How Well Do You Know the PDCA Standards?
Of the many phone calls I receive on PDCA’s technical hotline, most of them are questions about how PDCA standards address specific situations. This article will test your knowledge and perhaps indicate that brushing up on the standards will be worthwhile.
Which of the following conditions is not a requirement of a properly painted surface:
- A. uniform in appearance and color
- B. free of foreign material
- C. has at least three coats of paint
- D. free of drips, spatters, spills and overspray
The correct answer is C. Standard P1 states A “Properly painted surface” is defined as uniform in appearance, color, texture, hiding and sheen. It is also free of foreign material, lumps, skins, runs, sags, holidays, misses, or insufficient coverage. It is also a surface free of drips, spatters, spills or overspray .caused by the Painting and Decorating Contractor’s workforce.
The number of coats is not included in the description of a properly painted surface.
Which of the following conditions indicate proper wallcovering installation?
- A. Pattern match is achieved
- B. Adhesion is complete
- C. No excess residue on surface
- D. Does any texture of underlying substrate
- E. Free of visible shrinkage
PDCA standard P6 states Wallcovering is deemed properly installed when:
Adhesion is complete with no loose or curling edges, lifting seams, air bubbles or paste bumps. Pattern match is achieved. Wallcovering is installed plumb or square.
Wallcovering is free from visible shrinkage. Seams are properly trimmed, with no frayed edges, allowing for pattern match and without evidence of excessive pressure that would score the substrate and affect adhesion. Wallcovering surface is free from adhesive residue. Color shading is inherent in natural and simulated natural materials and should be expected.
Therefore, the correct answer is A,B, C, and E
Which of the following conditions should be in place prior to the performance of interior painting?
- A. All cabinet’s hardware, and other prefinished materials should be installed.
- B. Permanent lighting or temporary lighting simulating permanent lighting should be installed.
- C. The exterior temperature and humidity levels should be simulated in the interior of the building.
- D. The structure should be weather-tight.
According to PDCA standard P7, the following requirements, supplied by others, must be in place prior to the start of work in order to ensure a successful installation by the Painting and Decorating Contractor:
The structure shall be weather-tight including doors, windows, floors, and roofing.
Permanent or temporary HVAC system shall maintain temperature and humidity levels within the guidelines set forth and approved by the materials suppliers of the products specified. Unless otherwise agreed, permanent lighting, or temporary lighting comparable in intensity to the permanent lighting, shall be supplied. If temporary lighting is not comparable to the permanent lighting, inspections shall occur under the temporary lighting. However, surface deficiencies noted upon installation of permanent lighting shall be considered latent damage.
The correct answer is B and D.
Which of the following joints are NOT implied to be a part of the painting and decorating contractor’s work?
- A. The exterior perimeter of windows
- B. Joints between stained wood members
- C. Joints wider than ½ inch
- D. None of the above
The correct answer is D. PDCA standard P11 says that the only joints implied to be a part of the Painting and Decorating Contractors work is limited to those between wood and/or wood composite materials, and between wood and/or wood composite materials and painted wall or ceiling substrates such as gypsum drywall, plaster, or similar surfaces; in certain geographic areas, caulking of painted hollow metal members to painted wall surfaces is also included.
Which of the following items is the Painting and Decorating Contractor obligated to supply at project close out?
- A. Attic Stock or extra materials as required by the contract documents.
- B. A schedule of paint and wallcovering finishes as required by the contract documents.
- C. Invoices of all materials purchased for the project.
- D. Maintenance instructions as required by the contract documents.
- E. Warrantees as required by the contract documents.
PDCA standard P20 requires the Painting and Decorating Contractor to supply all items except C. Submitting invoices is not required.
You are working on a project where the general contractor has removed old wallcovering and your contract is to paint these walls. Is it your responsibility to perform any necessary patching and to remove and wallcovering adhesive residue?
Unless directly specified otherwise, the answer is no. PDCA standard P16 states that the entity that removes wallcovering prior to repainting should perform the following work functions:
"All wallcovering material will be physically removed from designated surfaces. All wallcovering adhesive shall be removed from the surfaces to be subsequently painted.
When wallcovering is removed by an entity other than the Painting and Decorating Contractor, sanding of the adhesive in lieu of removal is not acceptable as surface preparation. Any mildew, other organic material, or other contaminant present on the surface after the wallcovering is removed shall be eradicated in a manner consistent with the specific contaminant. Surfaces from which wallcovering is physically removed are often damaged during the removal process. All required patching, filling, floating, or replacement of surfaces (including finish quality sanding) shall be a part of the scope of work of wallcovering removal. It is recognized that the extent of the work operations necessary to complete substrate repair is usually not foreseeable until the wallcovering has been removed. For this reason, it is recommended that substrate repair be accomplished on a time and material basis. The materials used for patching, filling, floating, or replacement must have sufficient adhesive and cohesive strengths to support the paint system specified to be applied.
The PDCA standards define the quality of work to be expected and define work scope responsibilities. Incorporating them in your contracts and proposals will eliminate disputes and promote harmony with your customers.
