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SSPC Offers Online Inspector Training

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

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SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings has launched an online version of its well-known Protective Coatings Inspector (PCI) program.

Introduced in 2007, the PCI program has been well received as a quality, affordable education alternative that effectively teaches both core and advanced concepts of coating inspection, according to SSPC.

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Online students will learn to prepare and execute a coatings inspection plan/procedure, describe how inspections can help prevent coating failure, and other skills.

The new online program version prepares candidates for the PCI Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Certification Exams. Once a candidate completes the PCI Online Training, he or she may also attend the SSPC PCI Instrument Workshop.

Course Description, Content

The objective of the course is to thoroughly train individuals in the proper methods of inspecting surface preparation and installation of industrial and marine protective coatings and lining systems on an array of industrial structures and facilities.

There are no prerequisites to take the training, but the course is not entry level. It is designed for project and quality managers, inspectors, contractor supervisory-level personnel, specification writers, suppliers, consultants and technical service representatives involved in the steel protective coatings industry.

PCI meets the requirements of ASTM D3276, Standard Guide for Painting Inspectors (Metal Substrates).

Knowledge and Skills Gained

Students who complete the course and pass the exam will be able to:

• Recognize the common duties, responsibilities and role of an industrial coatings inspector;

• Prepare and execute an inspection plan/procedure and compare the results to specification requirements;

• Explain the importance of thorough documentation;

• Distinguish between quality assurance and quality control and identify the duties of those  personnel;

• Describe the methods used to evaluate coating performance before full-scale installation;

• Describe the unique aspects of performing coatings inspection on an overcoating project and on projects employing thermal spray coatings, powder coatings and duplex coating systems;

• Describe how coatings inspection can help prevent premature coating failure; and

• List potential safety hazards associated with coatings inspection.

Format and Testing

The content covers a comprehensive variety of subtopics in protective coatings application, abrasive blast cleaning, spray painting, and inspection and engineering. Each unit is a series of web pages that students can access at their convenience. Videos demonstrate important procedures and practices.

The course provides 24-7 access to “some of the best coatings training materials in the world,” according to SSPC.

SSPC’s PCI Online training lays the groundwork for other PCI certification exams. The chart shows how participants progress through the program.

Students may take the exam online as soon as they complete the units and quizzes. The exam is corrected automatically, providing immediate test results. (Passing requires a score of 70% or higher.) Students may also download a certificate of training immediately.

‘Affordable Pathway to Certification’

“When SSPC designed PCI, the goal was to provide a more affordable pathway to certification for independent inspectors and professionals in emerging markets,” said SSPC president Bob McMurdy.

“In our research, we discovered a great thirst for knowledge among groups of highly skilled workers. These groups already had training and experience in coatings, and they wanted to be able to put that to work for them in gaining inspector certification. PCI allows them to do that.”

The PCI course has more than 190 training units with nearly 3,000 instructional slides, videos, animations, diagrams, photographs and narration. In addition, every unit has printable documentation and training notes, video guides, tools, calculations and conversions. One of the keys to the program is its flexibility, according to SSPC

PCI is the only coatings inspector program currently available from any provider that has been independently audited and verified by international agencies like ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), Lloyd’s Register, and RINA.

Registration

PCI Online is available beginning on the 15th of each month and runs for 20 weeks, including course exam. More information is available online. Participants may also register online.

For more information, contact SSPC at 877.281.SSPC (US) or at +1.412.281.2331(worldwide).

Founded in 1950 as the Steel Structures Painting Council, SSPC is the only non-profit association whose sole mission is to promote and support the use of protective, marine and industrial coatings for corrosion protection.