SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
TECHNOLOGY guide No. 10
Guide to Specifying Coatings Conforming to
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content Requirements
1. Scope
1.1 This guide describes procedures for preparing a
specification for protective coatings conforming with volatile
organic compound (VOC) content requirements.
1.2 Procedures cover determining VOC content, com-
pliance requirements, qualifying, selecting, and evaluating
performance of coatings, and assembling the specification.
1.3 This guide is intended to be used by specifiers, end
users, and others who are required to select, test, or specify
coatings to meet VOC regulations.
2. Description and Definitions
2.1 This guide describes the major steps needed to prepare
a specification to comply with VOC regulations.
2.1.1 Understanding VOC Regulations (Section 4): This
section describes the basis of regulations and how VOCs are
regulated. The types of regulations and the various coating
categories are outlined.
2.1.2 Determining VOC Requirements (Section 5):
Specific procedures include determining location of the coating
application, identifying the agency having jurisdiction, determin-
ing the category of coating, determining the VOC level that
must be met, and selecting the test method for determining
VOC content.
2.1.3 Selecting Coatings to Meet VOC Requirements
(Section 6): This section establishes the requirements for
qualifying and selecting coatings to meet VOC requirements.
Requirements include coating performance properties, applica-
tion properties, field case histories, and supplier service. For
each set of requirements the guide describes approaches for
developing specific criteria and rating schemes.
2.1.4 Preparing Specifications (Section 7): This section
gives guidance on assembling the specification. Key com-
ponents include performance and application requirements,
supplier qualification, VOC classification, thinning, and quality
control provisions.
2.1.5 State Contacts for Air Quality Control Regula-
tions (Appendix A): Information is also provided on state air
quality contacts.
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2.2 VOC LEVELS: Coatings are typically regulated by
establishing limits on the VOC content of the coating at the
time of application after addition of any thinners. (See Note
9.1)
This guide identifies six possible levels of VOC content
which might be adopted for various coating categories:
• VOC Level 1 - less than or equal to 60 9/L (0.5 Ibs/
gal)
• VOC Level 2 - less than or equal to
120 g/liter (1.0 Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 3 - less than or equal to 250 g/liter (2.1
Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 4 - less than or equal to 340 g/liter (2.8
Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 5 - less than or equal to 420 g/liter (3.5
Ibs/ gal)
• VOC Level 6 - unrestricted VOC content
(Editor's Note: As of the Eighth Edition of Volume 2 [September,
2000], these categories are no longer used in SSPC standards
for paints and painting systems.)
2.3 DEFINITIONS
2.3.1 Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
2.3.1.1 ASTM D 3960: Volatile Organic Compound
(VOC): In coatings, any compound of carbon that evaporates
from a paint or coating film under specific test conditions is a
VOC. It thus does not include water and exempt solvents that
are volatile. VOC may be determined at a specified temperature
for a specified baking or air dry time and at a controlled film
thickness.
2.3.1.2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Refer-
ence Method 24 - Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): Any
organic compound which participates in atmospheric photo-
chemical reactions is a VOC; that is, any organic compound
other than those which the administrator designates as having
negligible photochemical reactivity (known as “exempt sol-
vents;” see Note 9.2). VOCs may be measured by a reference
method, an equivalent method, an alternative method or by
procedures specified under any subpart.
2.3.2 Transfer Efficiency: The ratio of the mass or volume
of coatings solids adhering to an object to the total mass or
volume, respectively, of coating solids used in the application
process, expressed as a percentage (see Note 9.3).
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2.3.3 Attainment Area: An area considered to have air
quality as good as or better than the national ambient air quality
standards as defined in the Clean Air Act. An area may be an
attainment area for one pollutant and a non- attainment area for
others. For ozone, attainment requires that the ozone concen-
tration not exceed 0.12 ppm (as a one-hour weighted average)
more than once a year for three consecutive years.
2.3.4 Control Technique Guidelines (CTG): A series of
EPA documents designed to assist states in defining Reason-
able Available Control Technology (RACT) for major sources
of volatile organic compounds.
2.3.5 State Implementation Plans (SIP): EPA-approved
state plans for the establishment, regulation, and enforcement
of air pollution standards.
2.3.6 Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): A compilation
of information required under the OSHA Hazard Communica-
tion Standard on the identity of hazardous chemicals, health
and physical hazards, exposure limits, and precautions. Sec-
tion 311 of SARA requires facilities to submit an MSDS under
certain circumstances.
3. Referenced Standards
3.1 SSPC STANDARDS:
Guide 9 Guide for Atmospheric Testing of Coatings
in the Field
3.2 ASTM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:
D 610 Standard Method for Evaluating Degree of
Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
D 1640 Test Methods for Drying, Curing, or Film
Formation of Organic Coatings at Room
Temperature
D 3960 Practice for Determining Volatile Organic
Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and
Related Coatings.
3.3 U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
METHOD:
40 CFR Ch. 1, Part 60, Appendix A, Method 24
Determination of Volatile Matter Content, Water
Content, Density, Volume Solids and Weight Solids
of Surface Coatings
3.4 ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES:
Clean Air Act 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments, 1977 and 1990
Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act
(SARA), 1986
2
4. Understanding VOC Regulations
4.1 REGULATING VOCS
4.1.1 Basis of Regulation: EPA and other environmental
agencies regulate the VOC emission of coatings because
VOCs are a precursor to ozone (a component of smog, the
adverse effects of which have been extensively demonstrated).
EPA was authorized by Congress through the Clean Air Act of
1970 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 and 1990 to
coordinate and guide the state efforts to assure that all citizens
have air of acceptable quality. To that end Federal and State
agencies are developing regulations to control the production
of ozone producing VOCs.
4.1.2 How VOCS Are Regulated
a. VOC Content: The most common method for regulat-
ing VOCs is by the mass of VOC emitted per volume of liquid
coating less water and exempt solvents (see 2.3.1.2 and Note
9.2). Typical units are grams of VOC per liter (g/L) of coating or
pounds of VOC per gallon of coating (Ib/gal) (see Note 9.2.1).
As described in Section 2.3.1, it is necessary to subtract the
volume of water or of exempt solvents from the overall coating
volume before computing VOC content. (Note: The “less water
and exempt solvent” phrase has been omitted hereafter, but it
should be understood to be an integral part of all subsequent
quantitative terms.)
Commonly specified VOC levels are 420 g/L (3.5 Ib/gal),
340 g/L (2.8 Ib/gal), and 250 g/L (2.1 Ib/gal). These are defined
as SSPC VOC Levels 5, 4, and 3, respectively. Other levels
established by SSPC include: Level 1 - less than or equal to
60 g/L (0.5 Ib/gal), Level 2 - less than or equal to 120 g/L (1.0
Ibs/gal), and Level 6 - unrestricted VOC content. These levels
have been established to encourage uniformity throughout
the industry in regulation of VOCs and product development
efforts. Other levels (such as 350 g/L [2.92 Ibs/gal] or 380
g/L [3.17 Ibs/gal]) have also been used by various regulatory
agencies.
b. Total VOCs Emitted: Some agencies set limits on the
total weight of VOCs that can be emitted from a plant or facility
in a day or year (kilograms or pounds). This type of rule has
been applied for regulating VOC content for miscellaneous
metal parts. (See 4.3.1.)
c. Transfer Efficiency: Transfer efficiency is defined in
Section 2.3.2 (see also Note 9.3). A few agencies have imposed
a minimum transfer efficiency (e.g., 65%) for the application
of a coating to a substrate. Any reduction in the amount of
coating wasted will of necessity reduce the amount of VOC
emitted into the atmosphere. There is no direct correlation
between transfer efficiency and VOC content of coatings, as a
high VOC coating can be applied with high transfer efficiency
or low transfer efficiency.

4.2 TYPES OF REGULATIONS
4.2.1 EPA Control Technique Guidelines: Control
Technique Guidelines (CTGs) are documents prepared by
EPA which establish the level of control deemed to represent
“Reasonably Available Control Technology.” Publication of a
CTG triggers a requirement that the states develop a state rule
for major industries of the type for which the CTG was writ-
ten. In many cases, states promulgated the recommendation
in the CTG. In other cases, states developed different rules.
Typically, a state is required to develop a State Implementation
Plan (SIP) describing the methods to achieve the guidelines
and the means to verify compliance. Another important feature
of a CTG is that it is only applicable to those areas which are
designated by EPA as non-attainment for ozone. The definition
of attainment for ozone is given in 2.3.3.
