Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
Associated Items Page 1 of 9

Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz

Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Associated Items

03 1st November 2014 NH AF JA

02 4th September 2014 NH AF MN

01 11th July 2014 NH AF MN
00 28th May 2014 NH AF MN

Revision Date Issued By Reviewed By Approved By

Revision History
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
Associated Items Page 2 of 9

Rev. Ref.
Date Detailed Description of Change
No. Section
28-05-2014 00 Issued for review N/A
11-07-2014 01 Various changes throughout
04-09-2014 02 High voltage holiday detection added. 6
01-11-2014 03 Added thickness range for method selection 4
Added coating thickness check requirement to enable method selection 4
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
Associated Items Page 3 of 9

CONTENTS:
1. SCOPE 4
2. REFERENCES 4
2.1 PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 4
2.2 INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS 4
2.3 PROCEDURES 4
3. PROCEDURE 5
3.1 RESPONSIBILITIES 5
3.2 INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT ISSUE 5
3.3 FAULTY OR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT 5
4. FREQUENCY AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA 5
5. WET SPONGE TECHNIQUE (FOR COATINGS ≤500ЦM) 6
5.1 FITTING THE BATTERIES 6
5.2 SWITCHING ON AND OFF 6
5.3 SELECTING VOLTAGE 6
5.4 USING THE DETECTOR 7
5.5 CALIBRATING THE HOLIDAY DETECTOR 8
5.6 TESTING A LOCATION 8
5.7 PACKING AWAY 8
5.8 CHARGING THE BATTERIES: 8
6. HIGH-VOLTAGE SPARK TESTING (FOR COATINGS >500ЦM) 9
6.1 TESTING A LOCATION 9
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
Associated Items Page 4 of 9

1. SCOPE

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure compliance to Safety, Health and Environmental local and
International standards and to provide holiday detection techniques in accordance with COMPANY
specifications for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets and Piles.

Adherence to this procedure shall be mandatory.

2. REFERENCES

2.1 Project Specifications

Document Number Document Title

AD-CDZZZZ-MT-SPE-0006-000 General Coating Specification for Fabrication Sites

2.2 International Standards

Document Number Document Title

Discontinuity (Holiday) Testing of New Protective Coatings
NACE SP0188
on Conductive Substrates

2.3 Procedures

Document Number Document Title

Cure Check of Paints for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Associated
HRT-AZ-TPR-CUCH
Items.
Wet and Dry Film thickness Measurement Using Magnetic Gauges and
HRT-AZ-TTPR-COTH
Combs for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Associated Items.
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
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3. PROCEDURE

3.1 Responsibilities

The Deputy Site Manager is responsible for training personnel to perform holiday detection and to ensure safe
use of the holiday detection testing instrumentation.

It is the responsibility of the Paint Inspector to perform pre-use checks and safe use of the holiday detection
testing instrumentation in accordance with this procedure. Any faulty or damaged goods shall be reported to
the Site Manager immediately.

Personnel shall hold one of the following as a minimum:

 Institute of Corrosion – Painting Inspector, minimum of level 2;

 BGAS/CSWIP – Painting Inspector, minimum of level 2;
 FROSIO, minimum level 2.

3.2 Instrument/Equipment Issue

All instruments/equipment shall be held within the Hertel store and can be signed out only by trained
inspection personnel.

3.3 Faulty or Damaged Equipment

Care shall be taken to ensure that equipment is handled such, that accuracy and fitness for use is maintained.

It is the responsibility of the user of the instrument/equipment to perform pre-use checks to identify any
damage that may affect the accuracy or use and to ensure calibration status. Any damages or out-of-calibration
occurrences are to be returned / reported to the Deputy Site Manager/Paint Inspector immediately.

4. FREQUENCY AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

100% holiday detection @ 90V for coatings equal to or less than 500цm or 3000V for coatings greater than
500цm in accordance with NACE SP0188 shall be carried out on all coatings used for partial or total immersion
service. The final coatings shall be free of pores and holidays.

Prior to holiday detection, coating thickness must be verified in accordance with Procedure HRT-AZ-TTPR-COTH
to ensure correct holiday detection method is selected.

The sponge shall be moved over the surface of the coating at a moderate rate of approximately 0.3 m/s, using a
double pass over each area. Sufficient pressure shall be applied to maintain a wet surface. If a discontinuity is
detected, the sponge should be turned on end to determine the exact location of the discontinuity.

Discontinuities that require repair shall be identified with a marker that is compatible with the repair coating or
one that is easily removable.

All repairs shall be performed to relevant procedure.

To prevent telegraphing, care should be taken to ensure that the solution (tap water) is wiped dry from a
previously detected discontinuity before continuing the test.
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
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5. WET SPONGE TECHNIQUE (FOR COATINGS ≤500ЦM)

Note:
The Elcometer 270 generates a voltage that is used to test for holes in a coating applied to a metal surface.
Should a user make contact with the wand while holding the earth signal return lead, a very mild shock may
be experienced with the higher voltage settings. The current capability of the detector is low and the health
risk directly from the voltage is negligible.

Prior to holiday detection the paint film shall be fully cured in accordance with paint manufacture instructions
and verified through testing.

