SSPC-QP 3
March 1, 2000
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
QUALIFICATION PROCEDURE NO. 3
Standard Procedure for Evaluating Qualifications
of Shop Painting Applicators
1. Scope
1.1 This standard procedure describes a method for
evaluating the qualification of shops whose primary function
is surface preparation and coating application services.
However, the procedure may be applicable to a fabricating
shop, shipyard, or other entity that applies coatings in the
shop, even though providing coating application services is
not its primary function.
1.2 The procedure encompasses shop application of
coatings in the industrial and light industrial/commercial
market.
1.3 In addition to the evaluation criteria outlined in this
procedure, the qualifying agency may elect to review the
applicant’s financial status and performance history in more
detail than required by this procedure.
1.4 This standard is intended for work at fixed, perma-
nent facilities. For field painting work that may involve the
use of a temporary structure, evaluating contractors using
SSPC-QP 1, “Standard Procedure for Evaluating Qualifica-
tions of Painting Contractors,” is more appropriate.
2. Description
2.1 DEFINITIONS
Applicator: A firm that provides the complete range of
coating application services (surface preparation through
coating application) in a shop facility for the industrial and
light industrial/ commercial markets
Auditor: 1) The person or persons who perform audits
on behalf of the auditing agency or qualifying agency. 2) The
body possessing the necessary technical competence to
review applicant submittals, conduct on-site audits of appli-
cants, and report results to the qualifying agency in compli-
ance with the requirements of this procedure and the written
requirements of the formal audit program.
Covered Shop: A permanent facility, enclosure or
building having a roof under which cleaning and painting
activities are normally performed out of direct exposure to
outdoor weather.
Enclosed Shop: A permanent facility, enclosure or
building (four walls to grade and a roof) where surface
preparation and coating activities are normally conducted in
an environment not subject to outdoor weather conditions
and/or blowing dust. Note: It is to be understood that at
times, in special cases, and with the approval of the party
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contracting the work, it may be necessary to clean or coat
oversize pieces outside the enclosed shop.
Field: An open yard area, parking lot, or field where the
environment is determined by ambient weather conditions.
Open Shop: A permanent area or facility with no roof
or walls in which cleaning and painting activities are nor-
mally conducted. The area or facility is exposed to outdoor
weather conditions and blowing dust.
Owner: The person, company or organization who
owns the material upon which the shop facility is performing
surface preparation and coating application.
Procedure: The sequence of steps taken to carry out a
particular course of action.
Qualification: The objective evidence by which written
assurance is given that an applicant conforms to the pre-
scribed set of conditions or requirements of this standard
procedure.
Qualifying Agency: The body responsible for devel-
opment, maintenance, sponsorship and operation of a pro-
gram to ensure uniform compliance with the provisions of
this standard procedure.
Shop Painting: Conducting surface preparation and
coating applications within a shop facility.
2.2 FUNCTIONS TO BE EVALUATED: The program
has four function areas to be evaluated: Management
Procedures, Technical Capabilities, Quality Control, and
Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance. General
requirements for each of these function areas are presented
in Section 3.
2.3 EVALUATION CRITERIA: The qualifying agency
must develop criteria or rating plans to evaluate each appli-
cant against this standard. The qualifying agency shall also
determine which of the specific, critical items within the four
function areas are to be evaluated for subsequent follow-up
or evaluations, ensuring the items evaluated are the same
for all applicants. The sequence of steps for conducting an
evaluation within a certification program is outlined in Sec-
tion 4. The evaluation, in each instance, will be performed by
the auditor.
2.4 QUALIFICATION CATEGORIES: This standard
establishes three qualification categories for shop painting:
enclosed shop, covered shop, and open shop. These
categories differ to the extent of the shop’s capability to
conduct surface preparation and coating operations without
regard to ambient weather conditions.
 SSPC-QP 3
March 1, 2000
3. General Qualification Requirements
3.1 MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES: The applicant
must demonstrate adequate procedures for disseminating
company policy and for personnel, administrative and finan-
cial management as follows:
3.1.1 Company Policy
a. General mission statement with separate declara-
tions on quality control and safety processes, goals and
commitments.
b. Description of procedures for disseminating com-
pany policies within the organization.
3.1.2 Organization and Personnel
a. Organizational chart showing division of responsibil-
ity within the company.
b. List of names, titles, duties, and job descriptions for
key personnel (management, technical, quality control,
safety) involved in purchasing and handling of materials
related to coatings or surface preparation, as well as those
involved in surface preparation and coating operations, such
as inspection and testing.
c. List of in-house or external training courses and
written career advancement programs attended by key per-
sonnel.
