Awwa C550-90

American Water Works Association
ANSI/AWWA C550-90
(Revision of ANSI/AWWA C550-81)
AWWA STANDARD
FOR
PROTECTIVE EPOXY INTERIOR COATINGS
FOR VALVES AND HYDRANTS
Effective date: Sept. 1, 1990.

First edition approved by AWWA Board of Directors Jan. 25, 1981.
This edition approved Jan. 28, 1990.
Approved by American National Standards Institute, Inc., May 25, 1990.
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80235
Copyright (C) 1998 American Water Works Association, All Rights Reserved.
AWWA Standard
This document is an American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard. It is not a specification.
AWWA standards describe minimum requirements and do not contain all of the engineering and
administrative information normally contained in specifications. The AWWA standards usually con-
tain options that must be evaluated by the user of the standard. Until each optional feature is
specified by the user, the product or service is not fully defined. AWWA publication of a standard
does not constitute endorsement of any product or product type, nor does AWWA test, certify, or
approve any product. The use of AWWA standards is entirely voluntary. AWWA standards are
intended to represent a consensus of the water supply industry that the product described will
provide satisfactory service. When AWWA revises or withdraws this standard, an official notice of
action will be placed on the first page of the classified advertising section of Jo ur nal AWW A
. The
action becomes effective on the first day of the month following the month of Jo ur nal AWW Apubli-
cation of the official notice.
American National Standard

An American National Standard implies a consensus of those substantially concerned with its scope
and provisions. An American National Standard is intended as a guide to aid the manufacturer, the
consumer, and the general public. The existence of an American National Standard does not in any
respect preclude anyone, whether he has approved the standard or not, from manufacturing, mar-
keting, purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not conforming to the standard.
American National Standards are subject to periodic review, and users are cautioned to obtain the
latest editions. Producers of goods made in conformity with an American National Standard are
encouraged to state on their own responsibility in advertising and promotional materials or on tags
or labels that the goods are produced in conformity with particular American National Standards.
CAUTION NOTICE: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval date on the front
cover of this standard indicates completion of the ANSI approval process. This American National
Standard may be revised or withdrawn at any time. ANSI procedures require that action be taken
to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard no later than five years from the date of publication.
Purchasers of American National Standards may receive current information on all standards by
calling or writing the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 11 West 42nd St., New York,
NY 10036; (212) 642-4900.
Copyright © 1990 by American Water Works Association

Printed in USA
ii
Committee Personnel
The AWWA Standards Committee on Protective Interior Coatings for Valves
and Hydrants, which reviewed and approved this standard, had the following per-
sonnel at the time of approval:
Bruce H. Ellis, Chairman
Consumer Members
R.L. Claudy, Orlando Utilities Commission, Orlando, Fla. (AWWA)

William Ellgas,* East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland,
Calif. (AWWA)
B.H. Ellis, Denver Water Department, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)
S.F. Gorden, Portland Water District, Portland, Maine (NEWWA)
Cassandra Hamvas, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power,
Los Angeles, Calif. (AWWA)
Ray Lee, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, Calif. (AWWA)
Wayne Risner, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California,
La Verne, Calif. (AWWA)
D.A. Wright, Fairfax County Water Authority, Merrifield, Va. (AWWA)
General Interest Members
E.E. Baruth,† Standards Engineer Liaison, AWWA, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)

K.M. Bell, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Ill. (AWWA)
F.C. Campbell Jr.,† Council Liaison, Louisville Water Company,
Louisville, Ky. (AWWA)
Ellis Gilliland, US Army Engineering Division, Huntsville, Ala. (US Army)
Joseph Minneci, Southern California Water Company, Los Angeles,
Calif. (AWWA)
B.G. Mui, Alvord, Burdick & Howson, Chicago, Ill. (AWWA)
D.D. Naomi, Edmond E. Dupre Jr., Inc., Lafayette, La. (AWWA)
Walter Singleton, Walter T. Singleton Corporation, Phoenix, Ariz. (AWWA)
R.R. Skabo, CH2M Hill, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)
Harry Uyeda, US Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)
S.L. Zeid, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (AWWA)
Producer Members
Jerry Bottenfield, Clow Corporation, Oskaloosa, Iowa (AWWA)