5.1 Fitting the Batteries

 Switch off the detector.

 Unscrew the knurled battery cover. (see Figure 1)
 Insert 3 “AA” size batteries taking care to ensure correct polarity.
 Replace knurled battery cover.

Figure 1
5.2 Switching On and Off

To switch on press and hold the detector will emit an audible signal and switch on (see Figure 2).

To switch off press and hold the detector will emit an audible signal and switch off (see Figure 2).

5.3 Selecting Voltage

To change voltage press whilst the detector is switched on, the detector will emit an audible signal and
change to the next voltage. The LED for voltage selection will illuminate below the selected voltage (see Figure
2).

Note:
When the detector is switched on, or after changing voltage, the unit will test the calibration of
the internal voltage and sensitivity setting. This test takes approximately four seconds.

During the test the voltage indicator LED flashes slowly and then quickly. At the end of the test the LED remains
permanently illuminated and the detector emits a loud double bleep to indicate a successful test.
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
Revision: 03
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE

Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
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In the unlikely event that the detector does not achieve a successful Internal calibration test, check the batteries
and replace if necessary. If fitting new batteries does not result in a successful calibration test, contact the
Deputy Site Manager/Paint Inspector immediately.

Figure 2

5.4 Using the Detector

a) Connect the signal return cable to an uncoated area of the metal substrate using the earthing clamp;
b) Moisten the sponge with clean tap water *;
c) Keep the sponge clear of the surface and switch on.
d) Wait for the double beep indicating that the internal calibration routine has been completed;
e) Select the appropriate voltage (90V).

*To maximise efficiency a surfactant such as detergent may be added to the water, this can significantly reduce the
surface tension of the water, therefore allowing the moisture to penetrate the smallest of pinholes.

Pass the wet sponge over the coated surface. If the sponge passes across a pinhole in the coating, the alarm LED
will flash and an audible alarm will sound. The alarm will stop once the sponge moves away from the pinhole.

If required, locate the pinhole more precisely by retesting the area using a corner of the sponge only.

Sponge Signal Return Lead

Figure 3
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
Associated Items Page 8 of 9

5.5 Calibrating the holiday detector

Calibration must be performed before use to verify the holiday detector is producing the correct voltage.

Set the voltage on the holiday detector to the voltage required for testing.

Turn the voltmeter on and attach earth end of the holiday detector to the earth connection on the voltmeter.
Using the probe on the voltmeter touch the brush of the holiday detector while it is running.

5.6 Testing a Location

Turn the handle on.

With the probe in free air, press and release the button on the handle to switch on the high voltage. The red
light on the handle will illuminate and the instrument will emit a regular clicking, indicating that the probe is
at high voltage.

Place the probe on the test surface.

Keeping the probe in contact with the surface, move it over the entire test area at a speed of approximately
one meter every four seconds

One or more of the following will indicate a flaw in the coating:

 A spark is seen between the probe and the surface;

 The blue light on the high voltage handle flashes;
 The alarm sounds;
 The alarm icon is shown on the display – see illustration;
 The display backlight flashes.

If a flaw is found, circle with a marker, and move on to the next test location.

5.7 Packing away

Once finished or moving location, turn off the Portable Holiday Detector by holding in the off button until the
unit beeps 3 times. This must be done before disconnecting any wires.

Disconnect all wires from the unit and return them to the box.

5.8 Charging the Batteries:

Unscrew the retaining screw and open the access cover on the rear of the instrument.

Connect the charger to the “charger input” socket

Plug the charger supplied into the mains supply. The LED indicator on the charger will glow orange.
Leave the gauge charging for at least 4 hours. The LED indicator changes colour from orange to green when
charging is complete.
6. HIGH-VOLTAGE SPARK TESTING (FOR COATINGS >500ЦM)
 Document Number:

I Industrial Services
HRT-AZ-TPR-HODE
Revision: 03
Holiday Detection of Cured Coatings for Shah Deniz Phase 2 Jackets, Piles & Rev. Date: 1st November 2014
Associated Items Page 9 of 9

Note:
Due to the method of testing for coating flaws, this equipment outputs a very high voltage of up to 30
kV, (30 000 volts) or 15 kV (15 000 volts), on the high voltage probe. Should a user makes contact with
the probe, it is possible to experience a mild electric shock. However, due to the current being very low,
this is not normally dangerous.
In addition, an electrical spark indicates detection of a coating flaw, this means this method is
unsuitable for use in certain situations and environments, e.g. an explosive atmosphere.

6.1 Testing a Location

Prior to holiday detection the paint film shall be fully cured in accordance with paint manufacture instructions
and verified through testing.

Set the voltage on the holiday detector to the voltage required (3000V) for testing.

With the probe in free air, press and release the button on the handle to switch on the high voltage. The red
light on the handle will illuminate and the instrument will emit a regular clicking, indicating that the probe is
at high voltage.

Place the probe on the test surface.

Keeping the probe in contact with the surface, move it over the entire test area at a speed of approximately
one meter every four seconds

One or more of the following will indicate a flaw in the coating:

 A spark is seen between the probe and the surface;

 The blue light on the high voltage handle flashes;
 The alarm sounds;

If a flaw is found, circle with a marker, and move on to the next test location.