3.1.3 Administrative and Management Procedures
a. Brief description of company method of financial
record keeping.
b. Procedures used to review job specifications and
other related bid documentation.
c. Formal procedures for complying with federal, state,
and local environmental, health, and safety regulations.
3.2 TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES: The applicant must
show evidence of having qualified personnel, adequate
technical resources, suitable job conversion procedures,
and appropriate equipment, facilities, and experience as
follows:
3.2.1 Personnel Qualifications
a. Availability of training programs.
b. Qualifications of personnel performing surface prepa-
ration and application, including certifications for applying
specialized materials.
c. Monitoring of surface preparation and application
personnel for proficiency.
3.2.2 Technical Resources
a. List of technical societies, trade associations, or
other industry groups (e.g., universities, major manufactur-
ers, consultants) with which shop is associated.
b. Verifiable evidence that the company maintains a
library of current documents appropriate for certification
category sought.
3.2.3 Procedures: Description of procedures which
are used to convert job specifications into shop work orders,
job plans, etc., including:
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a. Written records of receipt and processing of job
specifications and revisions.
b. Procedures for receipt of specifications and revi-
sions.
c. Procedures for clarifying ambiguous specifications.
d. Procedures for communicating specifications and
shop procedures to quality control and production supervi-
sors.
3.2.4 Experience, Equipment, and Facilities
a. Listing of current and recently completed jobs and
work experience which support company’s capabilities to
perform work at the level of certification sought. List should
include the following:
• Facility name, address, telephone and fax num-
bers, and principal contact.
• Description of work performed, including: materi-
als applied with name and address of manufactur-
ers; equipment used; project and shift supervisor’s
name(s) and number of painters required per shift;
special safety or environmental requirements or
provisions; approximate volume of product applied;
and delivery method of the completed work.
b. List of equipment used for cleaning, surface prepa-
ration, coating application, curing, and material handling
and delivery.
c. Written maintenance and repair procedures for equip-
ment and vehicles, as well as maintenance records
d. Provide written preventive maintenance plans for
major equipment (e.g., air make up units, centrifugal blast
equipment, blast cabinets, dust collectors, compressors,
pollution control equipment) and evidence of use of such
plans.
e. Description of the shop’s capability to control envi-
ronmental conditions and pollutants. This would include
describing each area with environmental or pollution con-
trols, the nature of these controls, and functions carried out
in the specific area. Such areas include (1) prior-to-cleaning
material storage, (2) pre-cleaning, (3) preparation, (4) equip-
ment maintenance, (5) application of coating and (6) curing.
The description of the areas would include ventilation,
lighting, dust control, and physical dimensions depending
upon qualification category sought.
f. Shop must maintain area adequate for storage of
coating materials in accordance with manufacturer’s re-
quirements and governing safety regulations. At a mini-
mum, flammable materials should be stored in approved
containers; storage area temperature should be maintained
in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations or
overriding safety regulations; paint and solvent should be
stored under cover and out of direct sunlight; storage area
should have operable fire extinguishers and explosion-
proof lighting; smoking should be prohibited; mixing of
paints should be prohibited in the storage area; paint with
expired shelf life should be segregated from current mate-
rial; storage area should be kept neat and orderly, free of

accumulation of empty paint cans, combustibles and other
debris.
3.3 QUALITY CONTROL: The applicant must demon-
strate that it has qualified personnel, inspection equipment,
and proper inspection and recording procedures for job
quality control.
3.3.1 Personnel Qualifications
a. Documentation that personnel performing quality
control functions are qualified, including records of training
and experience of qualified supervisor and inspectors, and
a description of qualification requirements for inspectors.
b. Documentation that quality assurance personnel
report directly to management, other than production super-
visor, and evidence that quality control inspectors have
authority to stop work which is found to be nonconforming.
