Dolphins

Long Beach-CA Port

PROJECT DETAILS
System: Freedom Chemical Guardian Containment
Completion Date: October 2025
New construction or Renovation: Renovation

PROJECT TEAM
Client: Structural
Location: Long Beach – CA
Sub‑Contractor: Mark Beamish Waterproofing

PRODUCT DETAILS
FT‑6160 Epoxy Primer – High‑performance primer formulated to maximize adhesion to prepared steel and concrete substrates.
FT‑2202 Polyurea – Rapid‑curing waterproofing membrane that meets ARMEA requirements as a stand‑alone barrier layer.

KEY ADVANTAGES
• High abrasion and impact resistance.
• Excellent chemical stability against oils, fuels, and marine contaminants.
• Rapid curing, allowing fast return to service.
• Long-term elasticity, preventing cracking from thermal or structural movement.

The polyurea was applied using high-pressure, plural-component spray equipment to ensure consistent film thickness and uniform surface coverage.

SOLUTION
The purpose of this project was to protect the dolphin area, a concrete structure within the Long Beach Port, from severe environmental and operational wear.
This area is continuously exposed to marine conditions, mechanical abrasion, oils, fuels, and saltwater, all of which accelerate surface degradation.

The selected coating system was designed to ensure:
• Long-term durability and chemical resistance.
• High adhesion to concrete.
• A non-slip surface for operational safety.

Prior to coating application, the substrate was carefully inspected and prepared to guarantee optimal adhesion.
Preparation steps included:
• Mechanical abrasion to remove laitance and open surface pores.
• High-pressure cleaning to remove dust and debris.
• Soluble salt, oil, and fuel removal through appropriate detergents and rinsing methods.
• Verification of surface dryness, profile, and cleanliness prior to primer application.

This ensured that the concrete surface met the requirements for high-performance polyurea adhesion.
Following surface preparation, the area was primed with Epoxy Primer FT-6160, a two-component epoxy system offering:
• Strong adhesion to concrete surfaces.
• Excellent chemical and moisture resistance.
• Enhanced bonding performance with subsequent polyurea layers.

The primer was applied uniformly across all prepared areas, ensuring continuous coverage and proper curing before topcoat application.
After primer curing, the surface received Polyurea FT-2202, applied to a total thickness of 80 mils (≈ 2 mm).
While the final layer of Polyurea FT-2202 was still tacky, aluminum oxide aggregate was broadcast onto the surface to create a durable non-slip texture.

This step ensures:
• Safe traction for operators in wet and oily conditions.
• Long-lasting slip resistance under continuous mechanical wear.

CHALLENGE
During the project, several significant challenges were encountered due to the unique environmental and operational conditions of the Long Beach Port dolphin area:
Atmospheric and Environmental Conditions
• Proximity to the sea resulted in high levels of humidity and airborne salt, creating less-than-ideal conditions for coating application.
• The presence of soluble salts and constant moisture required additional surface cleaning and monitoring to avoid contamination prior to priming.

Accessibility and Worksite Limitations
• The dolphin area’s offshore-like position made access difficult, especially for transporting equipment and materials.
• The limited available area provided reduced workspace for staging, mixing, and spraying operations, demanding careful coordination and safety control.

Time Constraints
• The project required completion within a short operational window to minimize interference with port activities and tide cycles.
• The team coordinated work shifts and curing times to ensure the system achieved full performance within the available timeframe.

Despite these constraints, the crew successfully executed the work plan through detailed preparation, environmental monitoring, and the use of fast-curing polyurea technology.

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