BENCHMARKING OF PAINT BOOTHS AS PER NFPA 33

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a) Location of Spray Application Operations

Spray booth shall be isolated from the other operations such as

assembly, storage of materials.( Minimum distance 915mm) Or Fire
1
resistance rating of 2 Hrs with automatic sprinkler systems to be
provided.

Walls & ceiling of the spray booth that enclose the spray area shall
be constructed with non combustible or limited combustible material.
2
- Do we use caton box / papers on the walls / grease on the walls of
the spray booth. ( if so, kindly mention it as not complied)

The airfilters should be as per Class # 1 or Class # 2in accordance

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with UL 900.

Alummium shall not be used in any part of the booth structure or in

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ducts or in applications.

The wall constructed of sheetmetal shall not be less than 1.2mm if

5 double skin assembly is used for wall, then the gap between should
not exceed more than 0.9mm
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All structural section of the spray booth shall be sealed with sealent
6
to avoid escape of flammable materials.

7 Conveyor opening shall be as small as possible.

Movement of powed vehicles with in the radius of 915mm should be

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prohibited, if to be used the vehicle should be of intrensically safe.

The panels of the light fittings shall be of heat trated glass or

9 hammered wire glass & shall be sealed to confine the vapours, mists
& dusts.
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b) Electrical & other Sources of Ignition.

Open flames, spark-producing equipment or processes,

and equipment whose exposed surfaces exceed the
10
autoignition temperature of the material being sprayed shall
not be located in the spray area or in surrounding areas.

Any utilization equipment or apparatus that is capable

of producing sparks or particles of hot metal and is located
11 above or adjacent to either the spray area or the surrounding
Division 2 areas shall be of the totally enclosed type or shall be
constructed to prevent the escape of sparks or particles of hot metal.

Electrical wiring and utilization equipment that is

located in the spray area and is not subject to deposits of
combustible residues shall be suitable for Class I, Division 1 or Class
12 II, Division 1 (Where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases,
vapors or liquids are present within the atmosphere under normal
operation conditions.)
locations, whichever is applicable.

The electrical equipments with in the radius of 915mm shall confirm

13
to flame proof fittings.
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In order to prevent sparks from the

accumulation of static electricity, all persons, all electrically
conductive parts of the spray room or spray booth, the exhaust ducts,
14 spray equipment, objects or containers that receive the spray stream,
and piping systems that convey flammable or combustible liquids or
aerated combustible solids shall be electrically bonded and
grounded.

Light fixtures that are attached to the walls or ceilings of

a spray area; are located within the Class I, Division 2 or Class II,
Division 2 location;(Where ignitable concentrations of flammable
gases, vapors, or liquids are present within the atmosphere under
abnormal operating conditions.) and are separated from the spray
area by glass panels that meet the requirements of Section 3.5 shall
be suitable for use in that location, as shown in Figure Such fixtures
shall be serviced from outside the spray area.

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c) Ventilation

Each spray area shall be provided with mechanical ventilation that is

capable of confining and removing vapors and mists to a safe
location and is capable of confining and controlling combustible
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residues,dusts, and deposits. The concentration of the vapors and
mists in the exhaust stream of the ventilation system shall not exceed
25 percent of the lower flammable limit.

Spray areas equipped with overspray collection filters

shall have visible gauges, audible alarms, or an effective
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inspection program to ensure that the required air velocity is
being maintained.

Mechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all

times while spray operations are being conducted and for a
sufficient time thereafter to allow the vapors from drying
coated objects or material and residues to be exhausted.
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Where spray operations are conducted automatically without an
attendant constantly on duty, the operating controls of the spray
apparatus shall be arranged so that the spray apparatus cannot
function unless the exhaust fans are operating.
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19 Air exhausted from spray areas shall not be recirculated.

The exhaust discharge shall be directed away

from any fresh air intakes. The exhaust duct discharge point
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shall be at least 6 ft (1830 mm) from any exterior wall or
roof.

Exhaust ducts and fasteners shall be constructed of steel. Exhaust

ducts shall be supported to prevent collapse under fire conditions.
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Hangers and supports shall be fastened securely to the building or to
the structure to avoid vibration and stress on the duct system.

The rotating element of the exhaust fan shall be nonferrous

or the fan shall be constructed so that a shift of the
impeller or shaft will not permit two ferrous parts of the fan to rub or
22 strike. There shall be ample clearance between the
rotating element and fan casing to avoid a fire by friction, necessary
allowances being made for ordinary expansion and loading and to
prevent contact between moving parts and the duct or fan housing.
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d) Storage, Handling, and Distribution of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

There shall be not more than three approved flammable

23 liquid storage cabinets in any single process area without
the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.

The storage cabinet shall contain not more than

120 gal (454 L) of Class I, Class II, or Class IIIA liquids, of
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which not more than 60 gal (227 L) shall be Class I and Class II
liquids.

