What's the Big Deal re: Singapore Standards?

With regards to paints, both SS345:2015 and SS500:2015 paints are external decorative paints that are developed by paint manufacturers to specifications approved by PSB and HDB for use in Singapore’s climate in the humid tropics. The standards have been updated, latest in 2015, to meet on limits of heavy metals and VOC standards, etc.

SS345:2015 - This standard applies to a ready-for-use, air-drying emulsion paint for both exterior and interior use on masonry surfaces.

SS500:2015 - This standard applies to a ready-to-use, air-drying elastomeric wall emulsion paint with waterproofing and fine-crack repairing properties for exterior use on masonry surfaces. SS500 is a paint with elastomeric properties (rubbery) typically deployed on gable brick walls (e.g. earlier HDB gable walls) that need waterproofing.

SS500 has the consequence of higher dirt-trapping effect due to its rubbery properties when compared to SS345.

For repainting exercises in Singapore, SS345 is the dominant standard paint used. As per our proposed approach, visible hairline cracks are first patched as per our proposal using polymeric membrane undercoat, followed by 1 coat of sealer & 2 coats of SS345. This sufficiently takes care of external plaster walls such that they are not at reasonable risks for seepage through them.

After weighing the dirt trapping issues (more prone in industrial settings or buildings situated along main roads with high vehicular traffic), SS500 can be considered if extensive hairline cracks are present around the building AND identified to be source of water permeating through into the building.

#SS345 #SS500