This standard describes exterior coatings that consist of cold-applied petrolatum or microcrystalline wax primers and tapes and their applications to special sections, connections, and fittings to be used with buried, submerged, and aboveground steel water pipelines.

The primers and tapes are not intended for use with steel joints or sections of steel pipe where coatings of cement mortar or concrete are applied directly onto the bare steel pipe. These coatings may be field- or shop-applied according to the provisions of this standard.