Saw this come across from the Paint Square’s Journal of Protective Coatings newsletter, so we pass it on to help educate and keep you informed…

how will this effect deck coatings? Not sure, we’ll see and report on this later.

The California Air Resources Board published its revised Suggested Control Measure (SCM), or model rule, for architectural and industrial (AIM) coatings on February 13, 2008. The SCM classifies AIM coatings into four categories: “Flat,” “Nonflat,” “Nonflat-High Gloss,” and “Specialty.” The specialty category includes industrial maintenance coatings, faux finishing coatings, fire-resistive coatings, and more than 30 others. The SCM was approved in late 2007.

A replacement to CARB’s 2000 SCM, the revised document sets VOC levels for flat coatings, nonflat, and nonflat high-gloss coatings at 50,100, and 150 g/L, respectively. However, for the specialty category, the agency has set most VOC limits above those of the other categories. For example, CARB set a VOC level of 250 g/L for industrial maintenance coatings, 340 g/L for zinc-rich primers, 350 g/L for faux finishing coatings, and 350 g/L for fire-resistive coatings.

The SCM is not a regulation. CARB develops SCMs to give California’s 35 air quality control districts guidance to set their own regulations. Any of the air quality control districts can adopt or modify the SCM as needed to reduce smog. A CARB SCM goes into effect as a regulation only in districts that adopt or adapt it.

To read the entire rule and accompanying information, go to http://www.arb.ca.gov/coatings/arch/docs.htm.