3.3.2 Inspection Procedures and Recording Sys-
tems
a. Records of standards and specifications for coating
inspection work and their utilization.
b. System for maintaining and filing in-process and
final inspection reports.
c. Availability of inspection equipment to monitor sur-
face preparation and application.
d. Demonstration that procedures are available and
used for:
• calibration of inspection instruments
• consistent inspection of each major operation (i.e.,
coating materials receipt, materials inspection, ma-
terials storage, surface preparation; application of
primer, intermediate and topcoat; pre-shipping and
shipping damage)
• providing adequate light for inspection as well as
free access to all items being inspected
• stopping work not conforming to specification
• identifying and isolating non-conforming material
• identifying and correcting problems with inspection
equipment, procedures, and personnel
3.4 SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL COM-
PLIANCE: The submitted application must document proper
health and safety and environmental compliance proce-
dures and recordkeeping systems and access to resource
material as follows:
3.4.1 Safety Procedures
a. Documentation of safety education, safety meet-
ings, regular safety inspections, and other relevant activi-
ties. Verification that shop has adequate written safety
program and that program rules are consistently monitored
and enforced.
b. Pre-job safety planning.
c. Documentation of accident reports, including inves-
tigation to determine cause as well as actions taken to
prevent recurrence.
d. Procedure for determining proficiency of safety and
loss control measures shop utilizes.
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SSPC-QP 3
March 1, 2000
e. Safety procedures for specialized equipment.
f. Verification that controls and procedures exist to
ensure sufficient ventilation following NFPA guidelines dur-
ing surface preparation and coating operations are in place.
g. Verification that controls and procedures exist to
avoid encroachment of other operations in surface prepara-
tion and coating areas.
h. Verification that housekeeping measures are in place
to control hazards.
i. Verification that procedures for safe wiring, adequate
grounding and proper general electrical practices following
NFPA guidelines are in place.
j. Verification that appropriate respirators and other
personal protective equipment are provided, properly used
and properly maintained.
k. Availability of first-aid trained employees.
3.4.2 Environmental Compliance
a. Verification that shop has an adequate written envi-
ronmental compliance program to handle processing and
proper disposal of hazardous waste and that program rules
are consistently monitored and enforced.
3.4.3 Resource Materials
a. List of available resource materials.
b. Sources of information on safety requirements.
c. Procedures used for acquiring safety information
and materials.
d. Availability of safety information referenced in sub-
mittals.
e. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
4. Application and Qualification Proce-
dures
4.1 SUBMITTAL OF WRITTEN APPLICATION PACK-
AGE: The initial step is to request an application form and
instructions. The request, along with an application fee
(when applicable) must be submitted to the qualifying agency.
The application process involves gathering required
information on the firm as described in the application form.
This information and documentation will be submitted to the
qualifying agency at the same time as the formal application
for qualification.
4.2 REVIEW OF APPLICATION PACKAGE: The
applicant’s application package is reviewed by the qualify-
ing agency using guidelines for evaluation which have been
established by that agency. The evaluation items are based
on Section 3 of this document.
4.3 ON-SITE AUDIT OF APPLICANT: Subject to
satisfactory evaluation of the application package referred
to in 4.2 and on a date mutually agreed upon by the applicant
and the qualifying agency, an auditor representing the
auditing agency will visit the applicant’s premises to inves-
tigate and rate the following areas directly and indirectly
affecting quality of work provided: Management Proce-
dures, Technical Capabilities, Quality Control, and Safety,
 SSPC-QP 3
March 1, 2000
Health, and Environmental Compliance. The auditor will
perform the following:
• Confirm data submitted with the application for
qualification.
• Conduct interviews with key supervisory personnel
and some subordinate employees.
• Observe and rate the organization and operation,
including management procedures; technical ca-
pabilities; quality control; and safety, health, and
environmental compliance procedures.
• Examine and rate equipment and facilities.
The on-site audit will usually require from one to two
days to complete.
4.4 EXIT INTERVIEW: Following the site audit, the
auditor will hold an exit interview with a cognizant member of
management. At the exit interview, the auditor will review
observations and the evaluation, including discussions of
deficiencies and omissions, if any. A written schedule of
deficiencies and omissions will be provided to the cognizant
member of management, who will be asked to confirm
receipt of the schedule. Every attempt is to be made by the
auditor during the exit interview to explain why deficiencies
were cited.
4.5 EVALUATION OF APPLICATION AND DETERMI-
NATION OF STATUS: At the conclusion of the evaluation
process, the auditor will make recommendations to the
qualifying agency, which will make the final decision regard-
ing applicant status:
4.5.1 Qualification: The auditor has determined that
the applicant has met or exceeded the requirements of
Section 3 above. The qualifying agency will make final
determination of the applicant’s qualification status based
on the recommendation of the auditor and disciplinary or
other evaluation criteria defined in the application materials.
Upon acceptance of this recommendation, the qualifying
agency will issue a certificate identifying the applicant by
name and by location of the applicant’s home office. Subse-
quent annual reconfirmation is subject to the qualifying
agency’s requirements.
