How to Wire Paint Booths

Proper design of a paint spray booth is a critical factor in the safety of such facilities. Fire and explosion are primary concerns with paint booths because of the flammable vapors generated by solvent-based paints and aerated solid powders which may be released into the atmosphere under certain conditions, according to Harleysville Mutual Insurance and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Electrical wiring is a major concern because electrical sparks can be an ignition source for fire and explosion in such atmospheres. In order to control this hazard for workers, OSHA created 20CFR 1926.66 subpart D, the standard criteria for design and construction of paint spray booths.

Instructions

• 1

  Install ventilation fan motors inside the paint booth that have explosion-proof wiring. Ensure that the ventilation fan is an induction type and sealed. According to Harleysville Mutual Insurance, this is a common problem that is often overlooked in the construction of paint booths. OSHA 29CFR1926.66(f)(4) states that all electrical support equipment such as control panels and transformers must be wired so as to be located outside the paint booth.

• 2

  Wire all electrical switches and junction boxes so they are located outside the paint booth itself. If this is not possible, switches and junction boxes must be explosion-proof and listed by Underwriters Laboratory for use in spray booth applications. In order to conform to OSHA standards, use only wiring that is approved for Class I group D locations. Wiring, electric motors and other appliances separated from the paint booth by 20 feet or less and not isolated by a partition must not produce sparks during normal operations and conform to Class I Division 2 hazardous location standards.

• 3

  Install explosion-proof lights in the paint booth. Lights must be a vapor-seal type resistant to infiltration by any type of paint booth dust and isolated from the paint booth itself by wire infused glass. Plexiglas cannot be used in this application. Portable electric light fixtures are not to be allowed in the paint booth at any time according to Federated Insurance.