PAINTING INSPECTION GRADE‐2 P‐1

Q1 A 'Compliant' coating is one that complies with the requirements of:

A. The Health and Safety at Work Act
B. The COSHH Regulations
C. The Contract Requirements
D. The Environmental Protection Act

Q2 When measuring: acidity and alkalinity, distilled water has a pH value of:
A. 1 B) 3.5 to 4.5 C) 7 D) 7.5 to 8.5

Q3 Paint Systems: Properties and Performance Requirements, as detailed in PA9, paint

testing is mostly carried out according to which British Standard?
A. BS 729 B) BS 5493 C) BS 3900 D) BS 6072

Q4 Most tips used on airless spray equipment are “Reversible”, that is so that:
A. Tip Life is prolonged B) Costs can be kept down
C) Blockages can be cleaned D) All of the above

Q5 What is the volume of paint required to cover a circular area of 15 metres radius if the
material has a specified" WFT of 176um?
A. 76.38 litres B) 124.40 litres C) 214.34 litres D)312.56 litres

Q6 An additive that gives a paint material its „opacity‟ is:

A. A plasticizer B) A thixotrope C) A stabilizer D) A pigment

Q7 Which of the following is considered to be a “Laminar Pigment”?

A. Mica B) Coal tar C) Zinc chromate D) Red lead

Q8 Dew point is defined as: „the temperature at which the water vapour present in the Air
…………..‟
A) Will evaporate B) Will condense C) Will dry D) Will cause osmotic blisters

Q9 As defined by National Grid / Transco, the "Engineer" is the person on site who is:

A. Appointed by a contractor and notified in writing to a client

B. Appointed by a client and notified to a contractor
C. Responsible for compiling site records
D. Delegates the compilation of site records to a contractor

Q10 which of the following substrates are not dealt with in table SPA6 of PA10?
A. Concrete
B. Stainless steel
C. Galvanised surfaces
D. They are all dealt with under that section

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 1 of 56

Q11 During the corrosion reaction, the cathode primarily contains:
A. Negative iron ions, dissociated from the electrolyte
B. Positive iron protons, dissociated from the electrolyte
C. Positive electrons, dissociated from the electrolyte
D. Negative protons, dissociated from the electrolyte

Q12 Rust inhibitive primers operate by:

A. Oxidation to protect the substrate B) Pigmentation
C) Passivation D) Direct encapsulation

Q13 The correct voltage setting for a wet sponge detector over a coating with a DFT of 265um
is:
A. 9 volts B) 67.5volts C) 90 volts D) 125 volts

Q14 A newly galvanised substrate has a surface:

A. Where a cohesive oxide layer has not been formed, and which exhibits a dull
appearance lacking in metallic sheen
B. On which a cohesive oxide layer has been formed and which exhibits a dull appearance
lacking in metallic sheen
C. Where a cohesive oxide layer has not been formed, showing a bright metallic sheen
D. Where a cohesive oxide layer has been formed, showing a bright metallic sheen

Q15 What are the total paint system DFT requirements for the 2 preferred systems in table
SPA le of PA10:
A. 255 and 225 microns B) 265 and 235 microns
C) 265 and 225 microns D) 255 and 235 microns

Q16 Which British standard covers the colour coding of pipe work?
A. BS 5252 B) BS1710 C) BS 4800 D) BS 3900

Q17 In accordance with PA 10 table SPA 3c, where T.S.A or I.Z.S have been used as the
preferred coating for surfaces operating above 340OC:
A. They should be cured by a chemical reaction
B. The coating must be immediately heated to 340°C
C. They should be sealed with Polysiloxane inorganic coating
D. They must he farther protected by the application of silicone sealer

Q18 „Aerobic conditions‟ would refer to the highest proportion of which of the following?
A. Hydrogen B) Oxygen C) Nitrogen D) Water

Q19 Which of the following is NOT an example of a direct charge mill?

