Documents

Document Title Document Ref#

Holiday Testing Report NBTC-FO/IS15