Environmental/Coatings Group

Mission Statement:

As part of the MCS & T Division, the Environmental/Coatings Group exists to promote public safety by setting, and enforcing standards through materials testing, and training for the West Virginia Department of Transportation in a professional, competent, accurate, and consistent manner.

Group Supervisor: Chris G. Preston, P.E.
Chris.G.Preston@wv.gov

Organizational Structure

The Environmental and Coatings Group is divided into three primary subgroups, each managing distinct aspects of infrastructure chemistry and environmental stewardship:

1. Coatings Subgroup
2. Environmental Site Investigation Subgroup
3. Chemical Laboratory Subgroup

Coatings Subgroup

The primary function of the Coatings Subgroup is to conduct chemical and physical testing on paint samples, review and approve quality control plans for painting projects, and manage coating-related technical issues. As it turns out, watching paint dry is actually a highly technical engineering feat when it is protecting a major bridge structure.

Contact: Calvin Ratchford, Transportation Engineering Technician, Senior
Calvin.W.Ratchford@wv.gov

Material Procedures (MPs) and Specifications

• MP 688.02.20 - Quality Control Plan for Painting Structural Steel
• MP 688.03.20 - Containment/Disposal Control Plan for Spent Material
• MP 708.40.00 - Determination of Structural Painting Film Thickness
• MP 711.00.20 - Paint Test Methods
• MP 711.00.21 - Approving Paint Formulations and Production Batches
• MP 711.20.59 - Inorganic Zinc Primer Quality Assurance Procedures
• MP 711.20.60 - Intermediate Field Coat for Zinc Rich Systems
• MP 711.22.22 - Zinc Rich Low VOC System

Technical Publications:
Standard Specifications Roads and Bridges | 2014 Supplemental Specifications

Industry Links:
Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) | NACE International | IHS Markit

Accreditation:

The Paint Laboratory participates in the AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL) Paint Proficiency Sample Program and the Collaborative Testing Services (CTS) - Inter -Laboratory Program for testing Color, Appearance, and 60 Degree Gloss on paint samples to evaluate the division’s competency in regard to testing of paint samples.

Environmental Site Investigations Subgroup

The Environmental Site Investigation Subgroup is responsible for conducting environmental site investigations at the WVDOH maintenance facilities to address environmental concerns in regard to the following sources of contaminations associated with the WVDOH maintenance facilities throughout the state:

• Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
• Salt shed areas
• Tar tanks
• Spill of fuel

Also assists districts personal in sampling and testing petroleum products (motor oil, gasoline, and diesel fuels) and alternative fuel (ethanol blend - E-10, and biodiesel blend– B5).

Contact: Sajid Barlas, Highway Engineer Trainee
Phone: (304) 558-7474 | Sajid.M.barlas@wv.gov

This subgroup works closely with the WVDEP through their federally mandated programs such as:
The Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP)
The Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) Program
The Uniform Environmental Covenant Act
The Above Ground Storage Tanks Regulations (AST)

Chemical Laboratory Subgroup

The Chemical Laboratory Subgroup conducts chemical analysis on metals, various types of cement, pozzolanic additives such (fly ash, Ground granulated blast furnace slag, microsilica, natural pozzolans), and chloride samples.

Contacts:
Mike Jones, Chemist III | Phone: (304) 558-9899 | Mike.R.Jones@wv.gov
Carlos Semple, Chemist III | Phone: (304) 558-9867 | Carlos.Semple@wv.gov

Accreditation:
The Chemical Laboratory participates in the National Inter- Laboratory cross check programs such as the CCRL Portland Cement and Concrete Sample Program, the AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory (AMRL), and the ASTM Proficiency Test Program for chemical analysis of Plain Carbon and Low Alloy Steel.