A. A single roll mill B) A ball mill
C) An attritor mill D) A high speed disperser

Q20 A test that uses glass beads to confirm the drying time of paint, is called:
A. The Gold Leaf test B) The Stylus test
C) The Ballotini test D) The Cryptometer test

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 2 of 56

 PAINTING INSPECTION – GRADE – 2 P‐2
Q1 „Wet Abrasive‟ blast cleaning of a surface should be followed by „Dry‟ abrasive blast
cleaning:
A. Only as directed by the engineer
B. To remove the surface profile created by the wet process
C. Because the immediate oxidation of the substrate after wet blasting must be removed
D. Does not need to be carried out if water sensitive paint systems are used

Q2 How is the "Brightness'' of a colour identified in BS 4800?

A. By numbers 0-24 B) By numbers 01-56 C) By letters A-E D) By letters E-M

Q3 The relevant paint application information for any particular paint product, such as paint
spray tip sizes, pressure recommendations etc. are generally found:
A. On the paint containers B) In the project specification
B. On the product data sheet D) In the British Standards

Q4 The most common type of thermally sprayed material for hot duty applications is:
A. Zinc B) Graphite C) Silicon D) Aluminium

Q5 All mechanical damage, such as surface laminations and sharp edges, observed on a
substrate should be:
A. Immediately removed by careful grinding
B. Carefully removed by means of ‘spark-free’ power brushes
C. Reported to the site engineer, for his assessment
D. They will be normally be removed during the blasting operations

Q6 Where defect removal has been carried out, the areas concerned shall be:
A) Sprayed B) Re-blasted C) Separately primed D) Brush painted

Q7 Dry film thickness assessment of a paint film containing M.I.O can be carried out:
A. Using a Tinsley Pencil film thickness gauge B) By use of a calibrated
eccentric wheel
C) By readings taken using the Paint Inspections Gauge D) By using a banana gauge

Q8 In accordance with PA 10 section 32, paint application by roller, is:

A) Not allowed B) Highly desirable for large areas C) Only to be used for
primer coats on blast cleaned surfaces D) Not recommended

Q9 An anode becomes positively charged by:

A) Releasing protons to the cathode B) Releasing electrons to the cathode
C) Receiving atoms from the cathode D) None of the above+

Q10 In the Galvanic List, which of the following materials has the highest known average
potential value?

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 3 of 56

 A) Millscale B) Copper C) Zinc D) Graphite

Q11 The use of a sealer to improve performance and prolong the coating Life, is associated
with which of the following coating systems?
A) Polysiloxane B) Polyurethane
C) Thermal metal spraying D) Electrostatic spraying

Q12 Enclosed blasting chambers are used because:

A) They protect other people and equipment from blast scatter. B) They are cheap to set up
C) They provide an adequate surface profile. D) They normally use expendable abrasives

Q13 Which additive in paint helps to prevent film cracking in use?

A) A plasticizer B) A thixotrope C) A stabilizer D)
An extender
Q14 Which paint constituent can be found in powder form?
A) The binder B) The driers C) The solvent D) The anti skinning agent

Q15 Which of the following is NOT considered as a “Laminar Pigment”?

A) Graphite B) Coal tar C) MICA D) M.I.O

Q16 A paint said to have „good opacity‟ will:

A) Have low permeability B) Have good hiding power
C) Have a low CPVC D) Have a low minimum gloss value

Q17 A device used to measure the degree of dispersion of paint is called:

A) A glossmeter B) A cryptometer
C) A paint inspectors gauge D) A Hegman grind gauge

Q18 A „Wheelabrator‟ is:

A. A portable item of blasting equipment used on site
B. Used during the manufacture of paint
C. Is an enclosed, centrifugal blasting chamber
D. A measurement of paint viscosity

Q19 Bi metallic corrosion causes:

A. Causes a material of a higher nobility to corrode faster
B. Causes a material of a the same nobility to corrode faster
C. Causes a material of a lower nobility to corrode faster
D. Causes a material containing carbon to corrode faster

Q20 What DFT should be achievable if paint with a volume solids content of 54% is applied to
WFT
of 135um?
A) 65um B) 72.9um C) 75um D) 82.9um

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 4 of 56

 PAINTING INSPECTOR GRADE– 2 PAPER‐3
Q1 A surface comparator is used to:
A) Measure the surface profile of a blast cleaned substrate
B) Compare the cleanliness of a blast cleaned surface
C) Assess the roughness of a blast cleaned profile
D) Record the peak to trough height of a blast cleaned profile

Q2 How is the „Hue‟ of a colour identified in BS 4800?

