SSPC-Paint 44

August 1, 2013
Editoral Revision October 3, 2013

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

Coating Specification No. 44
Liquid-Applied Organic Polymeric Coatings and Linings for Concrete
Structures in Municipal Wastewater Facilities, Performance-Based

1. Scope C307 Standard Test Method for Tensile

Strength of Chemical Resistant Mortar,
The standard provides performance requirements for Grouts and Monolithic Surfacings
coatings and linings used on sound concrete substrates in C413 Standard Test Method for Absorption
principal service environments of areas of a municipal waste- of Chemical Resistant Mortars, Grouts,
water treatment facility, including: Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer
• Collection Systems (manholes, lift stations, pump Concretes
stations, tunnels and interceptors) C531 Standard Test Method for Linear
• Preliminary Treatment Systems (grit chambers, Shrinkage and Coefficient of Thermal
headworks and screening structures) Expansion of Chemical Resistant
• Primary Treatment Systems (sedimentation tanks Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings
and primary clarifiers) and Polymer Concretes
• Secondary Treatment Systems (aeration basins, * D562 Standard Test Method for Consis-
secondary clarifiers, chlorine contact chambers and tency of Paints Measuring Krebs Unit
oxygenation chambers) (KU) Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type
• Advanced Treatment Systems (filtration units) Viscometer
• Solids Handling Areas (digesters and dewatering * D1475 Standard Test Method For Density of
structures) Liquid Coatings, Inks, and Related
• Chemical Storage: Secondary Containment Products
Structures * D1640 Standard Test Methods for Drying,
Nonmandatory Note 6.1 provides an example of project speci- Curing, or Film Formation of Organic
fication language used to invoke requirements of this standard. Coatings at Room Temperature
D1653 Standard Test Methods for Water
2. Referenced Standards Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating
Film
2.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the refer- * D2369 Standard Test Method for Volatile
enced documents in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall Content of Coatings
govern unless otherwise specified. Standards marked with an D2370 Standard Test Method for Tensile Prop-
asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes, which are not erties of Organic Coatings
requirements of this standard. * D2621 Standard Test Method for Infrared
Identification of Vehicle Solids From
2.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of any of Solvent-Reducible Paints
the cited reference documents and this standard, the require- D4060 Standard Test Method for Abrasion
ments of this standard shall prevail. If an owner or specifier Resistance of Organic Coatings by the
modifies requirements of a referenced standard in any manner, Taber Abraser
the modification shall be identified and explained. D 6943 Standard Practices for Immersion
Testing of Industrial Protective Coatings
2.3 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7234 Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Adhe-
Standards1: sion Strength of Coatings on Concrete
Using Portable Pull-Off Adhesion
C267 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Testers
Resistance of Mortars, Grouts, and E96 Standard Test Methods for Water
Monolithic Surfacings and Polymer Vapor Transmission of Materials
Concretes

1
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. For
referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, <http://www.astm.org>, or contact
ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.

1
SSPC-Paint 44
August 1, 2013
Editorial Revision October 3, 2013
4. Definitions
Coating: A liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition that
is converted to a solid protective, decorative, or functional
adherent film after application as a thin layer.
Collection Systems: The series of laterals, manholes,
interceptors and pump stations through which municipal
wastewater is transported to the treatment facility.
Light Service (concrete): Environments in which
surfaces and applied coatings have minimal exposure to
traffic, chemicals, and changes in temperature.
Lining: A material used to protect the interior of a
container against corrosion and/or to protect the contents of
the container from contamination by the container shell mate-
rial. Sprayable linings, sheet liners, and drop-in liners can be
used to accomplish these purposes,
Preliminary Treatment Systems: The first steps in
processing municipal wastewater, which consists of monitoring
flow, screening debris, and removing grit (heavy inorganic
solids).
Primary Treatment: The process by which contaminants
that either float or settle are removed from the wastewater
(e.g., oils, greases, solids etc.).
Secondary Containment: Structures (often concrete
dikes) that provide chemical spill containment should the
primary means of chemical storage fail or leak.
Secondary Treatment: The process by which microor-
ganisms are used to absorb and oxidize organic substances
from the wastewater.
Severe Service (concrete): Environments in which
surfaces and applied coatings have significant exposure to
traffic, chemicals, or changes in temperature.
Solids Handling: The process by which wastewater
sludge (settled solids) is removed from the wastewater treat-
ment process and treated to remove excess water.
Advanced Treatment: Specialized processes that
remove specific organic and inorganic contaminants from
wastewater.
Wastewater Sludge: Solid, semisolid or liquid material
generated from a wastewater treatment process. A biologi-
cally active mix of water, organic matter (derived from human
wastes, food wastes, etc.), inorganic solids (including trace
elements), dead and alive microorganisms (including patho-
gens), and trace contaminants (e.g., chemicals). Wastewater
sludge is generated in primary settling tanks (“clarifiers”) and
2
secondary settling tanks and, in most cases, is a slightly
viscous, gray-brown liquid.
5. Minimum Coating Performance Requirements in
Specific Wastewater Treatment Facility Areas
4.1 Table 1 (pages 4-5) displays the minimum coating
performance requirements for coatings and linings used in
various areas of a wastewater treatment facility.
• Column 1, “System or Area” lists the area of the
facility where the coating will be used.
• Columns 2 through 8 list ASTM test procedures and
minimum performance requirements for the coatings
used in the various facility areas.
• Column 9 “Description of Test Environment…”
describes the test environment and minimum expo-
sure duration for chemical resistance testing following
procedures in ASTM D6943 or ASTM C267.
• Unless otherwise specified, the number of replicate
specimens required for testing shall be as recom-
mended by the ASTM test method specified. If the
ASTM test method does not include a recommended
number of replicates, 3 replicate specimens shall
be prepared and tested to determine compliance
with requirements of this standard, unless otherwise
specified.
4.2 Disregard the results of any adhesion test pull that
causes 100 percent substrate failure prior to reaching the
minimum psi for the specified service condition. Repeat the
test pull. Test substrates (panels) that fail consistently below
the minimum required psi shall be discarded.
4.3 ANALYTICAL TEST DATA: If mutually agreed upon
by purchaser and supplier, the coating manufacturer shall
provide records of chemical and physical analysis of coating
batches qualified by independent testing to meet this standard
(see Notes 6.2 and 6.3).
5. Disclaimer
5.1 This is a consensus standard developed by SSPC:
The Society for Protective Coatings. While every precaution
is taken to ensure that all information furnished in SSPC stan-
dards and specifications is as accurate, complete and useful
as possible, SSPC cannot assume responsibility nor incur any
obligation resulting from the use of any materials, coatings, or
methods specified herein, or of the specification or standard
itself.
5.2 This standard does not attempt to address problems
concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this stan-
dard, as well as the user of all products or practices described
herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate health and
safety practices and for ensuring compliance with all govern-
mental regulations.

