SPRAY FINISHING

Critical Concepts

The spray area concept is more complex and, therefore, deserves to be explained in detail. In general, a spray area is any area in which dangerous quantities of flammable vapors or mists, or combustible residues, dusts, or deposits are present due to the operation of a spraying process.

The current edition of NFPA 33 offers greater insight into the meaning of the spray area. According to this document, a spray area shall include:

The interior of spray booths and spray rooms

The interior of ducts exhausting from the spraying process

Any area in the direct path of spraying operations.

A spray area is, by definition, a Class I, Division 1 hazardous location. As discussed later in this module, electrical devices and wiring within the spray area must comply with Subpart S, Electrical.

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