Overview
ISO 9607-1:2024 - Paints and varnishes - Protective coatings for concrete structures - Part 1: General introduction - defines the overall scope of the ISO 9607 series and provides a concise, practical introduction to protecting concrete and cement‑based structures with coating systems. It sets out terminology, the field of application, key protective functions, durability categories and guidance on how to use the other parts of the ISO 9607 series. This introductory standard supports consistent specification, selection and maintenance of protective coatings for concrete.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and structure of the series: Describes Parts 2–8 (e.g., atmospheric‑aggressiveness categories, surface preparation, coating types, test methods, application and specifications).
- Terminology and normative reference: Uses ISO 4618 vocabulary and defines terms such as substrate, protective coating system, durability, hydrophobic impregnation and sample area.
- Protective functions covered: Focuses on protection against environmental aggressiveness (atmosphere, water, soil). Explicitly excludes anti‑fouling, stored chemical resistance, mechanical impact resistance, fire protection and aesthetic requirements.
- Field of application: Identifies applicable structures (industrial buildings, dwellings and public buildings, civil engineering, buried and offshore structures) and surface types (uncoated, previously painted; impregnated surfaces may be coated if performance is met).
- Durability categories: Defines four planning/durability ranges - Low (L) up to 7 years, Medium (M) 7–15 years, High (H) 15–25 years, Very High (VH) >25 years - and clarifies durability is a planning parameter, not a contractual guarantee.
- General considerations: Emphasizes maintenance planning, sample areas, accessibility issues, cost‑effectiveness and agreement between parties on acceptable levels of coating failure before first major maintenance (with reference to ISO 4628 series for defect assessment, if agreed).
- Health, safety and environmental protection: Provides guidance on relevant HSE and environmental considerations when applying the series.
Applications and users
ISO 9607-1 is intended for:
- Owners and asset managers planning lifecycle and maintenance of concrete structures
- Designers and consultants specifying protective coating systems and durability requirements
- Contractors and applicators preparing surfaces and applying coatings on new work and maintenance
- Inspectors and quality controllers assessing coating performance and sample areas
- Manufacturers of paint and coating systems aligning product data with ISO guidance
Practical uses include selecting appropriate coating systems based on environment class and durability, defining surface preparation requirements, planning maintenance cycles, and preparing specifications that reference subsequent parts of ISO 9607.
Related standards
- ISO 4618 (paints and varnishes - vocabulary)
- ISO 4628 series (assessment of coating defects - referenced for defect evaluation)
- Other parts of ISO 9607 (Parts 2–8) cover aggressiveness categories, surface prep, coating types, tests and application guidance.