G.L. Bouc, Mueller Water & Gas Products Division, Decatur, Ill. (AWWA)
*Alternate
†Liaison, nonvoting
iii
Terry Brown, Morton Chemical Powder Coatings Group, Reading, Pa. (AWWA)
L.C. Carl, Kennedy Valve, Elmira, N.Y. (AWWA)
Roland Larkin, American Darling Valve, Birmingham, Ala. (AWWA)
P.I. McGrath, United States Pipe & Foundry Company,
Birmingham, Ala. (AWWA)
Thomas Mettler, Waterous Company, South Saint Paul, Minn. (AWWA)
M.P. Yoke, M & H Valve Company, Anniston, Ala. (AWWA)
iv
Contents
SEC. PAGE SEC. PAGE
Foreword 3 Coating Process

I History of Standard.......................... vi 3.1 Surface Preparation .......................... 3
II Acceptance......................................... vi 3.2 Coating Application........................... 3
III Information Regarding Use 3.3 Coating System Qualification........... 4
of This Standard ............................ vi
IV Major Revisions ................................ vi 4 Testing and Inspection
4.1 Qualification Testing......................... 4
Standard 4.2 Production Testing ............................ 5
1 General 5 Special Testing

1.1 Scope................................................... 1 5.1 Holiday Testing ................................. 5
1.2 Definitions .......................................... 1
1.3 Affidavit or Certificate 6 Inspection and Rejection
of Compliance .................................. 2
6.1 General............................................... 5
1.4 References .......................................... 2
6.2 Basis for Rejection............................. 5
2 Materials
7 Shipping, Handling, and
2.1 General ............................................... 3 Storage Precautions ................... 6
2.2 Coating Material................................ 3
Foreword
This foreword is for information only and is not a part of AWWA C550.
I. History of Standard. An AWWA joint task group was formed on Jan. 15,
1971, to study protective linings for valves and hydrants in response to a request
from the Gate Valve and Swing Check Valve, Butterfly Valve, and Fire Hydrant
Standards committees. The purpose of this task group was to assemble all of the
available information on protective linings and coatings for valves and hydrants and
to prepare a report from this information.
The AWWA Standards Committee on Protective Interior Coatings for Valves
and Hydrants produced the first edition of AWWA C550 in 1980. It was approved by
the AWWA Board of Directors on Jan. 25, 1981. This is the second edition of
AWWA C550.
II. Acceptance. Users of AWWA C550 should be aware that at the time
AWWA C550-90 was published, general authority to accept indirect additives for use
in drinking water rested with individual states. States use various options to deter-
mine acceptability of products including a voluntary advisory program administered
by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This program provides unof-
ficial listings of apparently acceptable drinking water additives. Various coating
products have been included in this listing.
The USEPA is planning to discontinue this advisory program Apr. 7, 1990.
Alternative information on additive acceptability is now being developed. AWWA
may include definitive references on this subject in future editions of AWWA
standards.
III. Information Regarding Use of This Standard. The purchaser should
specify requirements by referring to the appropriate sections of AWWA C550 and
provide specific supplementary information regarding the following:
1. Standard used—that is, AWWA C550, Standard for Protective Epoxy Inte-
rior Coatings for Valves and Hydrants.
2. Affidavit or certificate of compliance, if required (Sec. 1.3).
3. Holiday testing, if required. Consult manufacturers for availability of special
holiday tests (Sec. 5.1).
4. Inspection responsibilities (Sec. 6.1).
IV. Major Revisions. The major revisions in this edition consist of the
following:
1. Revision of style and format to reflect current practices.
2. The term epoxy has been added to the title, to Sec. 1.1, and throughout this
standard to better define the scope of AWWA C550.
3. Sec. 1.2, Definitions, has been expanded.
4. Sec. 3.2 and Sec. 3.3 have been rewritten.
5. Sec. 7, Shipping, Handling, and Storage Precautions, has been added.
vi
American Water Works Association
ANSI/AWWA C550-90
(Revision of ANSI/AWWA C550-81)
AWWA STANDARD FOR
PROTECTIVE EPOXY INTERIOR