4.5.2 Withhold Qualification: The auditor has deter-
mined that the applicant has not met the requirements of
Section 3 above. Following any discussion necessary be-
tween the auditor and the qualifying agency, qualification
may be withheld. If qualification is withheld, the qualifying
agency shall submit to the applicant an itemization of defi-
ciencies that resulted in the decision to withhold qualifica-
tion. The applicant will be allowed 90 days after notification
to submit corrective actions and request an on-site re-audit.
4.6 METHOD OF APPEAL: If an applicant disputes the
qualifying agency’s decision, the applicant may appeal,
utilizing the following steps of recourse:
• Notifying the qualifying agency within 10 working
days after notification of audit results, specifically
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COPYRIGHT The Society for Protective Coatings
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identifying reasons for the appeal.
• The applicant may arrange with the qualifying
agency to have a second independent auditor ac-
ceptable to both parties brought in at the applicant’s
expense to inspect and re-evaluate the applicant
for compliance with the standard’s requirements.
• In the event the foregoing steps fail to resolve the
dispute, a mutually agreed-upon arbitration panel,
consisting of three persons familiar with shop appli-
cation operations in the coatings industry, will hear
evidence and make a final decision. If the arbitra-
tion panel finds for the applicant, the cost of all fees
and expenses of the arbitration panel, the repre-
sentative of the evaluation team, and the qualifying
agency will be shared (50:50 split) by the applicant
and the qualifying agency. If the arbitration panel
does not find for the applicant, the applicant will be
responsible for payment of all fees and expenses.
Any other costs incurred by any party to the dispute
will be borne by that party.
4.7 RECONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATION
4.7.1 Self-Audit: The applicant shall at his own ex-
pense perform an annual self-audit, based on the require-
ments of Section 3 above, following initial qualification. The
results of this self-audit will be forwarded to the qualifying
agency, with a copy retained on file by the applicant, and will
be made available to the auditor during any announced or
unannounced audits.
4.7.2 Owner Comments: Owners for whom the appli-
cant performs work will have an opportunity to comment on
the qualified applicator’s performance by completing an
owner comment form available from the qualifying agency.
Comments will be in the form of replies to specific questions
asked of owners regarding performance on specific jobs.
Owner comments will be treated as confidential information.
4.8 REVOCATION: Failure to satisfactorily complete
the annual self-audit or pass an audit to maintain qualifica-
tion following initial qualification, or failure to meet disciplin-
ary or other evaluation criteria established by the qualifying
agency, will be cause for suspension or revocation of certi-
fication. Audits conducted to determine continued qualifica-
tion will be announced or unannounced and performed
annually, unless otherwise determined by the qualifying
agency.
4.9 QUALIFICATION PERIOD: Qualification is for
three years with annual reviews as determined by the
qualifying agency.
4.10 QUALIFYING AGENCY FILES: The qualifying
agency will maintain a list of certified applicators, as well as
pertinent information submitted by owners and users who
have utilized the applicator’s services. This information will
assist in the validation process during the qualification
period.

All information gathered will be used only for purposes
intended. Information determined to be proprietary in na-
ture will be treated as confidential.
5. Disclaimer
While every precaution is taken to ensure that all infor-
mation furnished in SSPC guides and standards is as
accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot
assume any responsibility, nor incur any obligation, result-
ing from the use of any materials or methods specified
therein, or of the procedure itself.
6. Note
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC, 1
East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60601-2001)
administers a Quality Certification Program with an optional
Sophisticated Paint Endorsement certification for steel fab-
rication shops. The Sophisticated Paint Endorsement certi-
fication parallels the requirements outlined in Sections 3.1
(Management Procedures), 3.2 (Technical Capabilities) and
3.3 (Quality Assurance and Control) of this standard proce-
dure. SSPC accepts the AISC/SPE as an equal to QP 3, with
the exception of safety, health, and environmental compli-
ance.
Appendix - Guidelines for Evaluating Ap-
plicant Submittals and for Rating Items
Evaluated During the On-site Evaluation
Audit
Applicant Submittals - The Qualifying Agency (QA)
should identify written submittal items required by the appli-
cant prior to the audit. Examples of such items include:
written quality control program; written safety, health and
environmental compliance program and enforcement pro-
cedures; names and titles of key management and supervi-
sory personnel; applicator training programs; references;
worker compensation Experience Modification Rate (EMR);
accident and injury log.
The submittal package can include other items as
required by the qualifying agency reviewing the applicant’s
submittal.