6. Notes
Notes are not requirements of this standard.
6.1 Sample Specification Language: To use this stan-
dard in a project specification, the specifier selects the area(s)
of the facility to be coated from Column 1 of Table 1, and
specifies the Table 1 row number that contains the appropriate
criteria for the treatment area. An example of language that
can be used in a project specification is provided below:
Coatings used in _____ [specify area, e.g., “Primary
Treatment Systems”] shall meet requirements of SSPC-
Paint 44, Table 1, Row ___ [specify row number, e.g.,.
for Primary Treatment Systems, specify “Row 3”].
6.2 VOC Content: Federal limits for VOC in industrial
maintenance coatings were published in 1998 and may be
found at:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/183e/aim/aimpg.html#RULE.
These limits apply to coatings at the time of application after
thinning according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Many state and local governments and/or air quality manage-
ment areas have more stringent VOC regulations than those
in the federal rule. Information on the VOC content of each
container before mixing or thinning is found on the container
SSPC-Paint 44
August 1, 2013
Editoral Revision October 3, 2013
label and in the manufacturer’s safety data sheet. The coating
manufacturer’s product data sheet usually provides informa-
tion on the total VOC content of a coating after mixing and any
recommended thinning.
6.3 Quality Assurance Tests: If the user chooses, tests
may be used to determine the acceptability of a lot or batch of a
qualified coating. The quality assurance tests are used to deter-
mine whether the supplied products are of the same type and
quality as those originally tested and certified for acceptance.
The selected tests should accurately and rapidly measure the
physical and chemical characteristics of the coating necessary
to verify that the supplied material is substantially the same as
the previously accepted material. All of the quality assurance
tests must be performed on the originally submitted qualifica-
tion sample. The results of these tests are used to establish
pass/fail criteria for quality assurance testing of supplied
products. Recommended quality assurance tests include, but
are not limited to, infrared analysis (ASTM D2621), viscosity
(ASTM D562), weight per gallon (ASTM D1475), total solids
(ASTM D2369),and dry time (ASTM D1640).

Copyright ©
SSPC standards, guides, and technical reports are copyrighted
world-wide by SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings. Any
photocopying, re-selling, or redistribution of these standards,
guides, and technical reports by printed, electronic, or any
other means is strictly prohibited without the express written
consent of SSPC: The Society of Protective Coatings and a
formal licensing agreement.

3
 TABLE 1

MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

WHEN EVALUATED ACCORDING TO ASTM TESTS LISTED BELOW
Row Number Water Vapor
Water Vapor Absorption of
August 1, 2013
SSPC-Paint 44

Transmission of Description of
System Permeance (WVP)(3) Chemical Resistant Tensile
Organic Coating Exposure Duration
or Area Adhesion to Abrasion per ASTM E96, water Mortars, Grouts, Strength per
Films (WVT)(2) Linear Expansion and Environments for
Substrate per Resistance per method at Monolithic ASTM D2370
per ASTM D1653, per ASTM C531 Chemical Resistance per
ASTM D7234(1) ASTM D4060 21 to 24 °C Surfacings and or C307 as
Method B (wet cup) ASTM D6943(5), and/or
(69 to 75 °F) and Polymer Concretes specified
used with condition ASTM C267(5) as specified
50 to 70% RH(4) per ASTM C413
A
Editorial Revision October 3, 2013

Not less than 200 psi

and 100% substrate Abrasion loss not
failure for Light to exceed 80 mg No greater than
1. Service when tested with WVT = 1.5% in 30 days
WVP = <0.19 metric 20% H2SO4 immersion of at
Collection CS 17 wheel with <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of N/A
perms least 6 months
Systems No less than 300 psi 1,000 gm load for cure per section 7.3
and 100% substrate 1000 cycles of ASTM C413
failure for Severe
Service

Not less than 200 psi

and 100% substrate
Abrasion loss not
failure for Light No greater than
to exceed 80 mg

4
2. Service WVT = 1.5% in 30 days 20% H2SO4 immersion of at
when tested with WVP = <0.19 metric
Preliminary <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of N/A least 6 months
CS 17 wheel with perms
Treatment No less than 300 psi cure per section 7.3
1,000 gm load for
and 100% substrate of ASTM C413
1000 cycles
failure for Severe
Service

Not less than 200 psi

and 100% substrate
failure for Light No greater than
3.
Service WVT = 1.5% in 30 days
Primary WVP = <0.19 metric 20% H2SO4 immersion of at
N/A <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of N/A
Treatment perms least 6 months
No less than 300 psi cure per section 7.3
Systems
and 100% substrate of ASTM C413
failure for Severe
Service

