SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
GUIDE 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 vola-
tile 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 jurisdic-
tion, determining 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 Require-
ments (Section 6): This section establishes the require-
ments for qualifying and selecting coatings to meet VOC
requirements. Requirements include coating performance
properties, application 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 sec-
tion gives guidance on assembling the specification. Key
components include performance and application require-
ments, 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
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air quality contacts.
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 [Sep-
tember, 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 evapo-
rates from a paint or coating film under specific test condi-
tions 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 Ref-
erence Method 24 - Volatile Organic Compound (VOC):
Any organic compound which participates in atmospheric
photochemical reactions is a VOC; that is, any organic
compound other than those which the administrator desig-
nates as having negligible photochemical reactivity (known
as “exempt solvents;” see Note 9.2). VOCs may be mea-
sured 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.)
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 concentration 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
Reasonable Available Control Technology (RACT) for ma-
jor sources of volatile organic compounds.
2.3.5 State Implementation Plans (SIP): EPA-ap-
proved state plans for the establishment, regulation, and
enforcement of air pollution standards.
2.3.6 Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): A compila-
tion of information required under the OSHA Hazard Com-
munication Standard on the identity of hazardous chemi-
cals, health and physical hazards, exposure limits, and
precautions. Section 311 of SARA requires facilities to
submit an MSDS under certain circumstances.
3. References
3.1 The standards and statutes referenced in this guide
are listed in Sections 3.3 through 3.6.
3.2 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the
reference standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid
shall govern unless otherwise specified.
3.3 SSPC STANDARDS:
Guide 9 Guide for Atmospheric Testing of
Coatings in the Field
3.4 AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING & MATERI-
ALS (ASTM) STANDARDS:
D 610 Standard Method for Evaluating Degree
of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
D 1640 Standard Test Method for Drying Times
of Organic Coatings at Room Tempera-
ture
D 3960-89 Standard Practice for Determining Vola-
tile Organic Content of Paints and Re-
lated Coatings.
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August 1, 1994
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
3.5 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 Sol-
ids of Surface Coatings
3.6 ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES:
Clean Air Act, 1970
Clean Air Act Amendments, 1977 and 1990
Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act
(SARA), 1986
4. Understanding VOC Regulations
4.1 REGULATING VOCS
4.1.1 Basis of Regulation: EPA and other environ-
mental 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 Amend-
ments 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 devel-
oping regulations to control the production of ozone produc-
ing VOCs.
4.1.2 How VOCS Are Regulated
a. VOC Content: The most common method for regu-
lating 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 neces-
sary 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 en-
courage 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.
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Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
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 mis-
cellaneous 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 repre-
sent “Reasonably Available Control Technology.” Publica-
tion of a CTG triggers a requirement that the states develop
a state rule for major industries of the type for which the
CTG was written. In many cases, states promulgated the
recommendation in the CTG. In other cases, states devel-
oped 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 compli-
ance. 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 develop their own approaches to controlling
VOCs from different surface coating operations. Many
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states have designated air quality districts based on geo-
graphical factors or population distributions. Thus, areas
with higher potential for air pollution will tend to have stricter
regulations regarding VOCs and other ozone-producing
activities. For example, California has established approxi-
mately 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 emis-
sions) 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:
4.3.1. Miscellaneous Metal Parts and Products: This
category includes coatings applied to various factory fin-
ished metals, including fabricated metal structures. Typical
applications include shop-applied primers for bridges, wa-
ter 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 designated as exceeding the national ambient air
quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone. Coatings are classi-
fied 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
Architectural Coatings, is a broad category encompassing
most field-applied coatings for residential, commercial, or
industrial applications. It also includes pavement marking
coatings. Because of this diversity, it is useful to subdivide

