Fabrication and galvanizing under one roof.

Hot dip galvanizing to BS/IS EN ISO 1461:2022, carried out on our own plant at Kinsale Road in Cork. One of the longest galvanizing baths in Ireland, with double-dip capacity up to 14 metres.

  • Bath dimensions: 7.75m × 1.45m × 2.65m

  • Single-dip length: up to 7.5m

  • Double-dip length: up to 14m

  • Standard: BS/IS EN ISO 1461:2022

What is Hot Dip Galvanizing?

Hot dip galvanizing is the coating of chemically cleaned iron or steel with zinc by immersing it in molten liquid zinc at approximately 450°C. The zinc reacts metallurgically with the parent steel to form a coating that is bonded to it, not painted on.

A standard galvanized coating can last up to 170 years plus in most Irish exterior environments. It is the most long-lasting, sustainable, robust and cost-effective coating system that can be applied to steel to give a rust/corrosion free service life.

Applications & Sectors.

IPW galvanizing is specified across sectors where long-life corrosion protection is non-negotiable:

  • Power transmission and distribution – lattice towers, cross arms, pole hardware, substation steelwork.

  • Renewable energy – onshore wind tower internals, solar mounting structures.
  • Telecommunications – masts, antenna supports, equipment cabinets.
  • Industrial construction – secondary steelwork, walkways, handrails, plant structures.

  • Architectural and street furniture – balustrades, lighting columns, bespoke metalwork.

Accreditations & Standards. 

Galvanizing to EN ISO 1461 is independently verified through BIGA membership, and coating thickness certificates are issued on a per-batch basis and retained on file for the working life of the asset.

  • ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems.
  • ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems.

  • Members of the British and Irish Galvanizers Association (BIGA) – conformance to BS/IS EN ISO 1461:2022 is a condition of membership and is audited on an ongoing basis.

IPW GALV BATH

Fabrication, Welding and Galvanizing. 

Steelwork moves from the workshop floor to the zinc bath without leaving the Kinsale Road site. Our plant operates a 7.75m bath with double-dip capacity to 14m, coating to EN ISO 1461:2022.

Designing for Galvanizing.

Steel sent for hot dip galvanizing must be free of grease, paint, oil and surface contamination, and sized to fit within the bath envelope. Hollow sections and closed fabrications need correctly placed vent and drain holes, so molten zinc can flow freely into and out of the section and no air or moisture is trapped. Trapped moisture in a sealed section is a safety risk at galvanizing temperature, not just a quality one.

Where IPW fabricates and galvanizes the same job, this is designed in from the start: sections are detailed for galvanizing before they are made. Where steel is sent to us for galvanizing only, we welcome design queries at the enquiry stage. It is far easier to add a vent hole on the drawing than to find a problem at the bath.

For full design guidance, the British and Irish Galvanizers Association maintains a detailed reference. 

Sustainability & Environmental Impact.

Of the available corrosion protection systems for structural steel, hot dip galvanizing has the lowest environmental impact over the lifecycle of the asset.

A life cycle assessment carried out by the Environmental Technology Systems Department at the Technical University of Berlin compared hot dip galvanizing against paint coating systems for a multi-storey steel car park. Galvanizing showed substantially lower environmental impact, driven by its long service life and complete freedom from maintenance over decades of use.

For the full study, see the Galvanizers Association Ireland LCA reference.

IPW’s environmental performance is independently audited under ISO 14001:2015.