Is Paint 'Extraction Booth' same as 'Spray Booth'?

11/3/2023

Are the requirements for sprinklers in an 'Extraction Booth' the same as a 'spray booth'?

I have a customer looking to add wet pipe coverage to their new 'solvent extraction booth' which appears to be the same as a paint spray booth. The customer is claiming that the AHJ told them that there is no requirement for a separate riser as it's not technically a paint booth.

I can't find any supporting documentation of this in any NFPA standard. The closest example I can find is a paint spray booth which appears to require a dedicated riser no matter what.

Anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks in advance.

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5 Comments

Pete H

11/3/2023 08:04:23 am

Not speaking out of experience, but I did a quick google.

From: https://www.ats-elgi.com/blog/spray-paint-booth-part-3/

" ...The purpose of a paint booth is to control the environmental conditions while an object is being spray-painted. Automotive paint booths use extraction fans and specialized ventilation systems to remove chemical fumes from strong paints as well as dust particles, overspray and other contaminants that can affect the paint job..."

So all paint booths do have extraction as part of the deal. Don't know if that makes them 'solvent extraction booths' as that term is new to me, but it might be a lead.

D Shaver link

11/3/2023 08:26:55 am

My experience in solvent extraction is something lsimilar to extracting CBD oil from plants, etc. Have you tried NFPA 36, IFC chapter 39, or NFPA 13-2022 section 27.7 to get guidance? They specifically address solvent extraction.

Glenn Berger

11/3/2023 08:32:05 am

I cannot speak for a "extraction booth," but the if the issue is whether you need a dedicated isolation valve and flow switch then you should be able to convince your client of the benefits of providing such an assembly for your application.

Anthony

11/3/2023 08:52:54 am

Ask what their process is. If it's a spray application, then you have a paint booth with ducting removing fumes from an environment. You might need to have sprinklers in that venting duct if you're derailing is explosive hazards and aerosolized accelerants, NFPA 45 I think for that? "extraction booth" is not a defined technical term in NFPA.

I think you need to go back to your client and start asking some detailed questions. Not sure if this is your case but when I started out, I was always afraid to ask questions, so I didn't look like an idiot. The exact opposite is true. Get a boat load of questions to your client I bet they're as passionate about their work as you are yours. They'll be happy to walk you through with the equipment does and work with you. This also gets you face or phone time with the client and helps build a relationship.

Franck

11/4/2023 05:29:28 am

To complete Glenn's comment...

Ask yourself why it is advisable to have a dedicated riser for a paint spray booth (and associated valve and alamrm flow). This will give you good indications on why it would be advisable (or not) to have the same installation for an extraction booth.

Interpreting the standards can be done only if the prurpose of the standard is understood.

It is advisable to have a separate system for a paint spray booth as they are normally installed in a building that is also protected by sprinklers.

1st reason
Paint spray booth may need to be moved inside the building, or may be extended, thus requiring to isolate the sprinkler system. Do you want to isolate the sprinkler system of the entire building for works being done in the spray booth ? Probably not. So the extra cost for a dedicated sprinkler system is becoming a big advantage when works/movement are done in the spray booth.

2d reason
Additionally, there is normally a higher probability to have a fire (and activation of sprinklers) inside the spray booth than in the remaining of the building.
If this happens, you can isolate the sprinkler system in the spray booth (and stop the activity, therefore limiting the corresponding hazard in the booth), but you may not want to isolate the sprinkler system of the entire building, where activity and corresponding hazards remain.

3rd reason
By providing a dedicated system with dedicated flow switch, you will imediately know, in case of sprinkler activation, where the fire is located inside the building. This will save precious time for additional manual firefightng operations.

Conclusion: if your aim is the same for the "extraction booth", then the requirement should be the same.

Not that this could apply to other locations, not defined as paint spray booth.

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Is Paint 'Extraction Booth' same as 'Spray Booth'?

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