Sprinklers Required in Powder-Coating Booths?

5/11/2021

I have a F-1 occupancy used for powder coating lines for RV chassis, fully-sprinklered except for the equipment (booths). Inside of this facility there are large powder coating, ovens and media blasting booths that the chassis run through on a track. Each booth is about 18’ x 30’.

Would the media blasting booths require fire protection? The customer does not want to install FP for the media blasting in fear of an accidental discharge that would stop most RV production for the entire country.

My thought is the blasting booths along with the powder coating would require FP due to size and I cannot find any exceptions except for the ovens per IFC, class A&B ovens not used for combustible products.

Any thoughts?

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7 Comments

Jeremy James

5/11/2021 08:25:44 am

I would think that these need to be protected also. What does the customers insurance company suggest? I'd recommend starting there. Also, if the customer is worried about accidental discharge, provide the option of a single or double interlock pre-action.

Joshua Freedman

5/11/2021 10:15:01 am

NFPA 30 (2018) states in chapt 15:

Chapter 15 Powder Coating
15.1* Scope. This chapter shall apply to processes in which
combustible dry powders are applied.
N 15.5.1.1 Spray areas, as defined in this standard, shall be
protected with an approved automatic fire protection system.
N 15.5.1.2 The requirement in 15.5.1.1 shall apply to both
manual and automated spray application processes.
15.5.2.1 The automatic fire protection system shall be permitted
to be, and shall be installed in accordance with, any of the
following:
(1) An automatic water sprinkler system that meets all applicable requirements of NFPA 13
(2) An automatic foam water sprinkler system that meets all
applicable requirements of NFPA 16
(3) A carbon dioxide extinguishing system that meets all
applicable requirements of NFPA 12
(4) A dry chemical extinguishing system that meets all applicable requirements of NFPA 17
(5) A gaseous agent extinguishing system that meets all applicable requirements of NFPA 2001
(6) A water mist fire protection system that meets the applicable
requirements of NFPA 750

Franck

5/11/2021 01:46:42 pm

It’s a definitive YES.
I don’t have access to my internal standards (being on holidays away from my home office this week), but I will forward you some guidance when I come back.
I think that NFPA 1 also have some info on paint spray booth (liquids or powder coating).
One key element is the interlock with the ventilation system : no possible spray without ventilation in operation.
Other key point is lighting : should be outside the booth (with glass windows)
And then sprinklers protected with paper bag or approved plastic bags.

Scott

5/12/2021 04:40:04 pm

We know the powder coating booth definitely require FP, the unknown is the media blasting booths which are quite large. I believe they would require it under IFC 902.3 ( I believe, don’t have the book with me) that references obstructions over 4’ including equipment.
AHJ is requiring FP in the media blasting booths, but the customer is trying to fight this at the state level. I agree with the AHJ.

DavdiC

5/11/2021 06:28:46 pm

Also consult with the AHJ as they may have different requirements. We would not allow a Dry Chem system in a booth that is within a sprinklered building. (I say not but we have had (1) exception to that).

Scott

5/12/2021 04:42:15 pm

David,
May I ask what would prohibit a dry chem system as an alternative means of FP for specific equipment? Honest question, I just have never heard of this. Thanks!

Franck

5/17/2021 04:02:56 am

As indicated above, some of the guidance I use for powder coating:

Spray booths and reclaim systems
Possible hazards are either an ignition in the powder stream or a dust explosion.
Any detected unsafe condition, the controller should sound an audible alarm and stop the coating operations by causing all of the following:
• De-energize the DC power supply to the spray guns
• Stop the supply of powder to the spray gun
• Stop the conveyor line.

An automatic fire detection system should be provided in the spray booth area. This normally consists of spark and flame sensing systems mounted inside the spray booth.

If the reclaim system is using a cyclone collector, protective measures should be provided to reduce the hazard of a dust explosion (relief venting to the outside of the building, fast acting suppression system…). In addition, an automatic closing guillotine gate should be provided at the feed to the reclaim system, interlocked to close upon any signal of an emergency shutdown to isolate the powder flow from the reclaim system.

The minimum airflow design for the spray booth should be 18 m/min (60 ft per min).

Class II explosion proof electrical equipment should be provided for the spray booth and surrounding areas.

Sprinkler protection
A sprinkler system may be provided for the area housing the powder coating system, the areas used for the storage of powder resins and inside the spray booth area.
The sprinkler system should be fed from a reliable water supply able to provide a density of 8.1 l/min/m² (0.2 gpm/sq ft) over the entire spray booth area (to be considered as an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 occupancy).

It is not anticipated that both the building ceiling and spray area systems will operate simultaneously if installed in accordance with NFPA standards, so a total demand including both the ceiling system and the spray area systems is not required for hydraulic calculations and sizing of the water supply.

The sprinkler system should be controlled by a separate, dedicated, listed indicating valve, accessible and operable from the floor level.

The activation of the automatic fire protection system should be interlocked with the spray booth and shut down all spray application operations.
In addition, the sprinkler alarm should be relayed to a permanently attended location (guard house, main control room, outside central station).

The following preventive maintenance measures should be provided:
• Daily cleaning of spray booths and spray gun systems. Never use compressed air to “blow down” accumulations of dust. Frequent inspections of oven exhaust systems should be made to determine the need for cleaning.
• Daily inspection of fire detection sensors to assure that powder has not accumulated over the sensing lenses. The fire detection system should be monthly tested.
• Frequent tests of electrical fault sensing systems, DC power units, and spray gun safety features.
• Regular inspections of all devices and equipment required to be grounded.
• Maintenance of the reclaim system filter units and air handling units
• Annual tests of the safety interlocks for all gas combustion control systems
• Inspection and tests of fire suppression systems in accordance with NFPA 25 recommended practices.

Sprinklers Required in Powder-Coating Booths?

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