SIOUX FALLS – Jim Mclaughlin, Quality Assurance and Safety Inspector at Maguire Iron has achieved his Level 1 Basic Coatings Inspector Certification from The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP, formerly NACE and SSPC).
For over 30 years, the NACE and SSPC coating inspection certifications have set the global standard for inspectors in the protective coatings industry. Organizations recognize and specify the NACE Coating Inspector Certification Program (CIP) and SSPC Protective Coatings Inspector (PCI) programs due to their comprehensive, hands-on practical testing methods which validate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience and elevate the skills of those in the industry. The new AMPP Coatings Inspector Program is equivalent to these existing credentials and will eventually replace them as the specified standard for coatings inspection in the industry.
“Jim is a valuable asset for the Maguire Companies,” said Troy Werdel, Senior Vice President of Iron Operations. “He came to us with a lot of experience in the water storage tank field. Jim has been with us since 2017; he started as a foreman running his paint crew then transitioned into quality control and safety. He is well respected by our crews and is called upon a lot with questions. This certification is another tool that Jim added to his belt!”
The level 1 course covers the technical and practical fundamentals of coating inspection work. Students will be prepared to perform basic coating inspections using non-destructive techniques and instrumentation.
Classroom instruction is comprised of lectures, group exercises, case studies, and hands-on practical labs. Students will also participate in real-life inspection projects that are designed to apply course concepts to the job site by focusing on inspection procedures and proper instrument use, situation problem solving, inaccurate specifications, and strengthening the relationship between the inspector and other team members.
The objectives of the course are:
- Recognize how corrosion forms and the role protective coatings play in preventing corrosion
- Describe the role of the inspector as it applies to responsibilities, authority, safety, ethics, communication, and decision-making
- Differentiate surface preparation equipment, methods, and standards for solvent cleaning, hand/power tool cleaning, wet/dry abrasive blasting, and water jetting
- Identify quality control issues, recognizing design and fabrication defects and coating failure modes
- Compare and contrast different generic coating types, modes of protection, and curing mechanisms
- Differentiate coating application by type, including brush, roller, airless, conventional, and plural component spray
- Utilize job specifications, safety/product datasheets, and a variety of inspection report documentation including NCRs, daily reports, and inspection test plans
- Perform non-destructive inspection procedures for environmental conditions, visible/nonvisible contaminants, surface profile, film thickness, and holiday detection under the supervision of a qualified inspector
- Comply with the AMPP Coating Inspector Code of Conduct
- Describe maintenance coating operations, as well as health and safety concerns in relation to the inspector’s work conditions
For more information on The Association for Materials Protection and Performance, visit https://www.ampp.org/