COATINGS FOR VALVES AND
HYDRANTS
SECTION 1: GENERAL
Sec. 1.1 Scope
This standard covers the special protective interior coatings for valves and hy-
drants used in the waterworks industry. The standard covers the material,
application, and performance requirements for these special interior coatings. The
coating shall be either a liquid or powder epoxy system and shall not contain coal
tar. These coatings are applied to interior ferrous surfaces of valves and hydrants
intended for use in drinking water systems where corrosion protection is specified.
1.1.1 Exceptions. This standard does not cover the following:
1.1.1.1 Exterior coatings. When necessary, because of the application process
or purchaser requirements, the coating may also be specified for exterior use. It
should be recognized that the performance requirements for exterior service may
vary from those specified for interior use because of differences in exposure
conditions.
1.1.1.2 Coatings agreed on between the purchaser and the manufacturer for
special service conditions, such as salt water, acid, high temperature, and the like.
Sec. 1.2 Definitions

In this standard, the following definitions shall apply:
1.2.1 Purchaser: The party entering into a contract or agreement for the pur-
chase of valves and hydrants or component parts thereof coated in accordance with
the provisions of this standard.
2 AWWA C550-90
1.2.2 Manufacturer: The party that manufactures the valves and hydrants or
component parts thereof to be coated in accordance with this standard.
1.2.3 Coating applicator: The party, who may or may not be the manufacturer
of the valves and hydrants or component parts, who applies a coating that meets the
requirements of this standard.
1.2.4 Coating manufacturer: The party that manufactures or produces the
liquid or powder coating materials covered by this standard.
1.2.5 Coating: A fully cured material on the interior surfaces of a valve, hy-
drant, or component part thereof that meets the requirements of this standard.
1.2.6 Coating system: Those materials and procedures used to produce a
coating.
1.2.7 Powder coating material: A material applied in powder form that pro-
vides a heat-activated, chemically cured coating.
1.2.8 Liquid coating material: A one- or two-component, homogeneously mixed
material applied in liquid form that provides a heat-activated or chemically cured
coating.
1.2.9 Application: The method by which the coating material is applied or de-
posited on the valve, hydrant, or component part thereof. Methods of application
include, but are not restricted to, the following:
1.2.9.1 Powder coating material may be applied to preheated components us-
ing a fluidized bed or an electrostatic spray system. The method used may require a
postheating process. Chemically cured methods that provide powder-applied coat-
ings, as defined in Sec. 1.2.7, are also acceptable.
1.2.9.2 Liquid coating material may be applied by air, airless, or electrostatic
spray; by brush; or by electrophoretic deposition. Chemically cured methods that
provide liquid-applied coatings, as defined in Sec. 1.2.8, are also acceptable.
1.2.10 Holiday test: A nondestructive test of the coating of a valve, hydrant, or
component part performed in accordance with this standard to electrically determine
the presence of voids or holidays in the coating.
1.2.11 Ferrous surface: The surface of a part made from gray iron, ductile
iron, or steel, used for a valve or hydrant component part.
1.2.12 Waterworks: The complete system used to distribute drinking water
from its sources to the end user. The coated valves, hydrants, and component parts
covered in this standard are a part of this system.
Sec. 1.3 Affidavit or Certificate of Compliance

The manufacturer shall, when required by the purchaser’s specifications for
valves and hydrants, provide the purchaser with an affidavit or certificate of compli-
ance stating: (1) that the furnished coating conforms to the applicable requirements
of this standard, and (2) that all inspections and tests specified herein have been
performed and all test requirements have been met as shown by Sec. 3 (Coating
Process) and Sec. 4 (Testing and Inspection).
Sec. 1.4 References
This standard references the following documents. In their latest revision, they
form a part of this standard to the extent specified herein. In any case of conflict,
the requirements of this standard shall prevail.
ASTM* D2794—Standard Test Method for Resistance of Organic Coatings to
the Effects of Rapid Deformation (Impact).
EPOXY INTERIOR COATINGS 3
Food and Drug Administration* Document, Title 21 of the Code of Federal