Auditing Criteria - Once the application and submittals
are completed, the qualifying agency (QA) can arrange for
the on-site audit to determine whether the applicant meets
the requirements of this standard procedure.
Before conducting the audit, the QA must develop a set
of acceptable responses to each evaluation item to be used
by the auditor during the audit. A rating system such as 1, 2,
3 can be developed to assign points for each item rated. For
example, a rating of “1” can be assigned for items rated
below the acceptable response. A “2” rating can be given for
items that meet the criteria.
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SSPC-QP 3
March 1, 2000
Pass/fail scoring criteria can be established to deter-
mine whether an applicant has met the qualification require-
ments. Taking this one step further, the QA can also set
required scores for certain critical items it deems essential
to the qualification. For example, SSPC requires applicants
to obtain an acceptable rating for the “Safety Program and
Enforcement” evaluation item.
Another approach to rating each item is to require that
the applicant meet the acceptable response for all items. If
the applicant falls short on any item, the auditor can issue a
major or minor deficiency which must be corrected in a
specified period of time (e.g., 90 days) in order for the
applicant to achieve qualification. A “minor” deficiency may
be defined as a system or procedure less than two-thirds
implemented. Corrective action could be submitted in writ-
ing and accepted as a remedy to achieve an “acceptable”
response. A “major” deficiency may be defined as a system
or procedure less than one- third implemented. Corrective
action for “major” deficiencies might require a written state-
ment identifying the correction followed by an on-site audit
if the item rated is deemed critical by the qualifying agency.
CRITICAL EVALUATION ITEMS (SHOP)
1. Technical Capabilities
• Are blasters and painters adequately trained?
• Is there a procedure for recording specifications
and revisions?
• Does shop have and follow a process for clarifying
ambiguous specifications?
• Is there a procedure for communicating job/shop
procedures to QC and production personnel?
• Are there areas available in the shop for specific
operations, such as: receiving and lay down for
pipe, steel, etc., to be coated; pre-cleaning of items
to be coated; preparation of items to be coated;
surface preparation; coating application; drying and
curing of coated materials; storage of coating ma-
terials, etc.?
2. Quality Control
• Is there documentation that personnel performing
quality control related functions (supervisor and
inspectors) are qualified, including records of train-
ing and experience? Are there written qualification
requirements for inspectors?
• Do quality control personnel report directly to man-
agement and have authority to stop non- conform-
ing work or order corrective rework?
• Are there standards and specifications available
and used by quality control personnel in conjunc-
tion with inspections, as needed?
• Are inspection reports and other required records
documenting compliance with customer require-
ments maintained?
 SSPC-QP 3
March 1, 2000
• Do quality control inspectors have necessary in- Rating Interpretation (Definition)
spection equipment and calibration standards to 0 Non-Responsive (No answer, or one
inspect work? with no connection to
• Can quality control inspectors demonstrate history the question)
of identifying and isolating non-conforming work
1 Unsatisfactory (pertinent but inadequate
and material as well as stopping work if necessary?
Response answer)
Are non conformances and corrective actions docu-
mented? 2 Satisfactory (minimally acceptable
Response response)
3. Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance
3 Superior (exceeds minimum
• Does shop have adequate written safety and health
Response acceptable)
compliance programs? Are procedures in the pro-
grams implemented and enforced (e.g. routine safety
• Assigned Values reflect the relative importance of
assessments; disciplinary measures)? Are safety
each evaluation item as follows:
information and required procedures disseminated
Value Interpretation
to employees?
• Is there an adequate hazard communication pro- 1 Important
gram? 2 Very Important
• Is appropriate personal protective equipment is- 3 Extremely Important
sued and properly maintained? • The shop’s score is compiled on the Evaluation
Report Form and Tally Sheet utilized by the audi-
QP 3 SCORING
tor. Copies are sent to the shop 30-45 days after
• SSPC determines qualification based on the shop’s the audit is complete.
total score, which is derived by multiplying Re- • To pass the QP 3 evaluation the shop must meet
sponse Ratings for each evaluation item by the all three of the following:
Assigned Value for that item, and totalling the • achieve a minimum “2” rating on all Critical Items
resulting weighted response ratings for all evalua- • achieve an overall passing score
tion items. • achieve a passing score for each function area
• Response Ratings define the quality of the shop’s (e.g., Management Procedures; Technical Ca-
response to each evaluation item as follows: pability; Quality Control; and Safety, Health and
Environmental Compliance).

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Licensed by Information Handling Services