4.2.2 EPA National Rule: A National Rule establishes a
national requirement for controlling VOCs (i.e., by setting a
standard level of compliance for total amount of VOC emitted,
or limitations of VOC content of a coating). Unlike the CTG, a
National Rule applies to all areas of the U.S. National Rules
may be preemptive or non-preemptive. Preemptive rules
prevent any air quality district (e.g., state, county, district)
from having a rule more restrictive than the Federal rule. In
a non-preemptive rule, individual states or air quality districts
are permitted to have more stringent rules. Any local rule must
be at least as stringent as the National Rule. To date, EPA has
not issued any National Rules regarding protective coatings
for structures.
4.2.3 State and Local Regulations: Most states have
environmental agencies charged with protecting air quality.
In many cases, they issue statewide regulations to meet EPA
CTGs. However, because the CTGs do not mandate specific
VOC levels or total emissions, the states are required to de-
velop their own approaches to controlling VOCs from different
surface coating operations. Many states have designated air
quality districts based on geographical factors or population
distributions. Thus, areas with higher potential for air pollu-
tion will tend to have stricter regulations regarding VOCs and
other ozone-producing activities. For example, California has
established approximately 30 air quality districts, each of which
has authority to regulate the VOC content of coatings. Also,
most large metropolitan areas (e.g., New York area, Chicago
area) have air quality jurisdictions which may overlap cities,
counties, or states. Any facility or structure owner requiring
surface coating must be aware of the jurisdictions within which
the coating application (and hence the VOC emissions) will
occur.
4.3 COATING CATEGORIES: EPA has established a
variety of categories for coatings typically used for heavy-duty
industrial maintenance and new construction and architectural
coating applications. The principal ones are as follows:
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4.3.1. Miscellaneous Metal Parts and Products: This
category includes coatings applied to various factory finished
metals, including fabricated metal structures. Typical applica-
tions include shop-applied primers for bridges, water towers,
and other steel structures, and coatings applied in railcar
shops.
Typically, these rules are based on a CTG issued in 1978
by EPA as a guidance document for areas that have been des-
ignated as exceeding the national ambient air quality standard
(NAAQS) for ozone. Coatings are classified as follows, with
their recommended VOC limits:
• Air-dried coatings: 3.5 Ibs/gal (420 g/L) - dried by the
use of air or forced warm air at temperatures up to
194 ˚F (90 ˚C).
• Clear coatings: 4.3 Ibs/gal (520 g/L) - unpigmented
or transparent coating lacking color and opacity.
• Extreme performance coatings: 3.5 Ibs/gal (420 g/L)
- designed for harsh exposure or extreme environ-
mental conditions.
• All other coatings: 3.0 Ibs/gal (360 g/L) - any other
type of coating.
4.3.2 Marine Coatings: These are coatings applied to
ships, boats, and their appurtenances, and to buoys and oil
drilling rigs intended for the marine environment. (See Note
9.2.2.)
4.3.3 Architectural and Industrial Maintenance (AIM)
Coatings: This category, which is often referred to as Archi-
tectural Coatings, is a broad category encompassing most
field-applied coatings for residential, commercial, or industrial
applications. It also includes pavement marking coatings. Be-
cause of this diversity, it is useful to subdivide this category as
follows:
a. Architectural Coatings: These are coatings applied
to exteriors and interiors of residential and commercial struc-
tures, including houses, warehouses, commercial buildings,
stadiums, hospitals, and schools. Coatings are intended to
provide good appearance properties and to protect against
wear and weather in normal indoor and outdoor environments.
(see Note 9.2.3).
b. Industrial Maintenance: These are coatings ap-
plied to steel and concrete industrial facilities or structures.
The coatings are intended to provide long-term protection
against corrosion and weathering in exposures ranging from
mild to severe atmospheric, salt or potable water immersion,
intermittent or continual immersion in chemicals or solvents,
abrasive conditions, and extremes of pH, temperature, and
pressure. (See Section 9.4 for a definition from the California
Air Resources Board.)
5. Determining VOC Requirements
5.1. DETERMINE LOCATION OF PAINT APPLICATION:
Identify the location or locations where paint will be applied, as
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the VOC content permitted depends on the site of application.
Be sure to include both shop and field painting.
5.2 IDENTIFY THE AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION:
For each location where paint will be applied, determine the
agency which has jurisdiction over air quality regulations. The
jurisdiction may be a state, county, city, or air quality district.
