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Paint Performance Testing:Hygienic Coatings |
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Introduction
There are two distinct types of hygienic coatings:-
Type A
Those designed to inhibit microbial growth (especially bacteria). These coatings are intended for use in hospital wards, food packaging areas and other locations where a sterile surface is required but where severe soiling is not expected.
Type B
Those which do not actively inhibit microbial growth but are designed to withstand frequent cleaning. Coatings of this type are intended for use in abattoirs, food preparation areas, hospital operating theatres and other areas where surfaces are liable to become soiled and need to be kept both clean and sterile.
Each type can be further sub-divided into floor coatings and coatings intended for use on walls and ceilings.
Coatings for use in domestic premises can also contain biocides to prevent to fungal or algal growth. The assessment of these coatings is described on the Kitchen and Bathroom Paint and the Masonry Paint pages.
Method of Testing and Assessment
The table shows the tests carried out. The links will take you to pages which give details of the test methods.
| Test | Standard | Test Carried Out? (Yes/No) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A: Walls and Ceilings | Type A: Floors | Type B: Walls and Ceilings | Type B: Floors | ||
| In Can Properties | BS 3900-A2 : ISO 1513 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Application Properties, Appearance and Coverage | In-House | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Surface Drying Time | BS 3900-C2 : ISO 1517 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Through Drying Time | BS 3900-C3 : ISO 9117: BS EN 29117 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recoatability | In House | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gloss/Sheen | BS EN ISO 2813: BS 3900-D5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chip Resistance | BS AU 148: Part 15 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adhesion | BS EN ISO 2409: BS 3900-E6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Abrasion Resistance | ASTM D4060 | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Scratch Resistance | BS EN ISO 1518: BS 3900-E2 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Resistance to Liquids | BS 3900-G5: ISO 2812-1 | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Scrub Resistance and Cleanability | BS EN ISO 11998 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steam Resistance | In-House | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-microbial Activity | In-House adaption of JIS Z 2801 | Yes | Yes | No | No |
We do not set our own pass/fail criteria so we offer the following options:-
Option 1: Client Assessment
This option is available to clients who are happy to make their own interpretation of the test results. They can submit one or more coatings with or without a reference coating.
Option 2: PRA Assessment
This option is appropriate for clients who would like us to comment on the significance of the test results and to give our opinion on the performance of the coatings tested. Experience has shown that the most effective way that we can do this is:-
- we obtain a premium brand coating of the same type as the one under test. Our report does not identify the actual coating obtained.
- we test both coatings.
- we issue a report which give the results obtained from both coatings and which includes our opinion of the quality of the coating under test.
You can include additional coatings for comparison with the reference coating or with each other.
Clients can submit their own reference coating but if they provide one which they do not make or market, we ask that they re-label it as (for example) "Sample X". We do not issue reports containing the names of coatings unless they are made or marketed by the client.
On completion of the tests, we issue a report which give the results obtained and (if you have requested that option) our opinion of the quality of the coatings under test.
Further Details
Please contact Peter Collins for pricing, sample requirements and timescales