scope:

1.1 This International Standard deals with the performance requirements for the protection, by protective paint
systems, for both new construction and maintenance of offshore and related structures exposed to the offshore
environment, as well as those immersed in sea or brackish water. Such structures are exposed to environments of
corrosivity category C5-M and immersion category Im2 as defined in ISO 12944-2:1998, with special stresses as
given in subclause 4.3 and Annex B of ISO 12944-2:1998. ISO 20340 can also be used for other structures,
provided that the selected paints or protective paint systems comply with this International Standard.
This International Standard places emphasis on high-durability paint systems, with the aim of minimizing
maintenance, and hence reducing safety considerations and environmental impact. It specifies additional test
requirements over and above those specified for corrosivity category C5-M in ISO 12944-6. Hence, any system
fulfilling the requirements for C5-M High durability in ISO12944-6 will not necessary fulfil the requirements of this
standard, and thus will need further testing to do so.
The temperature range applicable for these paint systems is normally between -20°C and +80°C, and the
performance testing is aimed at verifying suitability of the coating systems for this temperature range. The use of
paint systems outside of this temperature range shall be subject to agreement by end user. Such agreement might
include testing at applicable temperatures.
The paint systems for submerged service (Im2) are aimed at ambient operating temperatures and maximum 50°C.
For higher operating temperatures, a specific evaluation and performance documentation is needed. The selection
of performance requirements must be considered in conjunction with the cathodic protection design parameters.
1.2 This International Standard includes:
- the test methods to be used to determine the composition of the separate components of the protective paint
system;
- the laboratory performance test methods for the assessment of the likely durability of the protective paint
system;
- the criteria to be used to evaluate the results of performance tests.
For reference purposes, examples of protective paint systems which have been used successfully offshore are
included in Table 3.