A) By numbers 0-24 B) By numbers 01-56 C) By letters A-E D) By letters E-M

Q3 Minimum WFT and DFT recommendations for paint application, and advice on the
addition of thinners etc., can be found:
A) On the lable of the paint containers B) In the project specification
C) On the manufacturer’s product data sheet D) In BS 7079 part A

Q4 A common system for applying „Hot Metal Spray‟ coating is:

A) Conventional spray ‘gravity cup’
B) A gun containing fuel gas, oxygen and compressed air
C) High pressure airless spray system
D) Plural component pumps and gun

Q5 All surface breaking laminations observed on a substrate shall be:

A) Reported to the welding inspector immediately
B) Removed by chipping hammer under the supervision of the blasting foreman
C) Removed by grinding with the agreement of the engineer
D) Removed by sharp edged scraper with the permission of the safety manager

Q6 Which of the following would NOT be classed as a natural oil?

A) Copal B) Tall C) Linseed D) Tung

Q7 Dry film thickness measurement using a banana gauge can be carried out on the
following:
A) Zinc galvanized surfaces which have been painted
B) Painted aluminum substrates
C) Any paint containing MIO pigments
D) None of the above

Q8 For the WFT measurement of a non-ferrous coating on a carbon steel pipe, which of the
following methods
would be acceptable?
A) Banana gauge B) Eccentric wheel used longitudinally
C) Comb gauge used circumferentially C) Eccentric wheel used circumferentially

Q9 An anode becomes positively charged by:

A) Releasing electrons B) Releasing protons C) Releasing charged atoms D) None
of the above

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 5 of 56

Q10 In the Galvanic List, which of the following materials has the „lowest known average
potential value‟?
A) Aluminium B) Copper C) Zinc D) Graphite

Q11 The use of a sealer to improve performance and prolong coating life, is associated with
which of the following
coating systems?
A) Polysioxane B) Polyurethane C) Inorganic Zinc Silicate
D) Electrostatic spraying

Q12 Enclosed blasting chambers are used because:

A) They protect other personnel and equipment from abrasive blast scatter
B) They are relatively portable and inexpensive to set up
C) They enable working in ‘clean conditions’
D) They normally use expendable abrasives

Q13 Which of the following is added to paint to prevent settlement during storage?
A) A plasticizer
B) A thixotrope
C) A stabilizer
D) A Drier

Q14 Which of the following can be used to measure viscosity?

A) A pyknometer B) An aspirated Psychorometer C) An ‘Abel’ closed cup D)
A Zahn Cup

Q15 Which of the following is not considered as a „Laminar Pigment‟?

A) Glass flake B) Mica C) Slate Flour D) M.I.O.

Q16 A paint said to possess low opacity will:

A) Have low permeability B) Have low hiding power
C) Contain laminar pigments D) Have a minimum gloss value

Q17 The equipment used to measure the hiding ability of paint is called:
A) A reflectometer B) A grind gauge C) A psychrometer D) A
cryptometer

Q18 A Wheelabrator is :
A) A portable item of blasting equipment used on site
B) A direct charge mill used during the manufacture of paint
C) A centrifugal blasting unit
D) A rotational viscosity measuring equipment

Q19 Bi metallic corrosion:

A) Only occurs when two identical materials are in close promimity
B) Causes accelerated corrosion to the material with the higher nobility
C) Has no significant effect on the rate of corrosion of either material
D) Causes accelerated corrosion of the material with the lower nobility

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 6 of 56

Q20 What volume of 100% VS paint would be required to coat the external shell of a storage
tank
(19 metres diameter and height of 8 metres), to a WFT of 175um?
A) 52.34 litres B) 98.59 litres C) 83.57 litres D) 107.87 litres

