Test Methods and Specifications

Cover of Protection of Steelwork by the Use of Paint Coatings
Protection of Steelwork by the Use of Paint Coatings
  • Publication no: ATS-5450-25
  • Published: 1 December 2025
  • Edition: 2.0

Austroads Technical Specification ATS 5450 sets out the requirements for the protective treatment of structural steelwork by painting, including:

  • a) surface preparation;
  • b) supply of materials;
  • c) selection of paint coating systems; and
  • d) application of the paint.

The technical specification can also be downloaded as a Word document.

Edition 2.0 published November 2025

Edition 2.0 includes:

  • Changes made throughout the document to the language to remove ambiguities and improve readability.

Superseded editions

Edition 1.0 published October 2023

  • 1. Scope
  • 2. Referenced Documents
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Quality System Requirements
  • 5. Accreditation of the Applicator
  • 6. Program of Work
  • 7. Personnel and Inspectors
  • 8. Materials
    • Paint
    • Abrasive
    • Other Materials
  • 9. Coating Systems
  • 10. Surface Preparation
    • General
    • Defects in Previously Painted Surfaces
    • Overcoating of Existing Paint
    • Surface Preparation and Surface Profile
    • Cleaning After Blasting
    • Surface Cleanliness
    • Preparation of Galvanised Surfaces
    • Surface Preparation Records
  • 11. Treatment of Special Areas
    • General
    • Steelwork Embedded into Concrete
  • 12. Paint Application
    • General
    • Pre-Painting Inspection
    • Application Conditions
    • Tools and Equipment
    • Mixing Paints
    • Application of Primer
    • Stripe Coats
    • Crevices and Gaps
    • Painting Trials
    • Paint Application Records
  • 13. Conformity
    • General
    • Definition of a Lot
    • Measurement of Dry Film Thickness
    • Dry Film Thickness Requirements
    • Adhesion
    • Appearance
    • Disposition of Nonconformity
    • Records
  • 14. Handling, Storage, Transport and Erection
    • General
    • Handling
    • Storage
    • Transport
    • During Construction
    • Repair of Damage During Construction
  • 15. Completion
  • Annexure A Summary of Hold Points, Witness Points and Records