A list of state air quality contacts is attached as Appendix A.
This information is regularly updated by the Air and Waste
Management Association.
5.3 DETERMINE CATEGORY OF COATING: Select the
coating category based on the descriptions in Section 4.3. If
there is some question about the classification, contact the
appropriate air quality district officials.
5.4 DETERMINE VOC LEVEL THAT MUST BE MET:
Obtain a copy of the specific regulations for the category of
coatings and for the air quality jurisdiction. Please note the
following points: estimated volume of coating to be applied,
limitations on total VOC emissions, limitations on VOCs for
coating, test methods (see also 5.5 and Note 9.5), and spe-
cific definitions regarding generic types or conditions (e.g.,
temperature or composition). Prepare a written list of all the
regulations and provisions that must be met prior to selecting
or applying a coating.
5.5 SELECTION OF THE TEST METHOD FOR DETER-
MINING VOCS: After identifying the VOC compliance require-
ments outlined in Sec. 5.4, determine if the regulatory agency
has referenced a specified method for testing. If so, that method
shall be used. If no test method is specified, EPA Method 24
shall be used. (See Note 9.5 for alternate methods.)
Although a calculation based on formulation may be used
to estimate VOC, compliance penalties will be based on VOC
as measured by the referenced analytical method. Measure-
ments and calculations should be based on the level of VOC
of the coating as applied in the field after thinning.
6. Selecting Coatings to Meet VOC Require-
ments
6.1 GENERAL APPROACH: Because many currently used
coatings do not meet current or proposed VOC requirements,
there is a need to establish a program to select coatings that
meet these requirements. A program for accomplishing this
would be similar to any other program used to select coatings
and should start with establishment of selection criteria. One
criterion would be that the coatings meet the required VOC
levels. Normally it is necessary that each coating in a coating
system (primer, intermediate, and topcoat) not exceed the
maximum VOC content permissible.
6.2 ESTABLISH SELECTION CRITERIA TO BE USED
6.2.1 Listed below are criteria that can be used to qualify
VOC-compliant coatings. Select the criteria to be used for the
4
specification. For each one selected, follow the guidelines in
the appropriate sections that follow.
• Laboratory and short-term field performance
(Section 6.3).
• Application properties (Section 6.4).
• Case histories (Section 6.5).
• Availability and quality of supplier service (Section
6.6).
If a formal numerical evaluation will be conducted, iden-
tify the relative weighting factors for the various criteria. Also
determine if the comparisons will be relative (i.e., select the
top 1, 2, or 3) or absolute (i.e., establish a level in advance
which all qualified coatings or suppliers must meet). Prepared
detailed criteria based on Sections 6.3 through 6.6.
6.3 DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE
TESTS
6.3.1 Identify Specific Laboratory Performance Tests:
The industry has developed a wide range of different types of
performance tests for protective coating systems, depending
on the intended service and other requirements and the time
and resources available to conduct the testing. Among the
most widely used performance tests are the following:
• Accelerated Laboratory Aging and Corrosion Tests: These
include humidity testing, salt fog testing, cyclic salt spray,
and immersion.
• Accelerated Weathering Testing: These include exposure
to fluorescent UV, carbon and xenon arcs, and cycling of the
exposures with humidity, condensation or water spray.
• Physical Tests: These include hardness, abrasion resis-
tance, and flexibility.
• Chemical Tests: Coating specimens are immersed in
chemical solutions or the chemicals are applied to small
spots on the coating to determine resistance.
• Short-Term Test Fence Exposures: Coating systems are
applied to metal or other panels and placed on an outdoor
rack or fence and evaluated periodically for up to one or
two years for rusting, blistering, or loss of gloss or color
(see SSPC-Guide 9).
6.3.2 Provide Details on Conducting Performance
Tests: These include the generic types of coatings to be tested,
level of VOC sought, test methods to be used (including ASTM
standard numbers where available), number of test specimens,
method of preparation and application, duration of test, and
methods of evaluating and rating specimens. Also identify the
types of control coatings. These are coatings that are to be
used as reference coatings based on their past performance
or their common acceptance as industry standards. These
may not necessarily meet the VOC requirements.
6.3.3 Determine Who Will Perform the Testing: This
may be done by facility owner/specifier, paint supplier, or
independent testing laboratory.