this category as follows:
a. Architectural Coatings: These are coatings ap-
plied to exteriors and interiors of residential and commer-
cial structures, 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 chemi-
cals 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 APPLICA-
TION: Identify the location or locations where paint will be
applied, as 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 JURISDIC-
TION: For each location where paint will be applied, deter-
mine 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 up-
dated 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
specific 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 DE-
TERMINING VOCS: After identifying the VOC compliance
requirements outlined in Sec. 5.4, determine if the regula-
tory agency has referenced a specified method for testing.
If so, that method shall be used. If no test method is
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SSPC-Guide 10
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Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
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.
Measurements 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 re-
quirements, 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 coat-
ings 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 per-
missible.
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 specification. For each one selected, follow the
guidelines in the appropriate sections that follow.
• Laboratory and short-term field performance (Sec-
tion 6.3).
• Application properties (Section 6.4).
• Case histories (Section 6.5).
• Availability and quality of supplier service (Sec-
tion 6.6).
If a formal numerical evaluation will be conducted,
identify 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:
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• 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
resistance, and flexibility.
• Chemical Tests: Coating specimens are immersed
in chemical solutions or the chemicals are applied
to small spots on the coating to determine resis-
tance.
• Short-Term Test Fence Exposures: Coating sys-
tems 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), num-
ber of test specimens, method of preparation and applica-
tion, 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 coat-
ings based on their past performance or their common
acceptance as industry standards. These may not neces-
sarily 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 informa-
tion should be furnished:
• Maximum VOC content acceptable.
• Service environments.
• Types of generic coating systems currently used in
these environments. Note: It is often advanta-
geous to give the supplier the choice of a generic
system. Conventional systems formulated at high
VOC levels may not be available 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 restric-
tions, drying, curing or other application require
ments).
• Quantity required and date of delivery.
Supplier should be required to furnish current Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Technical Data Sheets, and
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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 rat-
ing or ranking and whether the coatings have met the
designated performance criteria.
6.4 DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION PROP-
ERTIES
6.4.1 Identify Specific Requirements for Coating
Application Properties: Coatings to be applied to struc-
tures (particularly field applications) must be capable of
being applied under the various weather and other condi-
tions that may occur. Coating application tests that can be
incorporated into a program include:
• Application by various types of equipment, includ-
ing 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 manu-
facturer. 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 applied in conditions of moderate wind (up to
10 mph [16 km/hr]) and at the extremes of humidity
and temperature limitations imposed by the manu-
facturer (50 to 90˚F [10 to 31˚C] and up to 85%
relative humidity).
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 independent laboratory.
• Select application equipment which will be compa-
rable 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 dura-
tion 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 informa-
tion 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 aggres-
sive conditions.
• Condition of structure prior to coating application
(the amount of rust, deteriorated paint, pitting, or
other conditions 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, un-
dercutting) as well as the specific standards uti-
lized (e.g., ASTM D 610/SSPC-VIS 2).
• Name and phone number of the facility owner’s
representative and the painting contractor or ap-
plicator.
6.5.3 Evaluate Case History
• The duration of exposure should be rated as fol-
lows:
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 documenta-
tion as follows: Inadequate, Adequate, Superior.
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• Determine the similarity of the case history to the
proposed application as follows: Inadequate,
Adequate, Superior.
• Provide an overall case history rating as Inad-
equate, Adequate, or Superior.
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 reputable 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: Inad-
equate, Adequate, Superior.
Specific information sought is as follows:
• Accuracy, clarity and completeness of technical
and application data sheets and MSDS.
• Promptness and quality of response to requests
for information.
• Presence and availability of technical or sales
representative 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 Ad-
equate.
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 accept-
able set of coating materials for inclusion in the specifica-
tion.
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7. Prepare Specification for VOC-Compliant
Coatings
Specifications must be written for coatings or coating
systems 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.
7.1 PERFORMANCE AND APPLICATION REQUIRE-
MENTS: Incorporate the criteria for the performance and
application 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
requirements of Section 6.6 into this portion of the specifi-
cation if the facility owner intends to evaluate suppliers.
7.3 VOC CLASSIFICATION: Incorporate in the speci-
fication the VOC class or other VOC requirements for the
jurisdiction. 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, den-
sity, 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
While every precaution is taken to ensure that all
information furnished in SSPC specifications is as accu-
rate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot as-
sume responsibility nor incur any obligation resulting from
the use of any materials, paints or methods specified
therein, or of the specification itself.
9. Notes
9.1 EPA has traditionally expressed limitations on
allowable 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
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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 instruc-
tions 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 possibility
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 determin-
ing compliance 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 chloropentafluoro-
ethane (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
applied 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-perfor-
mance architectural coatings” is defined, which includes
commercial structures intended to give long-term protec-
tion in normal or aggressive environments.
9.3. TRANSFER EFFICIENCY
Transfer efficiency (defined in Section 2.3.2) is a mea-
sure of the proportion of the mass or volume of coating
solids adhering to an object.
Transfer Efficiency (%) = Mass of solid coating on item x 100
Mass of solid coating consumed
OR
Transfer Efficiency (%) =
Volume of solid coating on item x 100
Volume of solid coating consumed
Factors that most affect paint transfer efficiency are:
• Item size and shape
• Type of application equipment
 SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
• Distance of spray gun from item
• Spray gun pressure APPENDIX A. STATE CONTACTS FOR AIR
• Wind speed and direction QUALITY CONTROL REGULATIONS

