Coating and Painting SAES-H-100; APCS-5A/B

Aramco QC Notes Level-15

Coating Reference Standard
Initial Product Approval
Purchase Requisitions/Purchase Orders
Periodic Product Compliance Checks
Conflicts and Deviations

Coating and Painting SAES-H-100; APCS-5A/B

Saudi Aramco is the world’s largest oil company and maintains arguably the most comprehensive coating specification system for protection of its assets. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards (SAESs) list Approved Protective Coating Systems (APCSs) for different applications:

✅ Coating Reference Standard

SAES-H-001 -Selection Requirements for Industrial Coating
SAES-H-100 -Painting Requirements for Industrial Facilities (Coating Materials & Application Requirements)
SAES-H-101- Approved Protective Coating Systems
SAES-H-002 -Internal and External Coatings for Steel Pipelines and Piping
SAES-H-003 -Protective Coatings for Industrial Concrete Structures
SAES-H-004 -Coating Selection and Application Requirements for Offshore Structures
APCS -Approved Protective Coating Systems
ASTM A123 -Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel

APCS-3 for tank with maximum operating temperature of 70C (158F)
APCS-113 for higher operation temperature
Tank number and content shall be painted in English and Arabic at 90* around the tanks

Each of the APCSs specifies what testing protocol or material specification is required for qualification of individual products for each type of coating and various environments or exposures. Collectively these material specifications are known as the Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification (SAMSS).

For example, SAES-H-004 specifies 09-SAMSS-089 “Qualification Requirements for Shop-Applied Exterior FBE Coatings” for the surface preparation and coating application requirements of several FBE Coatings covered by multiple APCSs. APCS-104A is for external coating of pipelines and piping. APCS-104B is for external coating of high temperature pipelines and pipes. APCS-104C is for UV resistant, dual layer FBE coating of pipelines and pipes.

KTA is an approved laboratory for qualification testing of coatings for Saudi Aramco. Submission applications are reviewed and approved by Saudi Aramco prior to testing. Please contact KTA for details on what coating classes are currently open for submissions and how to apply to submit samples for testing.

Thermal Insulating Coatings (APCS-5A/B)

APCS-5A is an external heat radiant insulating coating system up to 350 F (177 C). It is used to reduce the solar heat transfer into storage tanks, vessels and piping or other equipment. It can reduce the stored hydrocarbon temperature and the cooling water system. It can be used as an external coating for petroleum tanks to reduce the stock temperature, save inventory and minimize the hydrocarbon evaporation and air pollution.

APCS-5B is hot thermal insulating coating system for carbon steel and stainless steel service operating up to 500 F (260 C). It is an alternative system to the conventional bulk insulations for energy conservation in hot services. It can be applied for personal protection on hot piping, valves, tanks, vessels, column and heat transfer equipment.

These coatings system shall be used when any of the following situations occur:

✅ Initial Product Approval

This specification shall be given to coating manufacturers, or other vendors of coating products, that wish to obtain initial approval for products that have not previously been qualified for use by Saudi Aramco.

✅ Purchase Requisitions/Purchase Orders

This specification shall be attached to Purchase Requisitions or Purchase Orders when those documents address the procurement of coating products that have not been previously qualified for use by Saudi Aramco.
This specification does not apply and should not be included with Purchase orders or requisitions for coating products that have been previously qualified per this specification. This specification should also not be included with purchase orders or requisitions for coated items or equipment when a Saudi Aramco approved protective coating system has been specified.

✅ Periodic Product Compliance Checks

This specification may be used for periodic product compliance checks on previously approved coatings. It shall be given to the organization conducting the compliance tests.

✅ Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs), Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.