As of 2010, Ecospeed is a pre-qualified coating system in accordance with NORSOK standard M-501, Rev.5, June 2004.
The NORSOK standards are a series of standards relevant to offshore installations developed by Norwegian petroleum industry. NORSOK M-501 specifically deals with anticorrosive coating systems and the processes related to their application. It covers the selection of coating materials and defines the requirements of surface preparation, application procedures and inspection for protective coatings to be applied during the construction and installation of offshore structures and associated facilities.
NORSOK M-501 identifies coating systems for 9 main areas. For 3 areas and 1 sub-area the coating systems need to be pre-qualified. Pre-qualified coating systems have to undergo a long-term test program carried out by an independent laboratory. These tests are covered by ISO 20340 which includes chemical screening and several performance tests. For the ageing test, the fully cured coating system is scribed horizontal down to the bare metal and the system is exposed to a cyclic test with a total exposure time of 4200 hours. The seawater immersion test assesses panels with a scratched coating system after 4200 hours of exposure in synthetic seawater at 40°C. The cathodic disbonding test measures the maximum disbanding after 6 months exposure time.
The complete test program typically takes about 9 months and only the best coating systems manage to pass through.
The standard also stipulates that all personnel involved in the application and inspections have to prove their qualification. Painters shall present craft certificates or pass tests on-site, whereas paint inspectors must be certified according to FROSIO or NACE.
NORSOK M-501 has become a universally recognized standard that meets the most stringent requirements for corrosion protection. The standard is relevant for offshore use or other specific areas where pre-qualification is required. A pre-qualified coating system assures customers of longterm reliable protection.