The smaller and more complex the item, the lower the Alabama
transfer efficiency. The greater the distance of spray gun Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management
from item and the greater the atomizing pressures, usually 1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive
the lower the transfer efficiency. The relative order of Montgomery, AL 36130
transfer efficiencies of different types of application equip- 205-271 -7861
ment, from high to low, is:
Alaska
• Manual (brush or roller) Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation
• Electrostatic spray 410 Willoughby Ave., Room 105
• High-volume, low-pressure spray Juneau, AK 99801-1795
• Air-assisted airless spray 907-465-5100
• Airless spray
• Conventional air spray Arizona
Office of Air Quality
9.4 The following definition of Industrial Maintenance Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality
Coatings has been prepared by ARB-CAPCAA, California P.O. Box 600
Air Resources Board. Phoenix, AZ 85001-0600
Industrial Maintenance Coatings: High-performance 602-207-2308
architectural coatings formulated for and applied to sub-
strates that are exposed to one or more of the following Arkansas
extreme environmental conditions: Arkansas Dept. of Pollution Control and Ecology
8001 National Drive
a. Immersion in water, wastewater, or chemical solu- Little Rock, AR 72209
tions (aqueous and non-aqueous solutions), or chronic 501-562-7444
exposure of interior surfaces to moisture condensation.
b. Acute or chronic exposure to corrosive, caustic, or California
acidic agents, or to chemicals, chemical fumes, chemical California Air Resources Board
mixtures, solutions, or salt spray. 2020 “L” Street
c. Repeated exposure to temperatures in excess of Sacramento, CA 95814
200˚F. 916-322-2990
d. Repeated heavy abrasion, including mechanical
wear and repeated scrubbing with industrial solvents, cleans- Colorado
ers, or scouring agents. Colorado Dept. of Health. Air Pollution Control Division
e. Exterior exposure of metal surfaces. 4300 Cherry Creek Drive
Denver, CO 80220-1530
9.5 The methods in 3.4 and 3.5 may not be applicable 303-692-3100
for testing for VOCs in all jurisdictions. It will be necessary
for the specifier, end user, or others to verify whether these Connecticut
methods are applicable in the area that the coating is to be Air Management Bureau
used. Other methods are described in more detail in “VOC 79 Elm Street
Test Methods for Surface Coatings,” by Christine Stanley Hartford, CT 06106-5127
(Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings, Vol. 7, No. 7, 203-566-2690
July 1990, pp. 20-24).
Delaware
9.5.1 Bay Area Air Quality Management District Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
(BAAQMD) Method 21 and 22 (water based and solvent Control
based coatings). Division of Air and Waste Management
89 Kings Highway
9.5.2 South Coast Air Quality Management District P.O. Box 1401
(SCAQMD), Rule 107. Dover, DE 19903
302-739-4764
9.6 The MSDS is required under OSHA Hazard Com-
munications Standard 29 CFR 1926.59.
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 SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
District of Columbia Iowa
Air Resources Management Division Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
2100 Martin Luther King Ave., SE Henry A. Wallace Bldg.
Washington, DC 20020 Des Moines, IA 50319
202-404-1180 515-281-5145

Florida Kansas
Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection Bureau of Air and Radiation
2600 Blair Stone Road Forbes Field, Building 740
Twin Towers Office Building Topeka, KS 66620
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 913-296-1593
904-488-0114
Kentucky
Georgia Division for Air Quality
Georgia Air Protection Branch Dept. for Environmental Protection
4244 International Parkway 316 St. Clair Mall
Suite 120 Frankfort, KY 40601
Atlanta, GA 30354 502-564-3382
404-363-7000
Louisiana
Guam Dept. of Environmental Quality
Guam Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection
IT&E Harmon Plaza 7290 Bluebonnet
Complex Unit D-107 Baton Rouge, LA 70810
130 Rojas Street 504-765-0219
Harmon, Guam 96911
671-646-8863 Maine
Bureau of Air Quality Control
Hawaii Dept. of Environmental Protection
Clean Air Branch State House, Station 17
P.O. Box 3378 Augusta, ME 04333
Honolulu, Hl 96801 207-289-2437
808-5864200
Maryland
Idaho Air & Radiation Management Admin.
Idaho Dept. of Health And Welfare 2500 Broening Highway
Division of Environmental Quality Baltimore, MD 21224
1410 N. Hilton Street 410-631-3255
Boise, ID 83706
208-334-0502 Massachusetts
Division of Air Quality Control
Illinois One Winter Street
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Boston, MA 02108
Division of Air Pollution Control 617-292-5593
2200 Churchill Road
P.O. Box 19276 Michigan
Springfield, IL 62794-9276 Air Quality Division
217-782-7326 Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 30028
Indiana Lansing, Ml 48909
Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management 517-373-7023
100 North Senate Ave.
ICON, 10th Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015
317-232-3210

