BCSA starts courses for Responsible Painting Coordinators

Following the publication in January of the 7th edition of the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS), the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) has begun a series of courses for steelwork contractors on how to specify, apply and inspect paint systems.

One of the significant changes to the latest NSSS is an improved and enhanced Section 10 for the specification of both corrosion and fire protection treatments.

“During the development of Section 10, it was recognised that steelwork contractors would benefit from additional training and consequently we held our first Responsible Painting Coordinators (RPC) course on 19th October,” said BCSA CEO David Moore.

The key topics covered in the course were: basic corrosion – an understanding; environmental testing and the use of instruments; surface preparation and surface profile measurement along with the use of test methods; coating fundamentals and calculating paint consumption; intumescent fundamentals and the legal obligations; application methods – airless spray; wet and dry film measurement and the use of instruments; specification essentials; and safety, health and the environment.

Essential European Standards were explained and a comprehensive technical manual of course content and lectures were provided to the first cohort of course students (pictured).

There were also written and practical exams at the end of the course, which were accredited and certified by the BCSA.

Further RPC training courses are planned for November and in 2022.