PAINTING INSPECTION GRADE‐2 P‐1

Q1 A 'Compliant' coating is one that complies with the requirements of:
A. The Health and Safety at Work Act
B. The COSHH Regulations
C. The Contract Requirements
D. The Environmental Protection Act

Q2 When measuring: acidity and alkalinity, distilled water has a pH value of:
A. 1 B) 3.5 to 4.5 C) 7 D) 7.5 to 8.5

Q3 Paint Systems: Properties and Performance Requirements, as detailed in PA9, paint

testing is mostly carried out according to which British Standard?
A. BS 729 B) BS 5493 C) BS 3900 D) BS 6072

Q4 Most tips used on airless spray equipment are “Reversible”, that is so that:
A. Tip Life is prolonged B) Costs can be kept down
C) Blockages can be cleaned D) All of the above

Q5 What is the volume of paint required to cover a circular area of 15 metres radius if the
material has a specified" WFT of 176um?
A. 76.38 litres B) 124.40 litres C) 214.34 litres D)
312.56 litres+

Q6 An additive that gives a paint material its „opacity‟ is:

A. A plasticizer B) A thixotrope C) A stabilizer D) A pigment

Q7 Which of the following is considered to be a “Laminar Pigment”?

A. Mica B) Coal tar C) Zinc chromate D) Red lead

Q8 Dew point is defined as: „the temperature at which the water vapour present in the Air
…………..‟
A) Will evaporate B) Will condense C) Will dry D) Will cause osmotic
blisters

Q9 As defined by National Grid / Transco, the "Engineer" is the person on site who is:

A. Appointed by a contractor and notified in writing to a client

B. Appointed by a client and notified to a contractor
C. Responsible for compiling site records
D. Delegates the compilation of site records to a contractor

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 7 of 56

Q10 which of the following substrates are not dealt with in table SPA6 of PA10?
A. Concrete
B. Stainless steel
C. Galvanised surfaces
D. They are all dealt with under that section

Q11 During the corrosion reaction, the cathode primarily contains:

A. Negative iron ions, dissociated from the electrolyte
B. Positive iron protons, dissociated from the electrolyte
C. Positive electrons, dissociated from the electrolyte
D. Negative protons, dissociated from the electrolyte

Q12 Rust inhibitive primers operate by:

A. Oxidation to protect the substrate B) Pigmentation
C) Passivation D) Direct encapsulation

Q13 The correct voltage setting for a wet sponge detector over a coating with a DFT of
265um is:
A. 9 volts B) 67.5volts C) 90 volts D) 125 volts

Q14 A newly galvanised substrate has a surface:

A. Where a cohesive oxide layer has not been formed, and which exhibits a dull appearance
lacking in metallic sheen
B. On which a cohesive oxide layer has been formed and which exhibits a dull appearance
lacking in metallic sheen
C. Where a cohesive oxide layer has not been formed, showing a bright metallic sheen
D. Where a cohesive oxide layer has been formed, showing a bright metallic sheen

Q15 What are the total paint system DFT requirements for the 2 preferred systems in table
SPA le of PA10:
A. 255 and 225 microns B) 265 and 235 microns
C) 265 and 225 microns D) 255 and 235 microns

Q16 Which British standard covers the colour coding of pipe work?
A. BS 5493 B) BS1710 C) BS 6072 D) BS 3900

Q17 In accordance with PA 10 table SPA 3c, where T.S.A or I.Z.S have been used as the
preferred coating for surfaces operating above 340OC:
A. They should be cured by a chemical reaction
B. The coating must be immediately heated to 340°C
C. They should be sealed with Polysiloxane inorganic coating
D. They must he farther protected by the application of silicone sealer

Q18 „Aerobic conditions‟ would refer to the highest proportion of which of the following?
A. Hydrogen B) Oxygen C) Nitrogen D) Water

Q19 Which of the following is NOT an example of a direct charge mill?

