The exterior painting of tanks in the fuel storage facilities at two Northern Canadian (Arctic) settlements, recently showed signs of premature failure. These facilities were painted during the summers of 1994 and 1995, and various difficulties were experienced during the painting project. The paper will address the problems that arose during the paint
application and investigate the probable causes for the premature
failure of the exterior painting of the storage tanks. Remedial action taken and suggestions for prevention of similar costly failures will be
discussed. The paper will discuss the widely used specification for the external painting of fuel storage facilities in the Canadian Arctic, then review the typical climatic conditions experienced in the Eastern Arctic (soon to be the Territory of Nunavut) and the pressures this impose on the contractor in the light of the contractual regime. The results from an investigatory visit made to one of the locations will then be addressed and brought into context of the introductory comments.Lastly, proposals for remedial action will be presented. Keywords: Arctic; Painting; Failure; Specification; Fuel Storage