The purpose of this NACE/SSPC technical committee report is to describe current practices for the preparation of a protective coating specification for atmospheric service. It provides a general description of a specification, as well as a review of the contents of a specification; the typical selection of protective coatings; and the establishment of job and inspection requirements. Format and writing style are stressed. There is also discussion of commercial aspects of the work that have not typically been contained in the technical specification. This report is intended for facility owners, engineering/ erection contractors, in-plant protective coating specialists, inspectors, and others responsible for protective coating work.