Why Standards? The Standards Police
Why Standards? >>
Standards are used to establish procedures and properties relevant to
processes and requirements. Standards in the paint industry exist in the
form of compositional or performance types for coatings and as procedural
standards for application. In the construction industry, the procedural
standards for painting are included with other types, such as electrical,
engineering and plumbing and are referred to as "Building Standards".
Building Standards are likened to a form of law and are policed by various
Building Inspectors (eg. Plumbing, Electrical, Coatings, etc.). A project
without standards is like a town without law or order. Just imagine New York
city with no police!
Constant pressure is on the paint manufacturer to produce products that hide
very well with one or two coats. For instance, why hi-hide eggshell latex
over hi-hide latex sealer if the job calls for three coats? Because the
intent is to try to 'save' one coat.
In the painting industry, standards set the tone. This means you bid a three
coat job and you will apply three coats. If there are no painting standards
(and no third party inspection), your competitor may bid three coats, but the
owner may only get two coats.