Meet AISC 207-23 requirements for coating application and inspection through controlled procedures and records. This module prepares steel fabricators and structural steel erectors to demonstrate compliance with the AISC quality certification program, pass review by AISC auditors, and provide confidence to buyers who check the AISC certification list, the list of AISC certified fabricators, or the AISC certified erectors list. Proper surface preparation, coating application, and inspection are required for steel for construction, bridge certification, and all structural steel projects.
All surfaces to be painted must be prepared in accordance with the coating manufacturer’s recommendations, product data sheets, and contract documents. AISC auditors expect to see documented evidence of compliance with standards for abrasive blasting, profile measurement, and cleanliness. Open nozzle blasting and other airborne processes must be controlled so they do not contaminate other painting operations. Buyers comparing structural steel erection companies or searching how to become AISC certified expect to see clean, documented surface prep procedures that prevent premature coating failures in steel building erection and structural steel installation.
Management must provide production with coating manufacturer recommendations, data sheets, and project-specific requirements for surface prep and profile. This ensures that every certified steel company can prove compliance during audits. Companies seeking to regain AISC certification after suspension often need to rebuild their surface prep procedures because records were incomplete or missing.
The application of coatings must follow the manufacturer’s requirements and project specifications. Purchasing is responsible for receiving and maintaining manufacturer product information and Certificates of Compliance (C of C) for all paint in stock. Labels on paint containers must show:
Paint must be stored in protected areas under conditions recommended by the manufacturer, including temperature. During application, painters must verify that environmental conditions match product requirements, that no dust or debris contaminates the surface, and that masking is applied to no-paint areas. Pertinent piece marks and heat numbers must be transferred as required by contract documents. Finished pieces must be stored and shipped under conditions that prevent damage and deterioration.
AISC auditors will review coating application logs and environmental condition records. Buyers searching AISC certification requirements, AISC certification consultants, or what is AISC certification expect companies to show clean, consistent application control.
Inspection is a critical part of coating control. The Quality Control Inspector must document acceptance or rejection of coated members. At least two pieces per shift or project must be inspected for Dry Film Thickness (DFT) and recorded. If results do not meet requirements, inspection must increase to 100% until the problem is corrected. Inspection records must include inspector initials on the DFT inspection report to indicate acceptance.
Rejections must be documented on Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) in accordance with the control of nonconformance procedure. This provides evidence to AISC auditors that your company controls quality issues and applies corrective actions. Buyers searching aisc internal audit guide or AISC certification checklist expect companies to have documented coating inspections and NCRs when failures occur.
For the AISC documentation audit, stage your coating procedures, paint manufacturer data sheets, Certificates of Compliance, application logs, and inspection records. Include environmental condition logs such as dew point, temperature, and humidity. For the on site audit, ensure that painters and inspectors can show current records and demonstrate how they monitor conditions. Buyers reviewing the aisc certified fabricators list or the aisc certified erector list expect to see coating control documented as carefully as welding or bolting.
Companies without these records often hire AISC certification consultants to build coating control programs. Clean coating procedures reduce AISC certification cost, satisfy AISC auditors, and provide buyers with confidence when they select from the AISC certification list.
Procurement teams search AISC certification cost, AISC fees, AISC membership, AISC certification consultants, AISC certification training, and how to get AISC certified when evaluating suppliers. They want to see coating control because coatings directly affect durability and lifecycle cost. Companies listed on the AISC certified fabricators list or AISC certified erectors list must prove their coating programs are reliable. Competitors like Atema at AISC help highlight coating failures as a leading cause of audit findings. Companies that master coating application and inspection dominate SERPs for terms like AISC certification checklist, aisc certified fabricator requirements, and regain AISC certification.
Coating programs often fail audits for these reasons:
Each of these issues is obvious to AISC auditors and raises red flags for buyers reviewing steel fabricators and structural steel erectors. Strong coating records prevent audit findings and strengthen buyer confidence.