MeyerFire
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
    • BACKFLOW DATABASE*
    • CLEAN AGENT ESTIMATOR*
    • CLOUD CEILING CALCULATOR
    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
    • FIRE PUMP DATABASE*
    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
    • IBC TRANSLATOR*
    • K-FACTOR SELECTOR*
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
    • LIQUIDS ANALYZER*
    • OBSTRUCTION CALCULATOR
    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
    • THRUST BLOCK CALCULATOR
    • TRAPEZE CALCULATOR
    • UNIT CONVERTER
    • VOLUME & COMPRESSOR CALCULATOR
    • WATER STORAGE*
    • WATER SUPPLY (US)
    • WATER SUPPLY (METRIC)
  • UNIVERSITY
    • About
    • Catalog
    • Content Library
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE Prep Series
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • THE CAUSE
    • ABOUT US
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT
Picture

Sprinklers Required in Powder-Coating Booths?

5/11/2021

8 Comments

 
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?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
8 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.

Reply
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

Reply
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.

Reply
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.

Reply
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).

Reply
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!

Reply
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.

Reply
Jim Mcvicker Artist link
7/8/2022 02:03:53 pm

Thank you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Why Sponsor?

    ALL-ACCESS

    Picture
    GET ALL OUR TOOLS

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe and learn something new each day:
    I'm Interested In:

    COMMUNITY

    Top ​July '22 Contributors
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    SEE LEADERBOARD

    YOUR POST

    SUBMIT A QUESTION

    PE EXAM

    Get 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
    SIGN ME UP!

    FILTERS

    All
    A117.1
    ABA
    ADA
    ASCE 7
    ASME A17.1
    Daily Discussion
    Design Documents
    EN 12845
    Explosion Protection & Prevention
    Fire Detection And Alarm Systems
    Fire Dynamics
    Flammable & Combustible LIquids
    FM Global
    Human Behavior
    IBC
    ICC-500
    IFC
    IMC
    IPC
    IRC
    ISO
    Means Of Egress
    NFPA 1
    NFPA 10
    NFPA 101
    NFPA 11
    NFPA 110
    NFPA 1142
    NFPA 1221
    NFPA 13
    NFPA 13D
    NFPA 13R
    NFPA 14
    NFPA 15
    NFPA 16
    NFPA 17A
    NFPA 20
    NFPA 2001
    NFPA 214
    NFPA 22
    NFPA 220
    NFPA 24
    NFPA 241
    NFPA 25
    NFPA 291
    NFPA 30
    NFPA 33
    NFPA 400
    NFPA 409
    NFPA 415
    NFPA 497
    NFPA 5000
    NFPA 502
    NFPA 54
    NFPA 55
    NFPA 654
    NFPA 68
    NFPA 70
    NFPA 72
    NFPA 75
    NFPA 82
    NFPA 90A
    NFPA 92
    NICET
    Passive Building Systems
    PE Prep Guide
    PE Prep Series
    PE Sample Problems
    Poll
    Smoke Management
    Special Hazard Systems
    UFC 3 600 01
    UFC 3-600-01
    UFC 4-021-01
    Updates
    Water Based Fire Suppression
    Weekly Exams


    ARCHIVES

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016


    PE PREP SERIES

    Fire Protection PE Exam Prep
    SEE LEADERBOARD

    RSS Feed

Picture
​Home
Our Cause
The Blog
The Forum
PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit

MeyerFire University
​Pricing
Login
​Support
Contact Us
Picture

MeyerFire.com is a startup community built to help fire protection professionals shine.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise.

​MeyerFire, LLC is an International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.

All text, images, and media ​Copyright © 2022 MeyerFire, LLC

We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.

Discussions are solely for the purpose of peer review and the exchange of ideas. All comments are reviewed. Comments which do not contribute, are not relevant, are spam, or are disrespectful in nature may be removed. Information presented and opinions expressed should not be relied upon as a replacement for consulting services. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a small commission for orders placed elsewhere.

  • Blog
  • Forum
  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
    • BACKFLOW DATABASE*
    • CLEAN AGENT ESTIMATOR*
    • CLOUD CEILING CALCULATOR
    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
    • FIRE PUMP DATABASE*
    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
    • IBC TRANSLATOR*
    • K-FACTOR SELECTOR*
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
    • LIQUIDS ANALYZER*
    • OBSTRUCTION CALCULATOR
    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
    • THRUST BLOCK CALCULATOR
    • TRAPEZE CALCULATOR
    • UNIT CONVERTER
    • VOLUME & COMPRESSOR CALCULATOR
    • WATER STORAGE*
    • WATER SUPPLY (US)
    • WATER SUPPLY (METRIC)
  • UNIVERSITY
    • About
    • Catalog
    • Content Library
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE Prep Series
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • THE CAUSE
    • ABOUT US
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT