Bresle Test

[sjuju]

Hello All,

I am responsible for painting inspection in a tank farm upgrade project and I could use your help. Our tanks are old and after repairs are done, washing with fresh water is to be done, then sandblasting and painting with a system suitable for marine environment, that is also resistant to various chemicals. I have requested for a bresle test to be done prior to sandblasting (after water washing) and the subcontractor insists that he will do it after sandblasting. This does not seem logical to me, the contamination (if present) will not be cleaned with sandblasting but will be forever in the lodged in the material with sandblasting.
If you have any similar experience I could really appreciate your feedback!
Thanks!
sjuju

 

[TomDOT]

Is the timing of the salt test already in the contract documents?

What is your pass/fail criteria on the salt testing? You almost always have some salt - the question is what the acceptable level is.

 

[sjuju]

In the project spec mentions that the salt testing shall take place prior to abrasive blasting of hand took surface prep. As far as the acceptable limit goes, there is no specific figure, it mentions only :
"any salts discovered shall be removed by washing, the surface retested and the process repeated until no salts remain to the satisfaction of the main contractor."

There are however many acceptable limits depending on the sandard and this is also another proint that we have to agree upon.

 

[TomDOT]

Check the limits on the paint system you are using for salt levels.

So, if the spec says to take salt measurements before abrasive blasting, take salt measurements before abrasive blasting. To wait until after abrasive blasting is noncompliant.