Difference Between Spray Room & Spray Booth?

7/4/2022

Spray Room vs Spray Booth: When to use the requirements for one or the other?

I am working on a flammable spray application and was wondering if anyone has a any good metrics for when to determine if an enclosure is a "spray room" vs a "spray booth".

I am working on a 40-ft by 10-ft enclosure which I would argue is a room, but NFPA 33 provides discernable direction even with Annex sections, especially with "this definition is not intended to limit the term spray booth to any particular design." This shows up in A.3.3.19.

From NFPA 33 2021:

Spray Booth 3.3.19
"A power-ventilated enclosure for a spray application operation or process that confines and limits the escape of the material being sprayed, including vapors, mists, dusts, and residues that are produced by the spraying operation and conducts or directs these materials to an exhaust system."

Annex A.3.3.19:
"Spray booths are manufactured in a variety of forms, including automotive refinishing, downdraft, open-face, traveling, tunnel, and updraft booths. This definition is not intended to limit the term spray booth to any particular design. The entire spray booth is part of the spray area. A spray booth is not a spray room."

Spray Room 3.3.20
"A power-ventilated enclosure for a spray application operation or process that confines and limits the escape of the material being sprayed, including vapors, mists, dusts, and residues that are produced by the spraying operation and conducts or directs these materials to an exhaust system."

Annex A.3.3.20
"The entire spray room is considered part of the spray area. A spray booth is not a spray room."

Based on definitions there are no official metrics to determine when to use either definition.

Is this perhaps a constructed room vs a manufactured structure?

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

sean

7/4/2022 08:11:48 am

the building code has spray room as a fire rated room

Chad

7/4/2022 08:30:32 am

So that begs the question. If you build a 1 hour rated room to enclose a UL listed preconfigured spray booth, is the room a spray room?

I argue yes but not sure I have a code reference

Glenn Berger

7/4/2022 09:39:54 am

Do not let the similar terms get in the way of a correct design. IMO, the difference is pre-design (pre-approved) enclosure system, versus a built to suit (on-site) system with parts and pieces to achieve one's purpose.

Franck

7/4/2022 10:11:26 am

In a spray booth, the only activity is spraying and the size of the “booth” is limited to that area. A spray room is a room where you have spray application but is a bit larger and some area within the room not dedicated solely for that purpose.

I know it might be confusing, but it’s your language (not mine, I’m French :)

So no space limitation as you may have a very large/long spray booth (automotive industry, for example) and a quite small spray room.

7/4/2022 10:15:27 am

And as indicated by Glenn, a spray booth is normally manufactured for that purpose and installed on site, while a spray room is a room that has been designed on site for that purpose and adapted.

7/4/2022 11:16:02 am

So if you build a rate room closely around a spray booth…. When does it become a spray room??….. I have a tough time discerning when that happens

Steve link

7/4/2022 11:35:44 am

Assuming you are in a IBC jurisdiction, a "Spray Room" is determined by the building code:

416.2 Spray Rooms. Spray rooms shall be enclosed with not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. Floors shall be waterproofed and drained in an approved manner.

If it isn't a "Spray Room", then it is a Spray Booth (mechanically ventilated "appliance") constructed per IFC 2403.3.3. Since a spray booth is an "appliance" the construction is not regulated by building code, but the design of the appliance (booth) is regulated under fire code.

In layman's terms, a Spray Booth is generally a pre-manufactured / ready-to-assemble enclosure made of metal panels that are bolted together, and assembled in place inside of the building. A Spray Room is a room constructed as part of a building out of traditional building materials (usually typical fire-rated construction).

In Group A, E, I or R occupancies, a Spray Room must be used. In all others Spray Booths (or Spray Areas) may be used and are the most common by far.

Tom Reinhardt

7/5/2022 06:57:15 am

In my opinion a spray room .merely houses a spray booth. A room would have windows doors and rated walls. All not conducive to spray finishes. A spray booth is specifically designed for safe flammable spray finishes. Smooth surfaces, intrinsic lighting ,manometers etc.

Difference Between Spray Room & Spray Booth?

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