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SSPC QP 9SM Certification
(Standard for Evaluating Qualifications of Painting Contractors Who Apply Architectural Paints and Coatings)
SSPC QP9SM contains requirements for evaluating the qualifications of painting contractors who apply architectural coatings on commercial or institutional structures, and defines a minimum standard for qualification.
The objective of this procedure is to determine if a painting contractor has the management structure; organization structure; qualified personnel; technical capability; quality management system; and safety and environmental compliance programs in order to perform surface preparation and architectural coating application of the required quality under the conditions and restrictions specified by the owner.
The procedure encompasses the application of architectural coatings in the commercial and institutional sectors only. Field industrial or marine protective coating applications on steel structures is covered by the requirements of SSPC-QP 1, "Standard Procedure for Evaluating Qualifications of Painting Contractors." SSPC-QP 3, "Standard Procedures for Evaluating the Qualifications of Shop Painting Applicators", covers painting of steel and miscellaneous metal parts in the shop.
In SSPC QP 9, there are four functional areas that are evaluated:
- Management Procedures
- Technical Capabilities
- Job Quality Procedures
- Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance
These criteria are outlined in depth in Section 3 of the standard itself.
The standard defines four qualification categories. However, SSPC offers "full" certification for Category 1 only and qualification certificates for Categories 2 and 3 for those contractors who do not meet the requirements for full status certification but who wish to obtain "interim" qualification leading eventually to "full" certification (Category 1).
Category 1 - "Full Certification"
Contractor has demonstrated a minimum of five years of successful experience applying architectural paints and coatings in the commercial or institutional property markets and is found to be in compliance with all requirements of this procedure. Category 1 qualification requires both an office and a jobsite audit.
Category 2 - "Qualification"
Contractor has demonstrated a minimum of three years of successful experience applying architectural paints and coatings, in the commercial or institutional property markets and is found to be in compliance with all requirements of this procedure with the exception of full implementation of a Job Quality Monitoring System in the field. Category 2 qualification requires an office audit only.
Category 3
Contractor has a minimum of two years of successful experience applying architectural paints and coatings in the commercial or institutional property markets
and is found to be in compliance with all requirements of this procedure with the exception of development and implementation of a Job Quality Monitoring System and an Environmental Compliance Program in accordance with requirements of Sections 3.3.3 and 3.4.2. A detailed submittal is required to achieve Category 3 qualification. No site audit is required to qualify for this Category.
The one-time qualification period for both Categories 3 and 2 expires after three years. Contractors entering the program at Categories 3 or 2 are expected to advance to the next higher category before the three-year period of their qualification expires. A contractor who has achieved Category 1 qualification is certified for a three-year period with annual audits as determined by SSPC. At the end of this three-year period, the certification term expires and the contractor re-applies for a new three-year term.
How to begin:
To start the QP 9 process, click here to download the initial application form and instructions. Complete the form with and return it to SSPC, along with the appropriate fee. Once the application is accepted an impartial, on-site audit of the contractorís headquarters is used to verify that the programs and practices are in fact implemented and used. Category 1 certification also requires an audit of a minimum of one (preferably several) working jobsites to verify implementation of the requirements of this standard.
The on-site audit criteria can be found in both the application and the Internal Audit Checklist. SSPC suggests that the contractor perform an internal audit using the checklist to be sure all areas of evaluation are addressed prior to an audit.
Links to initial and maintenance application forms, internal audit checklists, and other information can also be found on the Lists, Applications, and Forms page.
How to get a copy:
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