1910.107(b)(5): Dry Overspray Filters in Spray Booths
In conventional dry type spray booths with overspray filters or filter rolls, employers must keep average air velocity over the open booth face at not less than 100 linear feet per minute, or not less than 60 for electrostatic spraying, with gauges or alarms to confirm it. Discarded filters must be removed to a safe detached location or put in a water-filled metal container, sprinklers must protect both sides of the filters, and filters must meet combustibility limits.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(b)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 239 times in the last 3 years, in 194 inspections, with $429,200 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (25), TN (22), MD (18).
- Related part: 1910.107(b) Spray booths (559 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(b)(5) ("Dry type overspray collectors—(exhaust air filters)") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 6 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(5) Dry type overspray collectors—(exhaust air filters). In conventional dry type spray booths, overspray dry filters or filter rolls, if installed, shall conform to the following: 239 citations
(i) The spraying operations except electrostatic spraying operations shall be so designed, installed and maintained that the average air velocity over the open face of the booth (or booth cross section during spraying operations) shall be not less than 100 linear feet per minute. Electrostatic spraying operations may be conducted with an air velocity over the open face of the booth of not less than 60 linear feet per minute, or more, depending on the volume of the finishing material being applied and its flammability and explosion characteristics. Visible gauges or audible alarm or pressure activated devices shall be installed to indicate or insure that the required air velocity is maintained. Filter rolls shall be inspected to insure proper replacement of filter media. Open (b)(5)(i) 152 citations
(ii) All discarded filter pads and filter rolls shall be immediately removed to a safe, well-detached location or placed in a water-filled metal container and disposed of at the close of the day's operation unless maintained completely in water. Open (b)(5)(ii) 6 citations
(iii) The location of filters in a spray booth shall be so as to not reduce the effective booth enclosure of the articles being sprayed.
(iv) Space within the spray booth on the downstream and upstream sides of filters shall be protected with approved automatic sprinklers. Open (b)(5)(iv) 79 citations
(v) Filters or filter rolls shall not be used when applying a spray material known to be highly susceptible to spontaneous heating and ignition.
(vi) Clean filters or filter rolls shall be noncombustible or of a type having a combustibility not in excess of class 2 filters as listed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. Filters and filter rolls shall not be alternately used for different types of coating materials, where the combination of materials may be conducive to spontaneous ignition. See also paragraph (g)(6) of this section. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 77 |
| 2025 | 84 |
| 2026 | 66 |
Top states: MN (25), TN (22), MD (18), NC (14), NY (13)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $16,550 |
| 159902 - TRIPLE CROWN TRAILERS NC, LLC | HICKORY, NC | $11,585 |
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $11,408 |
| XYLEM, INC. | MORTON GROVE, IL | $11,348 |
| OUTDOOR FURNITURE REFINISHING, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $11,292 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(b)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Storage requirements for discarded filters/pads and for water-filled metal containers in 1910.107. (2008-02-11)
- Spray booth requirements including automatic sprinkler systems, relationship to NFPA 33 requirements, and paint storage. (2004-08-12)
- Clarification of minimum face velocity requirements for spray booths (2001-10-22)
- Unfavorable Review Commission Decision. (1991-05-13)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(b) Spray booths 559 citations
- 1910.107(b)(9) Cleaning 204 citations
- 1910.107(b)(5)(i) 152 citations
- 1910.107(b)(5)(iv) 79 citations
- 1910.107(b)(1) Construction 39 citations
- 1910.107(b)(2) Interiors 29 citations
- 1910.107(b)(10) Illumination 19 citations
- 1910.107(b)(3) Floors 14 citations
- 1910.107(b)(8) Separation of operations 12 citations
- 1910.107(b)(5)(ii) 6 citations
- 1910.107(b)(6) Frontal area 3 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What air velocity is required in a dry filter spray booth?
Not less than 100 linear feet per minute over the open face, or not less than 60 linear feet per minute for electrostatic spraying, depending on the material.
What must be done with used filter pads?
Immediately remove them to a safe, well-detached location or place them in a water-filled metal container, and dispose of them at the close of the day's operation unless kept completely in water.
Can filters be used with every spray material?
No. They shall not be used when applying a spray material known to be highly susceptible to spontaneous heating and ignition.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.107 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.