Regulations on Food Additives, Sec. 175.300, “Resinous and Polymeric Coatings.”
US Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water Hygiene, Division of
Epidemiology and Biometrics, Toxicology Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio—“Directions
for Determining the Water Extractable Substances From a Polymeric or Resinous
Water Contact Surface,” in its adaptation in AWWA C210-78, Sec. 5.2.7 and
Sec. 5.2.8.†
SECTION 2: MATERIALS
Sec. 2.1 General
The coating material shall be a liquid or powder epoxy and shall not contain
coal tar.
Sec. 2.2 Coating Material

The coating material, if for use in a drinking water system, shall be formulated
from materials deemed acceptable in the Food and Drug Administration Document,
Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations on Food Additives, Sec. 175.300, “Resin-
ous and Polymeric Coatings,” or the coating material shall be shown to be suitable
for contact with drinking water by the manufacturer or coating manufacturer. As a
basis for demonstrating the coating material’s suitability for contact with drinking
water, the manufacturer or coating manufacturer shall use “Directions for Deter-
mining the Water Extractable Substances From a Polymeric or Resinous Water
Contact Surface,” issued by the USEPA.
SECTION 3: COATING PROCESS

Sec. 3.1 Surface Preparation
3.1.1 Visual examination. Before surface preparation, each valve or hydrant
component to be coated shall be visually inspected for acceptability. Surface prepa-
ration shall ensure that the fully cured coating meets the requirements of this
standard.
Sec. 3.2 Coating Application
3.2.1 Coating areas. The protective coating, whether a liquid or powder, shall
be applied to and fully cured on interior ferrous surfaces that are in constant contact
with the water and for which corrosion protection is required for effective perform-
ance of the valve or hydrant.
*American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.
*Available from the US Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents,
Washington, DC 20402.
†Available from the American Water Works Association, Standards Department, 6666 W.
Quincy Ave., Denver, CO 80235.
4 AWWA C550-90
3.2.2 Coating exceptions. Certain surfaces may be left uncoated, provided the
anticipated corrosion of these areas will not interfere with the effective performance
of the valve or hydrant. These surfaces include interior-machined surfaces; bearing
surfaces; mating surfaces of gaskets or other elastomeric stem seals; corrosionresis-
tant ferrous surfaces, such as stainless steel; and other surfaces that, if coated,
would impair the effective performance and operation of the valve or hydrant.
3.2.3 Gasket sealing surfaces. It may be necessary to limit the protective coat-
ing thickness on gasket sealing surfaces of valve and hydrant end connections to
maintain a leakproof joint.
Sec. 3.3 Coating System Qualification

3.3.1 Type. The coating materials that the manufacturer intends to use for
coating valves, hydrants, and component parts thereof shall conform to Sec. 2.2 of
this standard.
3.3.2 Performance testing. The coating system that the manufacturer proposes
to use for coating valves, hydrants, and component parts thereof shall be tested in
accordance with Sec. 4.1 of this standard.
3.3.3 Changes to coating system. If the coating material’s chemical composition
or application-procedure parameters, or both, are modified from the original compo-
sition and parameters, the modified coating system shall be retested in accordance
with protocols in Sec. 2.2 and Sec. 4.1 of this standard.
SECTION 4: TESTING AND INSPECTION

Tests described in Sec. 4.2 shall be performed on valves, hydrants, and compo-
nent parts thereof on an ongoing, routine, daily basis.
Sec. 4.1 Qualification Testing
4.1.1 Test coupon. The coating material shall be applied to a test coupon con-
sisting of a cylindrical tube or pipe approximately 6 in. (150 mm) in diameter and
approximately 4 in. (100 mm) in length, split lengthwise into two approximately
equal sections so both the concave and convex surfaces are accessible for examina-
tion. The test coupon shall be made of the same material as the product to be
coated, and surface roughness of the test coupon shall be similar to the product to
be coated. The coating shall be applied to the convex and concave surfaces. The
surface preparation, coating application procedures, coating thickness, and curing
parameters shall be the same as those to be used for the valve or hydrant parts.
4.1.2 Disbondment or blistering. An X shall be scribed with a sharp instru-
ment through the coating material to the metal surface beneath for the maximum
length possible on both the concave and convex cylindrical surfaces of the test cou-
pon. No disbondment, blistering, or distress of the coating material applied to the
scribed test coupon shall be noted after 500 h of immersion in 150oF (66oC) distilled
water.
4.1.3 Direct impact. No cracking nor disbonding of the coating material under
the indentor of the impact apparatus as described in ASTM D2794 shall be visible
EPOXY INTERIOR COATINGS 5
without magnification after a direct impact of 20 in.-lbf (2.26 J) is applied near the
center of the convex and concave cylindrical surfaces of the test coupon. Only that
section of ASTM D2794 describing the impact apparatus shall be applicable to this
standard.
Sec. 4.2 Production Testing