The quantity of liquid located in the vicinity of spraying

operations, but outside of a storage cabinet, an inside storage room,
a cut-off room or attached building, or other specific process area
that is cut off by at least a 2-hour fire-rated separation from the
spraying operations, shall not exceed the quantity given in either (1)
or (2), whichever is greater:
25 (1) A supply for one day
(2) 25 gal (95 L) of Class IA liquids in containers, plus 120 gal
(454 L) of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids in containers, plus
2 portable tanks each not exceeding 660 gal (2498 L) of
Class IB, IC, Class II, or Class IIIA liquids, plus 20 portable
tanks each not exceeding 660 gal (2498 L) of Class IIIB
liquids
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Dispensing or transfer of liquids from containers, mixing

of liquids, and filling of containers, including portable
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mixing tanks and pressure pots, shall be done only in a mixing
room or in a spray area.

Mixing room shall be

1. The mixing room shall not exceed 150 ft2 (14 m2).
2. The mixing room shall be designed to contain a spill of
the contents of the room.
3. The mixing room or a spray area used for mixing and dispensing
operations shall be provided with continuous
mechanical ventilation capable of providing not less than
1 cfm of air movement per ft2 (0.3 m3/mm2) of floor
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area or 150 cfm (4 m3/min), whichever is greater. The
ventilation system shall be in operation at all times.
4. Dispensing and mixing rooms shall be classified, for purposes
of electrical area classification, the same as
enclosed spray booths.
5. The mixing room shall be provided with an approved
automatic fire protection system that meets all applicable
requirements
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Liquids shall be transported by means of closed containers,

approved safety cans, or approved portable tanks, or shall
be transferred by means of a piping system. Open containers
28 shall not be used for moving or storing liquids.
Wherever liquids are transferred from one container
to another, both containers shall be effectively bonded and
grounded to dissipate static electricity.

e) Fire Protection System

For continuous spray application operations, activation

of the fire extinguishing system shall automatically accomplish
all of the following:
(1) Activate a local alarm in the vicinity of the spraying operation
29 and activate the facilitys alarm system, if such a system
is provided
(2) Shut down the coating material delivery system
(3) Terminate all spray application operations
(4) Stop any conveyors into and out of the spray area

Air make-up and spray area exhaust systems shall not be

30 interlocked with the fire alarm system and shall remain functional
during any fire alarm condition.
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If an automatic sprinkler system is used, it shall meet all

applicable requirements of NFPA 13,The automatic sprinkler system
shall be a wet pipe system where practical. Spray operations that
31 require an openhead deluge system, a combination open- and
closed-head automatic sprinkler system, a foam-water sprinkler
system, or any other type of extinguishing system (dry chemical or
gaseous agent) shall be so protected,

Water supply for sprinklers shall be sufficient to supply

32 all sprinklers likely to open in any one fire incident without
depleting the available water for use in hose streams.

The sprinklers for each spray area and mixing room

shall be controlled by a separate, accessible, listed indicating
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valve. Sprinkler systems in stacks or ducts shall be automatic
and of a type not subject to freezing

Sprinklers protecting spray areas and mixing rooms

shall be protected against overspray residue so that they will
operate quickly in the event of fire. If covered, cellophane
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bags having a thickness of 0.003 in. (0.076 mm) or less or thin
paper bags shall be used. Coverings shall be replaced frequently
so that heavy deposits of residue do not accumulate.
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Where automatic sprinkler protection is not provided

or where another type of fire protection system is better suited
to provide the required protection for the spray application
operation, spray areas and mixing rooms shall be permitted to
be protected with one or more of the following:
(1) A dry chemical extinguishing system installed in accordance
with the requirements of NFPA 17, Standard for Dry
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Chemical Extinguishing Systems
(2) A carbon dioxide system installed in accordance with the
requirements of NFPA 12, Standard on Carbon Dioxide
Extinguishing Systems
(3) A gaseous agent extinguishing system installed in accordance
with NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems

Automated powder application equipment shall be

protected further by the installation of an approved, supervised
flame detection apparatus that shall, in event of ignition,
react to the presence of flame within one-half (0.5) second
and shall accomplish all of the following:
(1) Shut down all energy supplies (electrical and compressed
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air) to conveyor, ventilation, application, transfer, and
powder collection equipment
(2) Close segregation dampers in associated ductwork to
interrupt airflows from application equipment to powder
collectors
(3) Activate an alarm
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f) Maintenance & Cleaning

All spray areas shall be kept free of

the accumulation of deposits of combustible residues. Combustible
coverings (thin paper, plastic, etc.) and strippable coatings
37 shall be permitted to be used to facilitate cleaning operations in
spray areas. If residue accumulates to excess in booths, duct or
duct discharge points, or other spray areas, then all spraying
operations shall be discontinued until conditions are corrected.