6.3.4 Select Candidate Coatings: Prepare a list of
required VOC-compliant coatings. The following information
should be furnished:
• Maximum VOC content acceptable.
• Service environments.
• Types of generic coating systems currently used in these
environments. Note: It is often advantageous to give the
supplier the choice of a generic system. Conventional
systems formulated at high VOC levels may not be avail-
able or may give reduced performance at reduced VOC
levels.
• Identify other restrictions or conditions (e.g., lead- and
chromate-free, limitations on blast cleaning or other
surface preparation, other material restrictions, drying,
curing or other application requirements).
• Quantity required and date of delivery.
Supplier should be required to furnish current Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Technical Data Sheets, and
application instructions for each coating furnished. (See Note
9.6.)
6.3.5 Implement Testing Program: Conduct or direct
testing in accordance with Section 6.3.1 to 6.3.4 above. If test
is to be run by a supplier, consider requiring written certification
of the test results, as well as copies of raw data.
6.3.6 Evaluate Test Results: Determine relative rating
or ranking and whether the coatings have met the designated
performance criteria.
6.4 DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION PROPERTIES
6.4.1 Identify Specific Requirements for Coating Ap-
plication Properties: Coatings to be applied to structures
(particularly field applications) must be capable of being ap-
plied under the various weather and other conditions that may
occur. Coating application tests that can be incorporated into
a program include:
• Application by various types of equipment, including
brush, roller, airless spray, air spray, or new specialized
techniques.
• Tolerance to film thickness range. One cannot assume
that in the field the coating will be applied at precisely the
DFT recommended by the manufacturer. More realistically,
lower or higher DFTs may be encountered.
• Ability to wet and penetrate different substrates and
configurations. Coatings must be able to flow out and
level under a variety of geometries and over substrates
cleaned to different degrees and contaminated with salts,
old paint, or rust.
• Tolerance to weather conditions. Coatings are often ap-
plied in conditions of moderate wind (up to10 mph [16
km/hr]) and at the extremes of humidity and temperature
limitations imposed by the manufacturer (50 to 90˚F [10
to 31˚C] and up to 85% relative humidity).
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6.4.2 Evaluate Coating Application Properties
• Determine who will perform the testing. This can be the
owner, the supplier, a painting contractor, or an indepen-
dent laboratory.
• Select application equipment which will be compa r a b l e
to that used in the production application.
• Select structural configuration. The coating sys-tem should
be applied to a minimum of 46 square feet on a structure
representative of that to be coated under the expected
application conditions (see SSPC-Guide 9). Evaluate the
application based on criteria such as absence of runs,
sags, dry spray, and voids.
• Determine time for coating to dry to touch and to dry hard
in accordance with ASTM D 1640.
• Verify that coating is properly cured based on standard
procedures.
• Determine if coating has met application criteria.
6.5 DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR CASE HISTORIES
6.5.1 Significance: Case histories can often provide
insight into the practical aspects of a coatings performance
and identify special precautions or problems that have been
encountered in production applications. The value depends
on how closely the conditions (i.e., structure and exposure)
match the intended use. Also of significance are the duration
of the case history, the validity of the ratings, and the quality
of the documentation of performance.
6.5.2 Document Case History: The following information
should be sought:
• Identification of structure, including location, owner, type,
size, and configuration.
• Exposure environment, including the presence of salts,
sulfur dioxide, or other contaminants, as well as the typical
humidity, rainfall, and other aggressive conditions.
• Condition of structure prior to coating application (the
amount of rust, deteriorated paint, pitting, or other condi-
tions prior to surface preparation as well as the degree
of cleaning that has been achieved).
• Coating system applied. Information should in-
clude the method of surface preparation, surface
profile achieved (if blast cleaned), dry film thick-ness
(including ranges and averages), and method
of application.
• Dates of application and inspection.
• Control (reference coatings) used, if any.
• Criteria for evaluating condition (e.g. rusting, undercut-
ting) as well as the specific standards utilized (e.g.,
ASTM D 610/SSPC-VIS 2).
• Name and phone number of the facility owner’s
representative and the painting contractor or applicator.
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6.5.3 Evaluate Case History
• The duration of exposure should be rated as follows:
• Inadequate - less than 18 months
• Adequate - 24 months
• Superior - greater than three to five years
• Evaluate the validity of the ratings based on the source
of the ratings and the extent of documentation as follows:
Inadequate, Adequate, Superior.
