Corpus sync: neutrality remakes, note hygiene, datasheet relocation, transformer-split cross-refs
---
title: Epoxy Floor Coatings
…234 unchanged lines
### Concrete moisture shall be tested and shall meet the limits below before coating; the test method and acceptance limit depend on the selected primer.
−### Standard epoxy primers shall not be applied where the moisture vapor emission rate exceeds 3 lb/1000 sf/24 hr (ASTM F1869) or the in-situ relative humidity exceeds 75% (ASTM F2170).
−
−### Moisture-tolerant primers may be used where the MVER is up to 5-8 lb/1000 sf/24 hr or the in-situ RH is up to 80-85%, in accordance with the primer manufacturer's published limits.
−
−### A moisture-tolerant or moisture-mitigating primer shall be specified for on-grade and below-grade slabs and for slabs less than 6 months old.
−
−### Osmotic blistering and delamination from unmitigated slab moisture are the single most common field failure of epoxy floor coatings; moisture testing is not optional and slab age alone is never a substitute for a test result. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Moisture vapor emission rate limit (ASTM F1869)
…26 unchanged lines
```
+### Standard epoxy primers shall not be applied where the moisture vapor emission rate exceeds 3 lb/1000 sf/24 hr (ASTM F1869) or the in-situ relative humidity exceeds 75% (ASTM F2170).
+
+### Moisture-tolerant primers may be used where the MVER is up to 5-8 lb/1000 sf/24 hr or the in-situ RH is up to 80-85%, in accordance with the primer manufacturer's published limits.
+
+### A moisture-tolerant or moisture-mitigating primer shall be specified for on-grade and below-grade slabs and for slabs less than 6 months old.
+
+### Osmotic blistering and delamination from unmitigated slab moisture are the single most common field failure of epoxy floor coatings; moisture testing is not optional and slab age alone is never a substitute for a test result. {note}
+
## Application Environment {toc}
…20 unchanged lines
# Performance Requirements {toc}
−## The installed coating system shall meet the following performance requirements for the selected duty class. {note}
+## The installed coating system shall meet the following performance requirements for the selected duty class.
## Adhesion {toc}
…83 unchanged lines
### The coating system VOC content shall not exceed the limit of the applicable regional air district (for example, the CARB Architectural Coatings Rule floor-coating limit of 100 g/L); 100% solids systems are effectively 0 g/L and exempt.
−### Confirm the governing VOC authority early — SCAQMD, OTC states, and CARB differ — because a solvent-borne system that is compliant in one jurisdiction may be prohibited in another and forces a chemistry change late in the project. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Maximum coating VOC content
…6 unchanged lines
```
−# Materials {toc}
+### Confirm the governing VOC authority early — SCAQMD, OTC states, and CARB differ — because a solvent-borne system that is compliant in one jurisdiction may be prohibited in another and forces a chemistry change late in the project. {note}
−## Primer {toc}
+# Primer {toc}
−### The primer shall be a two-component epoxy compatible with the body coat and selected for the substrate's tested moisture condition per the Concrete Moisture section.
+## The primer shall be a two-component epoxy compatible with the body coat and selected for the substrate's tested moisture condition per the Concrete Moisture section.
−### Where the slab moisture exceeds the standard-primer limits, a moisture-tolerant or moisture-mitigating primer matched to the tested MVER or RH shall be furnished.
+## Where the slab moisture exceeds the standard-primer limits, a moisture-tolerant or moisture-mitigating primer matched to the tested MVER or RH shall be furnished.
−## Body Coat {toc}
+# Body Coat {toc}
−### The body coat shall be a two-component epoxy of the selected solids content, applied at the wet film thickness required to achieve the specified dry film thickness.
+## The body coat shall be a two-component epoxy of the selected solids content, applied at the wet film thickness required to achieve the specified dry film thickness.
−### Dry film thickness, not wet film thickness, shall govern acceptance; the Contractor shall account for solids content when establishing the application rate.