A. A single roll mill B) A ball mill
C) An attritor mill D) A high speed disperser

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 8 of 56

Q20 A test that uses glass beads to confirm the drying time of paint, is called:
A. The Gold Leaf test B) The Stylus test
C) The Ballotini test D) The Cryptometer test

PAINTING INSPECTION – GRADE – 2 P‐2

Q1 „Wet Abrasive‟ blast cleaning of a surface should be followed by „Dry‟ abrasive blast
cleaning:
A. Only as directed by the engineer
B. To remove the surface profile created by the wet process
C. Because the immediate oxidation of the substrate after wet blasting must be removed
D. Does not need to be carried out if water sensitive paint systems are used

Q2 How is the "Brightness'' of a colour identified in BS 4800?

A. By numbers 0-24 B) By numbers 01-56 C) By letters A-E D) By letters E-M

Q3 The relevant paint application information for any particular paint product, such as
paint spray tip sizes, pressure recommendations etc. are generally found:
A. On the paint containers B) In the project specification
C. On the product data sheet D) In the British Standards

Q4 The most common type of thermally sprayed material for hot duty applications is:
A. Zinc B) Graphite C) Silicon D) Aluminium

Q5 All mechanical damage, such as surface laminations and sharp edges, observed on a
substrate should be:
A. Immediately removed by careful grinding
B. Carefully removed by means of ‘spark-free’ power brushes
C. Reported to the site engineer, for his assessment
D. They will be normally be removed during the blasting operations

Q6 Where defect removal has been carried out, the areas concerned shall be:
A) Sprayed B) Re-blasted C) Separately primed D) Brush painted

Q7 Dry film thickness assessment of a paint film containing M.I.O can be carried out:
B. Using a Tinsley Pencil film thickness gauge B) By use of a calibrated
eccentric wheel
D) By readings taken using the Paint Inspections Gauge D) By using a banana
gauge

Q8 In accordance with PA 10 section 32, paint application by roller, is:

B) Not allowed B) Highly desirable for
large areas
C) Only to be used for primer coats on blast cleaned surfaces D) Not
recommended

Q9 An anode becomes positively charged by:

A) Releasing protons to the cathode B) Releasing electrons to the cathode

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 9 of 56

 C) Receiving atoms from the cathode D) None of the above+

Q10 In the Galvanic List, which of the following materials has the highest known average
potential value?
B) Millscale B) Copper C) Zinc D) Graphite

Q11 The use of a sealer to improve performance and prolong the coating Life, is associated
with which of the following coating systems?
A) Polysiloxane B) Polyurethane
C) Thermal metal spraying D) Electrostatic spraying

Q12 Enclosed blasting chambers are used because:

A) They protect other people and equipment from blast scatter B) They are cheap to set
up
C) They provide an adequate surface profile D) They normally use expendable
abrasives

Q13 Which additive in paint helps to prevent film cracking in use?

B) A plasticizer B) A thixotrope C) A stabilizer D)
An extender
Q14 Which paint constituent can be found in powder form?
A) The binder B) The driers C) The solvent D) The anti skinning agent

Q15 Which of the following is NOT considered as a “Laminar Pigment”?

A) Graphite B) Coal tar C) MICA D) M.I.O

Q16 A paint said to have „good opacity‟ will:

A) Have low permeability B) Have good hiding power
C) Have a low CPVC D) Have a low minimum gloss value

Q17 A device used to measure the degree of dispersion of paint is called:

A) A glossmeter B) A cryptometer
C) A paint inspectors gauge D) A Hegman grind gauge

Q18 A „Wheelabrator‟ is:

E. A portable item of blasting equipment used on site
F. Used during the manufacture of paint
G. Is an enclosed, centrifugal blasting chamber
H. A measurement of paint viscosity

Q19 Bi metallic corrosion causes:

E. Causes a material of a higher nobility to corrode faster
F. Causes a material of a the same nobility to corrode faster
G. Causes a material of a lower nobility to corrode faster H.
Causes a material containing carbon to corrode faster

Q20 What DFT should be achievable if paint with a volume solids content of 54% is applied
to WFT
of 135um?
A) 65um B) 72.9um C) 75um D) 82.9um

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 10 of 56

 PAINTING INSPECTOR GRADE– 2 PAPER‐3
Q1 A surface comparator is used to:
E) Measure the surface profile of a blast cleaned substrate
F) Compare the cleanliness of a blast cleaned surface
G) Assess the roughness of a blast cleaned profile
H) Record the peak to trough height of a blast cleaned profile

Q2 How is the „Hue‟ of a colour identified in BS 4800?

