SSPC QP 1

1. Scope

1.1 This procedure describes a method for evaluating the primary qualifications of industrial/marine painting contractors and defines a minimum standard for qualification.

1.2 The purpose of this procedure is to determine whether a contractor:

1. Has a corporate organization that clearly defines the authority and responsibilities of positions typically required for operation of an industrial/ marine coating contracting firm;
2. Employs qualified management and utilizes qualified craft personnel and other workers;
3. Has established and implemented a quality management system meeting the requirements of Sections 4.3 and 4.3.3;
4. Has established and implemented a written worker safety and health program meeting requirements of Sections 4.4 and 4.4.1 and any project-specific requirements;
5. Has established and implemented environmental protection procedures meeting requirements of Section 4.4.2 and any project-specific requirements;
6. Demonstrates knowledge of industry technical standards and good painting practice.

1.3 This procedure encompasses the field application of protective coatings for corrosion control in the industrial, marine, highway, municipal, military and other sectors where steel structures and other metal components are protected. Specialty applications, such as thermal spray metallizing, coating and surfacing of concrete, bituminous products, galvanizing, and handling, managing and containing of hazardous materials and debris are not covered by the requirements of this procedure. SSPC has developed additional contractor qualification procedures to evaluate firms who perform thermal spray metallizing (QP 6), install polymer coatings and surfacings over concrete (QP 8) and who perform hazardous paint removal, such as deleading of industrial structures prior to protective coating application (QP 2).

1.4 This procedure encompasses surface preparation and coating application and related operations conducted on steel or other metal structures in the field, or maintenance coating of structural steel or other metal components in laydown areas. AISC 420-10/SSPC-QP 3 "Certification Standard for Shop Application of Complex Protective Coating Systems," covers coating operations on newly fabricated steel performed exclusively at a fixed shop facility. See Section 6 of this procedure.