−
−### A 50%-solids product applied at 10 mil WFT yields only 5 mil DFT, so specifying and measuring by DFT prevents a thin, under-built film that passes a wet-mil gauge but fails in service. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Body coat solids content
…6 unchanged lines
```
−## Topcoat {toc}
+## Dry film thickness, not wet film thickness, shall govern acceptance; the Contractor shall account for solids content when establishing the application rate.
−### The topcoat shall be an aliphatic polyurethane or polyaspartic where the floor receives any UV exposure, exterior light, or requires long-term color stability.
+## A 50%-solids product applied at 10 mil WFT yields only 5 mil DFT, so specifying and measuring by DFT prevents a thin, under-built film that passes a wet-mil gauge but fails in service. {note}
−### An epoxy topcoat shall be used only in interior, UV-free back-of-house spaces.
+# Topcoat {toc}
−### Standard epoxy yellows and chalks rapidly under UV; any space where exterior light reaches the floor — even reflected daylight near a window or overhead door — requires an aliphatic polyurethane or polyaspartic topcoat to hold color and gloss. {note}
+## The topcoat shall be an aliphatic polyurethane or polyaspartic where the floor receives any UV exposure, exterior light, or requires long-term color stability.
−## Broadcast Aggregates and Additives {toc}
+## An epoxy topcoat shall be used only in interior, UV-free back-of-house spaces.
−### Decorative vinyl chips or color flakes, graded silica or color quartz, slip-resistant aluminum-oxide grit, and polymer grip additives shall be the manufacturer's matched components for the selected system.
+## Standard epoxy yellows and chalks rapidly under UV; any space where exterior light reaches the floor — even reflected daylight near a window or overhead door — requires an aliphatic polyurethane or polyaspartic topcoat to hold color and gloss. {note}
−### Anti-static or ESD systems shall use a conductive primer and a dissipative topcoat achieving a measured surface resistance of 10⁶ to 10⁹ Ω; heavy-duty ESD flooring is outside this standard and is governed by [[sync/resinous-flooring]].
+# Broadcast Aggregates and Additives {toc}
+## Decorative vinyl chips or color flakes, graded silica or color quartz, slip-resistant aluminum-oxide grit, and polymer grip additives shall be the manufacturer's matched components for the selected system.
+
+## Anti-static or ESD systems shall use a conductive primer and a dissipative topcoat achieving a measured surface resistance of 10⁶ to 10⁹ Ω; heavy-duty ESD flooring is outside this standard and is governed by [[sync/resinous-flooring]].
+
```datasheet
label: ESD surface resistance target (light-duty dissipative)
…11 unchanged lines
### Surface preparation shall produce a concrete surface profile (CSP) per ICRI 310.2R verified against a CSP profile comparator; the work shall not be specified by description alone.
−### Specifying preparation as "remove laitance" or "shot blast clean" without a CSP target is ambiguous and unenforceable; the comparator gives the inspector an objective acceptance reference. {note}
−
−### Thin-film sealers below 6 mil DFT shall be prepared to a minimum CSP 2 by diamond grinding or light shot blasting.
−
−### Standard and high-build coatings at 6 mil DFT and above shall be prepared to CSP 3 by shot blasting.
−
−### Acid etching shall not be used as the sole surface preparation method, and shall not be used at all for 100% solids systems.
−
−### Acid etching produces at best a CSP 1 profile, is inadequate for any coating above 6 mil, and is prohibited by most 100% solids manufacturers; shot blasting or diamond grinding is required for an enforceable bond. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Concrete surface profile (ICRI 310.2R)
…14 unchanged lines
```
+### Specifying preparation as "remove laitance" or "shot blast clean" without a CSP target is ambiguous and unenforceable; the comparator gives the inspector an objective acceptance reference. {note}
+
+### Thin-film sealers below 6 mil DFT shall be prepared to a minimum CSP 2 by diamond grinding or light shot blasting.
+
+### Standard and high-build coatings at 6 mil DFT and above shall be prepared to CSP 3 by shot blasting.