Not less than 200 psi 20% H2SO4

and 100 % substrate 1% Ferric Sulfates
failure for Light No greater than 1.25% Sodium Hypochlorite
4.
Service WVT = 1.5% in 30 days 0.5% Sodium Bisulfate
Secondary WVP = <0.19 metric
N/A <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of N/A 1% Aluminum Sulfate
Treatment perms
No less than 300 psi cure per section 7.3 Chlorine Gas
Systems
and 100% substrate of ASTM C413 1% Ferric Chloride
failure for Severe Immersion of at least 6
Service months
 TABLE 1

MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

WHEN EVALUATED ACCORDING TO ASTM TESTS LISTED BELOW
Row Number Water Vapor
Water Vapor Absorption of
Transmission of Description of
System Permeance (WVP)(3) Chemical Resistant Tensile
Organic Coating Exposure Duration
or Area Adhesion to Abrasion per ASTM E96, water Mortars, Grouts, Strength per
Films (WVT)(2) Linear Expansion and Environments for
Substrate per Resistance per method at Monolithic ASTM D2370
per ASTM D1653, per ASTM C531 Chemical Resistance per
ASTM D7234(1) ASTM D4060 21 to 24 °C Surfacings and or C307 as
Method B (wet cup) ASTM D6943(5), and/or
(69 to 75 °F) and Polymer Concretes specified
used with condition ASTM C267(5) as specified
50 to 70% RH(4) per ASTM C413
A

Not less than 200 psi

and 100% substrate
failure for Light No greater than
5.
Service WVT = 1.5% in 30 days 1% Sodium Hypochlorite
Advanced WVP = <0.19 metric Greater than
N/A <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of immersion of at least 6
Treatment perms 2000 psi
No less than 300 psi cure per section 7.3 months
Systems
and 100% substrate of ASTM C413
failure for Severe
Service

Not less than 200 psi

and 100% substrate Abrasion loss not
failure for Light to exceed 100 No greater than
Service mg when tested WVT = 1.5% in 30 days Wastewater sludge,
6. WVP = <0.19 metric

5
with CS 17 wheel <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of N/A immersion of at least 6
Solids Handling perms
No less than 300 psi with 1,000 gm cure per section 7.3 months
and 100% substrate load for 1000 of ASTM C413
failure for Severe cycles
Service

Not less than 200 psi

and 100% substrate Abrasion loss not
failure for Light to exceed 100 No greater than
7.
Service mg when tested WVT = 1.5% in 30 days Chemicals being stored,
Chemical WVP =
with CS 17 wheel <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of N/A immersion of at least 72
Storage <0.19 metric perms
No less than 300 psi with 1,000 gm cure per section 7.3 hours
and 100% substrate load for 1000 of ASTM C413
failure for Severe cycles
Service
Not less than 200 psi
and 100% substrate Abrasion loss not
failure for Light to exceed 100 No greater than
8. Service mg when tested WVT = 1.5% in 30 days Chemical Spill containment,
WVP = No less than
Secondary with CS 17 wheel <2.00 g/m2 per 24 hrs <5.6 X 10-5/F following 7 days of immersion of at least 72
<0.19 metric perms 1000 psi
Containment No less than 300 psi with 1,000 gm cure per section 7.3 hours
and 100% substrate load for 1000 of ASTM C413
failure for Severe cycles
Service

(1)
Disregard results of an adhesion test pull that causes 100 percent substrate failure prior to achieving minimum required psi for the service condition (see Section 4.2).
SSPC-Paint 44

Editoral Revision October 3, 2013

August 1, 2013

(2)
Values of water vapor transmission rate and water vapor permeance can be used in the relative rating of coatings only if the coatings are tested under the same closely controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity and if their thicknesses are equal.
(3)
Water Vapor Permeance is calculated from a formula that is provided in ASTM D1653. ASTM E96 also provides a formula for calculating Water Vapor Permeance.
(3)
See ASTM E96 for guidance on coating thickness.
(5)
The chemical solution concentrations are made by volume.