• Determine the similarity of the case history to the Specifications must be written for coatings or coating sys-
proposed application as follows: Inadequate,Adequate,
Superior.
• Provide an overall case history rating as Inadequate,
Adequate, or Superior.
• 7.1 PERFORMANCE AND APPLICATION REQUIRE-
6.6 DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR SUPPLIER SERVICE
6.6.1 Significance: Successful field application of coatings
is not achieved automatically, but rather requires cooperation
among the coating supplier, the facility owner, and the applicator.
The supplier should provide accurate information on technical
and application properties and on safety or health hazards, as
well as advice on correcting application or problems.
6.6.2 Availability of Materials: It is important that the
coating supplier be able to furnish the quantity of coating
required to the facility being coated in a timely manner. Some
coatings may be in limited production or may require shipping
from another region. These factors could affect the cost as well
as the timing of delivery.
6.6.3 Document Past Service: Identify specific jobs or
experience with the supplier. If the facility owner has not had
specific experience, it may be possible to contact other owners
in the vicinity. Other information may be obtained from repu-
table contractors who have utilized the company’s products
or services. A qualitative rating scheme may be established
for the qualifications of technical and other service provided
by the coatings supplier as follows: Inadequate, Adequate,
Superior.
Specific information sought is as follows:
• Accuracy, clarity and completeness of technical and ap-
plication data sheets and MSDS.
• Promptness and quality of response to requests for
information.
• Presence and availability of technical or sales representa-
tive at major jobs or where problems have arisen.
• Overall strength of product line, i.e., whether this company
can meet the majority of the coating materials requirements
for the various types of applications required.
• Product availability and timeliness of delivery.
• Rate each of the above items as Inadequate, Adequate,
or Superior. At a minimum, the supplier should receive an
overall rating of Adequate.
6
6.7 OVERALL RATING: Prepare a consolidated list of
the criteria and results of the evaluation for each of the criteria
selected. Rank the different coatings selected from best to
worst, and if possible, identify a minimally acceptable set of
coating materials for inclusion in the specification.
7. Prepare Specification for VOC-Compliant
Coatings
tems that meet the performance requirements of the intended
service and other criteria described in Section 6. They must
also meet the VOC requirements determined in Section 5.
MENTS: Incorporate the criteria for the performance and ap-
plication tests and case histories from Sections 6.3, 6.4, and
6.5 into this portion of the specification.
7.2 SUPPLIER QUALIFICATIONS: Incorporate the re-
quirements of Section 6.6 into this portion of the specification
if the facility owner intends to evaluate suppliers.
7.3 VOC CLASSIFICATION: Incorporate in the specifica-
tion the VOC class or other VOC requirements for the jurisdic-
tion. The VOC classes are listed in Section 2.2. Also include
the test method for measuring VOC from Section 5.5.
7.4 THINNING RESTRICTIONS: The specification should
require that the coating shall not be thinned in the field beyond
the level given in the coating supplier’s written technical data
sheets. The data sheet should indicate the VOC content of
the coating after maximum thinning.
7.5 QUALITY CONTROL PROVISION: The specifica-
tion should require that the coating supplied will have met
the requirements of Section 6. Examples of tests to verify
the composition of coatings are as follows: viscosity, density,
infrared spectrum of vehicle (binder and solvent), fineness of
dispersion, percent solids by weight or volume, and color. If
required by owner, request a letter from the supplier certifying
the above, and identify the specific test conditions.
8. Disclaimer
8.1 This guide is designed to describe, review, or analyze
new or improved technology and does not meet the definition
of a standard as defined by SSPC. A guide differs from a stan-
dard in that it is not suitable for referencing in a specification
or procurement document.
8.2 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all in-
formation furnished in SSPC guides is as accurate, complete,
and useful as possible, SSPC cannot assume responsibility
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nor incur any obligation resulting from the use of any materials, 9.3. TRANSFER EFFICIENCY
coatings, or methods described herein, or of the guide itself.
Transfer efficiency (defined in Section 2.3.2) is a measure
8.3 This guide does not attempt to address problems of the proportion of the mass or volume of coating solids adher­
concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this ing to an object.
specification, as well as the user of all products or practices
described herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate Mass of solid coating on item x 100
Transfer Efficiency (%) =
health and safety practices and for ensuring compliance with Mass of solid coating consumed
all governmental regulations.