High pressure hose lines that convey flammable or combustible

coating material in airless spray application operations shall be
inspected frequently andshall be repaired or replaced, as necessary.
38
Hose lines and equipment shall be located so that, in the event of a
leak or rupture, coating material will not be discharged into any space
having a source of ignition.

Maintenance procedures shall be established to ensure

that overspray collector filters are replaced before excessive
39 restriction to airflow occurs. Overspray collectors shall be
inspected after each period of use, and clogged filters shall be
discarded and replaced.
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All discarded overspray collector filters, residue scrapings,

and debris contaminated with residue shall be removed
40 immediately to a well-detached location or placed in a waterfilled
metal container and disposed of at the close of the days
operation unless maintained completely submerged in water.

Waste Containers. Approved metal waste cans shall be

provided wherever rags or waste are impregnated with sprayed
41 material and all such rags or waste deposited therein immediately
after use. The contents of waste cans shall be disposed of
at least once daily at the end of each shift.

Clothing. Employees clothing contaminated with sprayed

42 material shall not be left on the premises overnight unless kept
in metal lockers.

Solvents for cleaning operations shall have flash points

43
above 100F (37.8C).
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Cleaning operations using flammable or combustible

44 solvents shall be conducted inside spray areas with ventilating
equipment operating or in other adequately ventilated locations
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NO SMOKING OR OPEN FLAMES, " AVOID MOBILE PHONES"

45 signs in large letters on contrasting color background shall be
conspicuously posted at all spray areas and paint storage rooms.

Welding, cutting, and other spark-producing

operations shall not be permitted in or adjacent to spray areas
until a written permit authorizing such work has been issued. The
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permit shall be issued by a person in authority following his or
her inspection of the area to ensure that precautions have been
taken and will be followed until the job is completed.

g) Automated spray machine

Transformers, high voltage supplies, control apparatus,

and all other electrical portions of the equipment shall be
located outside of the spray area, Electrodes and electrostatic
atomizing heads shall be
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insulated from ground. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing
heads that are permanently attached to their bases, supports,
reciprocators, or robots shall be deemed to comply with this
section

High voltage leads shall be insulated and protected

from mechanical damage or exposure to destructive chemicals.
48 Any exposed element at high voltage shall be effectively
and permanently supported on insulators and shall be effectively
guarded against accidental contact or grounding.
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All electrically conductive objects in the spray area,

except those objects required by the process to be at high voltage,
shall be electrically connected to ground with a resistance of not
more than 1 megohm. This requirement shall apply to containers of
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coating material, wash cans, guards, hose connectors,brackets, and
any other electrically conductive objects or devices in the area. This
requirement shall also apply to any personnel who enter the spray
area.

Containers for any liquids in the spray area also shall

be electrically conductive.
Objects or material being coated shall be electrically
50 connected to ground with a resistance of not more than 1
megohm. Areas of contact shall be sharp points or knife edges,
where possible, and those areas of contact shall be protected
from overspray, where practical.
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Objects or material transported by a conveyor shall be

maintained in electrical contact with the conveyor or other
51
grounding contacts. Hooks and hangers shall be cleaned regularly
to ensure grounding.
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Electrostatic apparatus shall be equipped with automatic

means that rapidly de-energizes the high voltage elements
under any one of the following conditions:
(1) Shutdown of ventilating fans or failure of ventilating
equipment from any cause
(2) Stopping of the conveyor carrying objects or material
52
through the high voltage field unless stopping is required
by the spray process
(3) De-energizing the primary voltage input to the power
supply
(4) Occurrence of excessive current leakage at any point on
the high voltage system

Safeguards such as booths, fencing, railings, interlocks, or

other means shall be placed about the equipment or incorporated
53
therein so that they, either by their location or character or
both, ensure that a safe separation of the process is maintained.

Signs shall be conspicuously posted to:

(1) Designate the process zone as dangerous with regard to
fire and accident
54 (2) Identify the grounding requirements for all electrically
conductive objects in the spray area, including persons
(3) Restrict access to qualified personnel only
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Drying, curing, or fusing apparatus used in

connection with spray application of flammable and combustible
materials shall meet all applicable requirements of NFPA
86, Standard for Ovens and Furnaces.
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In addition, an interlock shall be provided
to prevent spray application operations when the interconnecting
doors are open. A high temperature limit switch shall
be provided to automatically shut off the drying apparatus if
the air temperature in the spray area exceeds 200F (93C).

All personnel involved in the spray application

processes covered by this standard shall be instructed in
the following:
56 (1) The potential safety and health hazards
(2) The operational, maintenance, and emergency procedures
required
(3) The importance of constant operator awareness

The operator shall use all PPE, Respirator mask approved by

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NIOSH, Approved goggles, Antistatic shoes & cloth.