This European Standard constitutes guidelines containing general recommendations on the corrosion protection of iron and steel structures, including connections, by zinc or aluminium coatings. Particular reference is made to hot dip coating and thermal spraying on hot-rolled steel or cold-formed steel but these recommendations also apply to other zinc coatings (electroplating, mechanical coating, sherardizing, etc.). Initial protection is covered in relation to:

• available standard processes;
• design considerations; and
• environments of use.

These guidelines also consider the influence of the initial choice of aluminium or zinc coating in relation to the subsequent application of paint or powder coatings.

These guidelines provide general recommendations and do not deal with the maintenance of corrosion protection in service for steel with zinc or aluminium coatings; maintenance of corrosion protection will be covered in a separate document (see ISO 12944-5).

Requirements specific to each type of metallic coating form the subject of specific standards. Requirements for metallic coatings which are applied in the factory to certain products and which constitute an integral part of those products (e.g. nails, fasteners, ductile iron pipes) are given in the corresponding product standards.