What HDG Specification Changes Occurred in 2024?

The AGA participates in standards organizations such as ASTM, ANSI, AASHTO, AISC, NSBA, AMPP, CSA, IEEE, and more to represent the interests of the after-fabrication HDG industry and serve as a technical resource. Provided below is a summary of industry standards activity in 2024 including recently published changes. To be the first to know about specification updates or to get involved on the front lines, any AGA member, specifier, or party of general interest can join the effort. If you have any questions about these specification updates or would like to get involved, please contact the AGA Technical Department. AGA members can also explore the members-only Industry Committees Participation site page.

Note: AGA cannot distribute copies of ASTM standards to members or their customers for information or use. Most products produced by a standards organization such as ASTM, ISO, etc. are copyrighted and protected by U.S. and International law. When you download an individual standard or a standards volume, typically there are restrictions on how you can use, share, and distribute the file and its contents. Learn more from AGA about revisions & proper use of galvanizing standards.

ASTM A123/A123M, Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products

This specification revision includes minimum average coating thickness requirements for forgings and castings, a definition for "intended use," a new appendix clarifying common questions regarding the interpretation of Table 1, and new notes to address practical considerations when masking, re-galvanizing, or specifying elevated aesthetics. A detailed summary including background information and rationale are available from the AGA Knowledgebase: 2024 Revision of ASTM A123.

ASTM A384/A384M, Practice for Safeguarding Against Warpage and Distortion During Hot-Dip Galvanizing of Steel Assemblies

This revision includes minor revisions for clarity and introduces the term “progressive dipping”. In paragraph 3.1, the responsible party for reworking sheets susceptible to warpage/distortion was found to be unclear and additional verbiage is proposed to clarify responsibility. Additionally, Paragraph 4.5 is reworded to clarify what is being recommended regarding the hot-dip galvanizing of panel assemblies (sheet pre-welded to frame). The intention is to avoid progressive dipping of such assemblies. If needed, it is possible to galvanize the frame and sheet separately and then assemble the panel sometime after the sheet has been flattened out after galvanizing.

ASTM A767/A767M, Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement

This revision includes minor edits in Paragraph 7 on Finish & Adherence to avoid conflating of the adherence of the initial coating with the performance of the coating during any subsequent fabrication activities by the user. This revision does not change existing requirements, but the information is re-organized to make the requirements easier to understand.

[In Progress] AMPP Guide 21550, Application of Passive Fire Protection over Galvanized Surfaces.

This is a brand new guide from AMPP intended to assist users and specifiers of epoxy passive fire protection (EPFP) systems with preparing and inspecting hot dipped (HDG) surfaces prior to EPFP application. There are unique challenges compared to other duplex systems. A final draft of this guide was balloted and passed in July 2024 but contained several comments. As of November 2024, the comments are still being addressed and/or delegated to the task group to determine if re-balloting is necessary. AGA is hopeful for publishing in 2025.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The following HDG-related standards are up for review in 2025 or significant reviews are ongoing. Please contact Alana Fossa if you have revisions for consideration before April 2025:

• ASTM A143/A143M, Practice for Safeguarding Against Embrittlement of Hot-Dip Galvanized Structural Steel Products and Procedure for Detecting Embrittlement
• ASTM A780/A780M, Practice for Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings
• ASTM D7803, Practice for Preparation of Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coated Iron and Steel Product and Hardware Surfaces for Powder Coating
• AMPP SP 16, Brush-Off Blast Cleaning of Coated and Uncoated Galvanized Steel, Stainless Steels, and Non-Ferrous Metals
• AMPP NACE SP21459/IEE 2655, Atmospheric Above Grade Inspection and Assessment of Corrosion on Steel Electrical Transmission, Distribution, and Substation Structures

Updating Your Galvanizing Industry Standards

For more information on keeping your galvanizing standards up to date, see our Knowledgebase article on Revisions & Proper Use of Galvanizing Standards (Specifications).