+
+### Acid etching shall not be used as the sole surface preparation method, and shall not be used at all for 100% solids systems.
+
+### Acid etching produces at best a CSP 1 profile, is inadequate for any coating above 6 mil, and is prohibited by most 100% solids manufacturers; shot blasting or diamond grinding is required for an enforceable bond. {note}
+
## Curing Compound and Contaminant Removal {toc}
…4 unchanged lines
### Chemical stripping alone shall not be relied upon where mechanical removal is required by the coating manufacturer.
−### A curing compound left in place is invisible after profiling but defeats adhesion across the whole floor; the removal scope must be confirmed against the slab's actual curing record, not assumed. {note}
+### A curing compound left in place is invisible after profiling but defeats adhesion across the whole floor; the removal scope must be confirmed against the slab's actual curing record, not assumed.
## Crack and Joint Treatment {toc}
…3 unchanged lines
### Moving joints and isolation joints shall be honored through the coating and shall not be rigidly filled where movement is expected.
−# Application {toc}
+# Sequence and Thickness {toc}
−## Sequence and Thickness {toc}
+## Each coat shall be applied at the manufacturer's specified rate to achieve the cumulative dry film thickness selected in the System Selection section, verified by wet-film gauge during application and dry-film measurement after cure.
−### Each coat shall be applied at the manufacturer's specified rate to achieve the cumulative dry film thickness selected in the System Selection section, verified by wet-film gauge during application and dry-film measurement after cure.
+## Broadcast systems shall be broadcast to rejection into the wet base coat, allowed to cure, scraped or vacuumed, and sealed with the grout and topcoat as the manufacturer directs.
−### Broadcast systems shall be broadcast to rejection into the wet base coat, allowed to cure, scraped or vacuumed, and sealed with the grout and topcoat as the manufacturer directs.
+# Recoat Window {toc}
−## Recoat Window {toc}
+## Each subsequent coat shall be applied within the manufacturer's maximum recoat (overcoat) window; where the window is exceeded, the prior coat shall be mechanically abraded before the next coat is applied.
−### Each subsequent coat shall be applied within the manufacturer's maximum recoat (overcoat) window; where the window is exceeded, the prior coat shall be mechanically abraded before the next coat is applied.
+## Most 100% solids epoxies allow topcoating at 8-16 hours at 65 °F, with a maximum recoat window of roughly 24-48 hours; beyond that window intercoat adhesion drops sharply and the surface must be abraded to restore bond.
−### Most 100% solids epoxies allow topcoating at 8-16 hours at 65 °F, with a maximum recoat window of roughly 24-48 hours; beyond that window intercoat adhesion drops sharply and the surface must be abraded to restore bond. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Maximum recoat window before abrasion required
…6 unchanged lines
```
−## Layout and Extents {toc}
+# Layout and Extents {toc}
−### Coating limits, color and finish changes, control-joint treatment, and transitions to adjacent flooring shall be installed at the locations and extents indicated. [[drawing: floor finish plan]]
+## Coating limits, color and finish changes, control-joint treatment, and transitions to adjacent flooring shall be installed at the locations and extents indicated. [[drawing: floor finish plan]]
−### Transitions to tile, polished concrete, or resilient flooring shall be detailed for the elevation difference created by the coating build and installed at the detailed transition. [[drawing: floor transition details]]
+## Transitions to tile, polished concrete, or resilient flooring shall be detailed for the elevation difference created by the coating build and installed at the detailed transition. [[drawing: floor transition details]]
−### Epoxy coatings add 8 to 30 mil to the slab surface; at transitions the elevation step and threshold detail must be coordinated with [[sync/polished-concrete]] and [[sync/resinous-flooring]] so the finished floors meet flush or with an intended, accessible transition. {note}
+## Epoxy coatings add 8 to 30 mil to the slab surface; at transitions the elevation step and threshold detail must be coordinated with [[sync/polished-concrete]] and [[sync/resinous-flooring]] so the finished floors meet flush or with an intended, accessible transition.
# Testing {toc}
…68 unchanged lines
default: 2
```