3.1 This practice is applicable to galvanized structures exposed to the atmosphere or to plant environments, including buildings, bridges, and industrial plant constructions.

3.2 It provides for the collection of data to document the protection afforded by the galvanized coating.

3.3 Method A for conducting a coating thickness survey aims essentially at an assessment of the general condition of the galvanized structure, at the time of the inspection, by taking thickness measurements on several members of the structure.

3.4 Method B provides for accurate monitoring of the coating thickness decrease as a function of time, at specific locations on the structure, in order to assess the corrosivity of the environment, the effect of orientation, elevation, or other factors.

3.5 Method B is not an alternate procedure to Method A, but is complementary and optional.

1.1 This practice sets forth the procedures for conducting case studies of galvanized installations. It is intended for structural members and other permanent parts of the installation, such as railings and other such fabrications.

1.2 Included in this practice are recommendations for the visual inspection of the galvanized structure, measurement of coating thickness, and reporting of results.

1.3 This specification is applicable to orders in either inch-pound units (as A896) or in SI units (as A896M). Inch-pound units and SI units are not necessarily exact equivalents. Within the text of this specification and where appropriate, SI units are shown in brackets. Each system shall be used independently of the other without combining values in any way.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.