Designation:D3274−09(Reapproved2017)StandardTestMethodforEvaluatingDegreeofSurfaceDisfigurementofPaintFilmsbyFungalorAlgalGrowth,orSoilandDirtAccumulation1ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationD3274;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginaladoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon(´)indicatesaneditorialchangesincethelastrevisionorreapproval.ThisstandardhasbeenapprovedforusebyagenciesoftheU.S.DepartmentofDefense.1.Scope1.1Fungalgrowth,frequentlyreferredtoasmildewinthepaintindustry,causesdefacementofpaintfilmexposedout-doors.Thevisualratingofpaintsurfacedisfigurementduetofungaloralgalattackisrequiredinordertocomparetheperformanceofdifferentcoatings.1.2Thismethodofratingmildewevaluationisintendedtobeusedonexteriorexposedpaintfilms.Thismethodmaybeusedtorateinteriorfungaloralgalgrowth,butitshouldbenotedthatthegrowthpatternsoninteriorsurfacesaredifferentthanexteriorduetothelackofweatheringinfluences.Itisprimarilyintendedfortestspecimens,butcanalsobesuedforratingmildewgrowthonlargerstructuressuchasentirehouses.Ifthisisusedforlargeareas,theprojectshouldbebrokendownintosmallersections.1.3Thismethodisintendedforfielduseforthemacroratingofsurfacedisfigurementonly.Thevisualscalesaremeanttobeusedbytheunaidedeyetoratealgal,fungal,ordirtdisfigurementonlargersurfaceareassuchastestpanels,sidingboards,orentirebuildings.Techniquesareincludedforthedifferentiationofsoilanddirt.1.4Fungiwillgrowonmostpaintfilmsexposedoutdoorsthatarelocatedinconditionsfavorabletogrowth.Testproce-duressuchasPracticesD1006,D3456,andG7areavailabledescribingnaturalexposureteststhatcanbeusedtoexposepaintfilms,inordertocreatefungaloralgalgrowth.1.5Thepictorialreferencesavailableforusewiththistestmethodprovideanumericalbasisforratingthedegreeoffungaloralgalgrowthonpaintfilms.1.6Thisstandarddoesnotpurporttoaddressallofthesafetyconcerns,ifany,associatedwithitsuse.Itistheresponsibilityoftheusero...
