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.
Chris G. Preston, P.E., Group Supervisor
The Environmental and Coatings Group consists of three subgroups:
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 handle coatings issues.
Coatings related Material Procedures (MPs) and Specifications:
- 688.02.20 - Guide for Contractor's and Fabricator's Quality Control Plan for Painting Structural Steel (Replaced MP 615.06.20)
- 688.03.20 Guide for Developing the Contractor's Containment/Disposal Control Plan for Spent Material Prior to Painting Existing Steel Structures
- 708.40.00 Procedure for the Determination of Structural Painting Film Thickness
- 711.00.20 Paint Test Methods
- 711.00.21 Procedure for Approving Paint Formulations and Production Batches
- 711.20.59 Inorganic Zinc Primer Quality Assurance Procedures
- 711.20.60 Intermediate Field Coat for Zinc Rich Systems
- 711.22.22 Zinc Rich Low VOC System
Membership Affiliations:Active member of the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)
http://www.sspc.orgActive member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE INTERNATIONAL)
www.nace.org
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 SubgroupThe 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).
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.
Optical Emission Spectrometer
X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
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.