Read Time — 3 Minutes
Summary:
- Even the safest spray booth environment poses a fire risk due to the possibility of human error and technical malfunction.
- There are many potential fire risks present during operation: faulty and improper use of equipment, flammable spray compounds, electrical currents, and any open flames.
- Business leaders must assess fire risks and develop a comprehensive safety plan with training, crisis response, and inspection schedules.
- Business leaders should also familiarize themselves with proper NFPA and OSHA regulations which guide safety protocol for spray booths.
Fire is one of the most serious hazards associated with spray and finish applications—even those conducted in a fully-maintained and compliant spray booth. Fortunately, there are many different ways to limit this risk, but business leaders need to prepare for the possibility of human error or technical malfunction.
To minimize human injury and damage to the booth, product, equipment, and materials, operators need to identify all potential fire hazards throughout their production process so they can develop a multifaceted prevention and management plan to limit these risks. To help prep your spray booth in the case of a fire, we’ve outlined some common considerations.
Risk Identification, Assessment, and Management
Causes of Booth and Workplace Fires
The first step in preventing or controlling fire risks is to understand where exactly these fire risks occur during daily operations. For example, faults and improper use of electrical equipment are one of the most common causes of fire in spray environments.
Many application mixtures contain volatile compounds that can ignite with only slight exposure to flame or electrical current. This means operators need to keep their equipment and electrical system in good repair with regular maintenance checks and inspections.
Cigarettes, matches, and lighters are another common risk in many workplaces, particularly those that don’t designate smoking areas for employees. Companies should provide facilities for smokers, including enclosed ashtrays that are completely separate from areas with flammable or combustible substances.
Risk Assessment and Management
It’s difficult to completely eliminate fire risks in the workplace, which means operators have to carefully assess various hazards to develop appropriate solutions. Booth operators handling volatile chemicals need to establish detailed fire prevention and management plan.
This plan should cover thorough training for all employees, including proper use of fire-prevention equipment and safety procedures, along with crisis management strategies and inspection schedules. Employers should also have updated material safety data sheets for all dangerous substances used in production.
Regulations for Spray Booth Fire Safety
When using a spray booth or establishing a fire safety plan, operators need to keep applicable regulations in mind. There are currently two main sources of regulatory oversight when it comes to spray and finish booths: the NFPA and OSHA.
NFPA 33
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a limited, yet noteworthy, regulatory impact on spray booths. The standards described in NFPA 33 are only relevant to operations that use flammable or combustible material. These standards encourage workplace safety by establishing minimum ventilation, spacing, and fire suppression requirements.
OSHA Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary regulatory body that oversees various aspects of spray booth operations. Since the agency focuses on preserving employee health, fire risk management is one of the many issues addressed in its standards. Among other standards for booth operators, OSHA requires that employees have appropriate personal safety equipment and safety training to help prevent unnecessary injury.
Compliant and Customized Booth Solutions
Booth fire prevention requires a cohesive and communal effort at all levels of an organization. However, the foundation for a fire-safe work environment is reliable, high-quality equipment that meets or exceeds all relevant regulatory requirements. That’s why Spray Systems doesn’t cut corners with our booth designs and other solutions.
After decades spent serving customers from many different industries, we know that compliance, efficiency, and reliability are all vital qualities in booth systems. We are committed to helping our customers find solutions that deliver value and offer flexibility without compromising workplace or employee safety. Contact us today to learn how we can help you meet all your industrial spray booth needs safely and efficiently.