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 SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
Minnesota 401 East State Street, CN027
Air Pollution Control Trenton, NJ 08625
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 609-292-6704
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155 New Mexico
612-296-7331 Environment Dept.
Air Quality Bureau
Mississippi 1190 St. Francis Drive
Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality Santa Fe, NM 87502
2380 Highway 80 West 505-827-2850
Jackson, MS 39204
601-961-5171 New York
New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Missouri Division of Air Resources
Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources 50 Wolf Road
Air Pollution Control Program Albany, NY 12223-3250
205 Jefferson 518-457-7230
Jefferson City, MO 65102
314-751-4817 North Carolina
Division of Environmental Management
Montana P.O. Box 29535
Montana State Dept. of Health and Environmental Raleigh, NC 27626-0535
Sciences 919-733-3340
Air Quality Bureau
P.O. Box 200901 North Dakota
Helena, MT 59620-0901 North Dakota State Dept. of Health
406-444-3454 1200 Missouri Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58502-5520
Nebraska 701-221-5188
Air Quality Program
Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Quality Ohio
1200 N Street, Suite 400 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 98922 1800 WaterMark Drive
Lincoln, NE 68509 Columbus, OH 43266-0149
402-471-2189 614-644-2270

Nevada Oklahoma
Bureau of Air Quality Division of Environmental Protec- Oklahoma Dept. of Environmental Quality
tion Air Quality Division
333 West Nye Lane 4545 N. Lincoln, Ste. 250
Carson City, NV 89710 Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3483
702-687-4670 405-271-7508

New Hampshire Oregon

Dept. of Environmental Services Air Quality Division
Air Resources Division Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality
64 N. Main St. 811 SW 6th Ave.
Caller Box 2033 11th Floor
Concord, NH 03302-2033 Portland, OR 97204
603-271-1370 503-229-5359

New Jersey Pennsylvania

New Jersey State Dept. of Environmental Protection Dept. of Environmental Resources
and Energy Bureau of Air Quality Control
Air Pollution Control Program 400 Market Street

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 SSPC-Guide 10
August 1, 1994
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000
P.O. Box 8468 Vermont
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8468 Air Pollution Control Division
717-787-9702 Agency of Natural Resources
103 S. Main Street
Puerto Rico Waterbury, VT 05671-0402
Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board 802-244-8731
Ponce de Leon Ave., #431
Puerto Rico, 00906 Virgin Islands
809-767-8071 Dept. of Planning & Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Protection
Rhode Island Water Gut Homes
Rhode Island Division of Air and Hazardous Materials 1118 C'stead Stx.
291 Promenade Street U.S. Vl, 00820-5065
Providence, Rl 02908-5767 809-773-0565
401-277-2808
Virginia
South Carolina Dept. of Air Pollution Control
South Carolina Dept. of Health and Environmental P.O. Box 10089
Control Richmond, VA 23240
Bureau of Air Quality 804-786-2378
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201 Washington
803-734-4750 Washington State Dept. of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
South Dakota Olympia. WA 98504-7600
Dept. of Environmental and Natural Resources 206-459-6256
Division of Environmental Regulation
523 E. Capitol Ave. West Virginia
Pierre, SD 57501 West Virginia Air Pollution Control Commission
605-773-3351 1558 Washington Street, East
Charleston, WV 25311
Tennessee 304-348-4022
Tennessee Division of Air Pollution Control
Customs House Wisconsin
401 Church St., 9th Floor Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
L&C Annex Bureau of Air Management
Nashville, TN 37243-1531 Box 7921
615-532-0554 Madison. Wl 53707
608-266-7718
Texas
Texas Air Control Board Wyoming
6330 Highway 290 East Air Quality Division
Austin, TX 78723 Dept. of Environmental Quality
512-451-5711 122 W. 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Utah 307-777-7391
Division of Air Quality
State of Utah
Dept. of Environmental Quality
150 North 1950 West
P.O. Box 144820
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4820
801-536-4000

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