This standard specifies the general properties of and methods of test for coatings applied by hot dipping in zinc (containing not more than 2 % of other metals) on fabricated iron and steel articles. It does not apply to: a) sheet and wire that are continuously hot dip galvanized; b) tube and pipe that is hot dip galvanized in automatic plants; c) hot dip galvanized products for which specific standards exist and which may include additional requirements or requirements different from those of this European Standard.