INDUSTRIAL COATINGS

Industrial Maintenance (IM) coating means a high performance architectural coating, including primers, sealers, undercoaters, intermediate coats, and topcoats formulated and recommended for application to substrates exposed to one or more of the following extreme environmental conditions in an industrial, commercial, or institutional setting:

(1) Immersion in water, wastewater, or chemical solutions (aqueous and non-aqueous solutions), or chronic exposure of interior surfaces to moisture condensation;

(2) Acute or chronic exposure to corrosive, caustic, or acidic agents, or to chemicals, chemical fumes, or chemical mixtures or solutions;

(3) Repeated exposure to temperatures above 120 °C (250 °F);

(4) Repeated (frequent) heavy abrasion, including mechanical wear and repeated (frequent) scrubbing with industrial solvents, cleansers, or scouring agents;

or (5) Exterior exposure of metal structures and structural components.

One of the primary ways AIM rules distinguish IM coatings from other architectural coatings is the manufacturer’s recommendation for restricted usage. IM coatings must be labeled under the rules as:

(1) ‘‘For industrial use only.’’

(2) ‘‘For professional use only.’’

(3) ‘‘Not for residential use’’ or ‘‘Not intended for residential use.”

Thus, if the product is not intended for and not labeled as an IM coating, it should be deemed a covered architectural coating and the fee should be assessed, unless it is specifically excluded.