FAQs

These are the main benefits:

• Visibility - Aquasign^® markers offer a high visibility alternative to flame-cut and burnout markings. Available in a variety of different colours ensuring ultimate contrast for subsea identification.
• Life Span - Typically anti-fouling paints have a life span in the region of 5-7 years. Whilst silicone paints are able to improve on this they offer limited damage resistance. Once the paint is damaged marine growth can quickly adhere to these initiation points
• Lead Time – Aquasign^® has a standard lead time of 3-4 working days, anti-fouling paint schemes can take upwards of 14 working days to allow for full cure.
• Specification Change - errors or specification changes can be costly on large burnout/flame-cut panels whereas Aquasign^® markers can be easily replaced.

Aquasign^® markers are guaranteed to remain free of fouling for 30 years and have a projected life-span of 50 years. The life span can be varied by increasing/reducing the thickness of the markers.

Aquasign^® markers are routinely shipped to all parts of the world. Aquasign^® markers and fixings are non-hazardous and should not compromise local shipping regulations.

Yes. Champion Environ provide three solutions for ROV fixing;

• Subsea adhesive that can be bonded in situ by the ROV
• Magnetic backing that can be utilized on its own or with the subsea adhesive
• Spring clip ideal for cylindrical structures such as pipes, risers or umbilicals.

More information is available here.

Aquasign^® markers are normally bonded to pre-coated steel using one of our proprietary adhesives, Aquahesive^™ 5836 or Biohesive^®225. These adhesives are compatible with a wide range of coatings including epoxies and polyurethanes. Champion Environ can be consulted for compatibility if necessary.

Champion Environ ordinarily provide Aquasign^® markers ready to install complete with all fixings and fully illustrated installation instructions. We will of course provide advice, support and training where required. Champion Environ has a small workforce which is capable of installing the markers, if required.

No, although Aquahesive^™ 5836 and Biohesive^® 225 have a 12 month and 24 month shelf life respectively and should not be used if it is outside this warranty period. Contact Champion Environ for replacement adhesive if this is the case.

Aquasign^® markers are remarkably tough. The markers have been extensively tested both in the laboratory and in the field and repeatedly demonstrate good resistance to damage. For further information, see the data on testing of markers. Our Shield^™ fixing range offers the additional protection for key intervention marks, see our fixing methods section for more details.

Aquasign^® markers have been extensively tested in the laboratory and are not affected by pressures equivalent to 23000ft of water depth. This also applies to the fixing materials used with Aquasign^® . For further information please see the data on Aquasign® testing.

Aquasign^® resists all form of marine growth, unlike some conventional copper based marking systems that can be readily overgrown by bio-films consisting of copper resistant bacteria. For further information please refer to the data sheets on comparison of marking systems.

The default colour for Aquasign^® markers is black text on a yellow background. However, markers can be produced using a variety of standard colours, including red, orange, blue, green and white. Aquasign^® markers can also be produced to customer specified colours for manufacturing logos, flags or other visual elements.

The proprietary oils exuding from the marker are completely non toxic. Both our Aquasign^® markers and Biohesive^® 225 have no effect on marine life and therefore provide an environmentally friendly approach to anti-fouling. For further information please see the data on Aquasign® testing.

Individual Aquasign^® markers can be supplied to a maximum size of 1000mm x 1000mm (˜35"). Larger markers can be produced by joining marker panels together and bonding or mechnically fixing in situ.

Typically, lead time for Aquasign^® markers are as follows:

Bonded:- Ex-works, 4 working days following receipt of order
Strapped:- Ex-works, 6 working days following receipt of order
Rigid backed markers:- Ex-works, 6 working days following receipt of order

Certain aspects of Aquasign^® markers are standardised to aid manufacturer; these are listed on the specification page. In addition, BS/EN ISO 13628-1:1999 "Petroleum and natural gas industries - Design and operation of subsea production systems" specifies text heights for specific applications; these are also listed on the specification page.

Two types of protective covers are provided by Champion Environ for the Aquasign^® range;
i) Yellow vinyl - these covers provide protection against UV light that can cause the marker to fade.
ii) Black Plastic - these covers provide protection against both UV light and from physical damage including weld-spatter.

Aquasign Solis^® are supplied with protective covers to keep the marker clean. These can be removed at time although we recommend that they are kept in place until the marker has been installed onto the substrate.

We do not currently promote Aquatect^™, a sprayable version of Aquasign^® in our portfolio, the material can be supplied in 1 sq. meter rolls for bonding onto substrates.