OR

9. Notes
9.1 EPA has traditionally expressed limitations on allow-
able VOC emissions from factory­-applied coatings in terms of
the maximum “VOC content” of a coating. By expressing the
limitations in terms of the allowable VOC content of the coating,
the Agency’s intent was to spur pollution prevention efforts on
the part of paint and resin manufacturers as they attempted to
develop coatings that could comply without the need for their
customers to invest in abatement equipment. As the Agency
follows the instructions of Congress to limit emissions from
field- applied coatings, the abatement option will frequently
not be a realistic option and lower VOC coatings will be the
only practical avenue for compliance. One regulatory possibil-
ity would exclude from commerce any coating after addition
of thinners that exceeded some specific predetermined VOC
content.
9.2 A reference method, an equivalent method, or an
alternative method, however, may also measure nonreactive
organic compounds. In such cases, an owner or operator may
exclude the nonreactive compounds when determining compli-
ance with a standard. The EPA administrator has designated the
following organic compounds as negligibly reactive: methane,
ethane, 1,1,1­-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform), methylene
chloride (dichloromethane), trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11),
dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12), chlorodifluoromethane
(CFC-22), trifluoromethane (CFC-23), trichlorotrifluororethane
(CFC-113), dichloro-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114), and chloro-
pentafluoroethane (CFC-15).
9.2.1 At least one state (Texas) computes VOC on the
basis of mass (wt) of solvent per volume of solid coating ap-
plied to the surface.
9.2.2 This definition of marine coatings is derived from
Rule 1106, “Marine Coating Operations” from the South Coast
Air Quality Management District.
9.2.3 Sometimes an additional subset of “high-performance
architectural coatings” is defined, which includes commercial
structures intended to give long-term protection in normal or
aggressive environments.
Volume of solid coating on item x 100
Transfer Efficiency (%) =
Volume of solid coating consumed
Factors that most affect paint transfer efficiency are:
• Item size and shape
• Type of application equipment
• Distance of spray gun from item
• Spray gun pressure
• Wind speed and direction
The smaller and more complex the item, the lower the
transfer efficiency. The greater the distance of spray gun from
item and the greater the atomizing pressures, usually the lower
the transfer efficiency. The relative order of transfer efficiencies
of different types of application equipment, from high to low,
is:
• Manual (brush or roller)
• Electrostatic spray
• High-volume, low-pressure spray
• Air-assisted airless spray
• Airless spray
• Conventional air spray
9.4 The following definition of Industrial Maintenance
Coatings has been prepared by ARB­-CAPCAA, California Air
Resources Board.
Industrial Maintenance Coatings: High-performance ar-
chitectural coatings formulated for and applied to substrates
that are exposed to one or more of the following extreme
environmental conditions:
a. Immersion in water, wastewater, or chemical solutions
(aqueous and non-aqueous solutions), or chronic
exposure of interior surfaces to moisture condensa-
tion.
b. Acute or chronic exposure to corrosive, caustic,
or acidic agents, or to chemicals, chemical fumes,
chemical mixtures, solutions, or salt spray.
c. Repeated exposure to temperatures in excess of
200°F.
d. Repeated heavy abrasion, including mechanical
wear and repeated scrubbing with industrial solvents,
cleansers, or scouring agents.
e. Exterior exposure of metal surfaces.

7
SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

9.5 The methods in 3.4 and 3.5 may not be applicable for
testing for VOCs in all jurisdictions. It will be necessary for the
specifier, end user, or others to verify whether these methods
are applicable in the area that the coating is to be used. Other
methods are described in more detail in “VOC Test Methods for
Surface Coatings,” by Christine Stanley (Journal of Protective
Coatings and Linings, Vol. 7, No. 7, July 1990, pp. 20-24).

9.5.1 Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)

Method 21 and 22 (water based and solvent based coat-
ings).

9.5.2 South Coast Air Quality Management District

(SCAQMD), Rule 107.

9.6 The MSDS is required under OSHA Hazard Com-

munications Standard 29 CFR 1926.59.

State Contacts for Air Quality Control Regulations
are listed at:
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/state.htm