B) By numbers 0-24 B) By numbers 01-56 C) By letters A-E D) By letters E-
M

Q3 Minimum WFT and DFT recommendations for paint application, and advice on the
addition of thinners etc.,
can be found:
A) On the lable of the paint containers B) In the project specification
C) On the manufacturer’s product data sheet D) In BS 7079 part A

Q4 A common system for applying „Hot Metal Spray‟ coating is:

E) Conventional spray ‘gravity cup’
F) A gun containing fuel gas, oxygen and compressed air
G) High pressure airless spray system
H) Plural component pumps and gun

Q5 All surface breaking laminations observed on a substrate shall be:

E) Reported to the welding inspector immediately
F) Removed by chipping hammer under the supervision of the blasting foreman
G) Removed by grinding with the agreement of the engineer
H) Removed by sharp edged scraper with the permission of the safety manager

Q6 Which of the following would NOT be classed as a natural oil?

B) Copal B) Tall C) Linseed D) Tung

Q7 Dry film thickness measurement using a banana gauge can be carried out on the
following:
E) Zinc galvanized surfaces which have been painted
F) Painted aluminum substrates
G) Any paint containing MIO pigments
H) None of the above

Q8 For the WFT measurement of a non-ferrous coating on a carbon steel pipe, which of
the following methods
would be acceptable?
A) Banana gauge B) Eccentric wheel used longitudinally
C) Comb gauge used circumferentially C) Eccentric wheel used circumferentially

Q9 An anode becomes positively charged by:

B) Releasing electrons B) Releasing protons C) Releasing charged atoms D) None
of the above

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 11 of 56

Q10 In the Galvanic List, which of the following materials has the „lowest known average
potential value‟?
A) Aluminium B) Copper C) Zinc D) Graphite

Q11 The use of a sealer to improve performance and prolong coating life, is associated with
which of the following
coating systems?
A) Polysioxane B) Polyurethane C) Inorganic Zinc Silicate D) Electrostatic spraying

Q12 Enclosed blasting chambers are used because:

A) They protect other personnel and equipment from abrasive blast scatter
B) They are relatively portable and inexpensive to set up
C) They enable working in ‘clean conditions’
D) They normally use expendable abrasives

Q13 Which of the following is added to paint to prevent settlement during storage?
A) A plasticizer
B) A thixotrope
C) A stabilizer
D) A drier

Q14 Which of the following can be used to measure viscosity?

A) A pyknometer B) An aspirated Psychorometer C) An ‘Abel’ closed cup D) A Zahn Cup

Q15 Which of the following is not considered as a „Laminar Pigment‟?

A) Glass flake B) Mica C) Slate Flour D) M.I.O.

Q16 A paint said to possess low opacity will:

A) Have low permeability B) Have low hiding power
C) Contain laminar pigments D) Have a minimum gloss value

Q17 The equipment used to measure the hiding ability of paint is called:
A) A reflectometer B) A grind gauge C) A psychrometer D) A cryptometer

Q18 A Wheelabrator is :
A) A portable item of blasting equipment used on site
B) A direct charge mill used during the manufacture of paint
C) A centrifugal blasting unit
D) A rotational viscosity measuring equipment

Q19 Bi metallic corrosion:

A) Only occurs when two identical materials are in close promimity
B) Causes accelerated corrosion to the material with the higher nobility
C) Has no significant effect on the rate of corrosion of either material
D) Causes accelerated corrosion of the material with the lower nobility

Q20 What volume of 100% VS paint would be required to coat the external shell of a
storage tank (19 metres diameter and height of 8 metres), to a WFT of 175um?
A) 52.34 litres B) 98.59 litres C) 83.57 litres D) 107.87 litres

apiXams BGAS Grade 3/2 Practice Question & Answer | Page 12 of 56