All coated surfaces of each valve or hydrant shall be examined before assembly
and when practical, after assembly. Tests described in Sec. 4.2.1 and Sec. 4.2.2 shall
be performed on valves, hydrants, and component parts thereof on an ongoing, rou-
tine, daily basis.
4.2.1 Visual examination. Visual examination of all coated surfaces shall dis-
close no blisters, cracks, or lack of coating continuity.
4.2.2 Coating thickness. The film thickness of the cured coating shall be ran-
domly measured with a nondestructive instrument on selected valves, hydrants, or
component parts thereof. The thickness shall not be less than the minimum thick-
ness of the coating on the qualification test coupon.
SECTION 5: SPECIAL TESTING

Sec. 5.1 Holiday Testing
Holiday testing requires special handling and treatment of valve and hydrant
parts and is not a routine production test. If experience indicates that severe service
conditions exist that justify added expense, the purchaser’s specifications shall
request a special, electrically void-free coating. When so requested, interior coated
surfaces of valve and hydrant parts shall be shown to be holiday-free when tested
with a low-voltage (221⁄2 V to 80 V, with approximately 80,000 ohms) holiday detec-
tor, using a sponge saturated with a 1⁄2 percent by weight sodium chloride solution.
SECTION 6: INSPECTION AND REJECTION

Sec. 6.1 General
With prior arrangement between the purchaser and the manufacturer, the
application of the protective coating may be inspected by the purchaser. Such
inspection shall not relieve the manufacturer or coating applicator of the responsibil-
ity to furnish material and to perform work in accordance with this standard. The
purchaser shall have access to the assembly and testing facilities.
Sec. 6.2 Basis for Rejection
Failure to meet the requirements of this standard will be the basis for rejec-
tion. The coatings on valves, hydrants, or components may be repaired and retested
for acceptance by the purchaser.
6 AWWA C550-90
SECTION 7: SHIPPING, HANDLING, AND

STORAGE PRECAUTIONS
Coated valves, hydrants, or components thereof shall be shipped, handled, and
stored in a manner that will prevent damage to the coating. Storage shall be in a
manner consistent with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Direct sunlight,
ozone, and fumes that may damage the coating should be avoided. If approved by
the purchaser, coatings damaged in shipment or by field handling may be repaired
at the jobsite, provided materials and procedures recommended by the manufacturer
are used and the applicable requirements of Sec. 2.2 and Sec. 4.2 of this standard
are met.
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American Water Works Association

Effective date: Sept. 1, 1990.

AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

American National Standard

Copyright © 1990 by American Water Works Association

Bruce H. Ellis, Chairman

R.L. Claudy, Orlando Utilities Commission, Orlando, Fla. (AWWA)

General Interest Members

E.E. Baruth,† Standards Engineer Liaison, AWWA, Denver, Colo. (AWWA)

Jerry Bottenfield, Clow Corporation, Oskaloosa, Iowa (AWWA)

SEC. PAGE SEC. PAGE

Foreword 3 Coating Process

1 General 5 Special Testing

AWWA STANDARD FOR

PROTECTIVE EPOXY INTERIOR

Sec. 1.2 Definitions

Sec. 1.3 Affidavit or Certificate of Compliance

Food and Drug Administration* Document, Title 21 of the Code of Federal

Sec. 2.2 Coating Material

SECTION 3: COATING PROCESS

Sec. 3.3 Coating System Qualification

SECTION 4: TESTING AND INSPECTION

Sec. 4.2 Production Testing

SECTION 5: SPECIAL TESTING

SECTION 6: INSPECTION AND REJECTION

SECTION 7: SHIPPING, HANDLING, AND

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