1910.107(d): Spray Area Ventilation
Employers must provide spraying areas with mechanical ventilation that removes flammable vapors, mists or powders to a safe location and controls combustible residues, kept running during spraying and long enough after for drying vapors to be exhausted. Each spray booth needs an independent exhaust to the outside, with limited exceptions, and fans must be nonsparking.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 60 times in the last 3 years, in 48 inspections, with $108,403 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MO (10), VA (5), WY (5).
- Related part: 1910.107(d)(2) General (25 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(d) ("Ventilation") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 14 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
(d) Ventilation — 60 citations
(1) Conformance. Ventilating and exhaust systems shall be in accordance with the Standard for Blower and Exhaust Systems for Vapor Removal, NFPA No. 91-1961, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6, where applicable and shall also conform to the provisions of this section. 8 citations
(2) General. All spraying areas shall be provided with mechanical ventilation adequate to remove flammable vapors, mists, or powders to a safe location and to confine and control combustible residues so that life is not endangered. Mechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all times while spraying operations are being conducted and for a sufficient time thereafter to allow vapors from drying coated articles and drying finishing material residue to be exhausted. Open (d)(2) 25 citations
(3) Independent exhaust. Each spray booth shall have an independent exhaust duct system discharging to the exterior of the building, except that multiple cabinet spray booths in which identical spray finishing material is used with a combined frontal area of not more than 18 square feet may have a common exhaust. If more than one fan serves one booth, all fans shall be so interconnected that one fan cannot operate without all fans being operated. 3 citations
(4) Fan-rotating element. The fan-rotating element shall be nonferrous or nonsparking or the casing shall consist of or be lined with such material. There shall be ample clearance between the fan-rotating element and the fan casing to avoid a fire by friction, necessary allowance being made for ordinary expansion and loading to prevent contact between moving parts and the duct or fan housing. Fan blades shall be mounted on a shaft sufficiently heavy to maintain perfect alignment even when the blades of the fan are heavily loaded, the shaft preferably to have bearings outside the duct and booth. All bearings shall be of the self-lubricating type, or lubricated from the outside duct. 4 citations
(5) Electric motors. Electric motors driving exhaust fans shall not be placed inside booths or ducts. See also paragraph (c) of this section. 6 citations
(6) Belts. Belts shall not enter the duct or booth unless the belt and pulley within the duct or booth are thoroughly enclosed.
(7) Exhaust ducts. Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of steel and shall be substantially supported. Exhaust ducts without dampers are preferred; however, if dampers are installed, they shall be maintained so that they will be in a full open position at all times the ventilating system is in operation. 5 citations
(i) Exhaust ducts shall be protected against mechanical damage and have a clearance from unprotected combustible construction or other combustible material of not less than 18 inches. 1 citations
(ii) If combustible construction is provided with the following protection applied to all surfaces within 18 inches, clearances may be reduced to the distances indicated:
| (a) 28-gage sheet metal on 1⁄4-inch asbestos mill board | 12 inches. |
| (b) 28-gage sheet metal on 1⁄8-inch asbestos mill board spaced out 1 inch on noncombustible spacers | 9 inches. |
| (c) 22-gage sheet metal on 1-inch rockwool batts reinforced with wire mesh or the equivalent | 3 inches. |
| (d) Where ducts are protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system, properly maintained, the clearance required in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph may be reduced to 6 inches |
(8) Discharge clearance. Unless the spray booth exhaust duct terminal is from a water-wash spray booth, the terminal discharge point shall be not less than 6 feet from any combustible exterior wall or roof nor discharge in the direction of any combustible construction or unprotected opening in any noncombustible exterior wall within 25 feet.
(9) Air exhaust. Air exhaust from spray operations shall not be directed so that it will contaminate makeup air being introduced into the spraying area or other ventilating intakes, nor directed so as to create a nuisance. Air exhausted from spray operations shall not be recirculated. Open (d)(9) 2 citations
(10) Access doors. When necessary to facilitate cleaning, exhaust ducts shall be provided with an ample number of access doors. 1 citations
(11) Room intakes. Air intake openings to rooms containing spray finishing operations shall be adequate for the efficient operation of exhaust fans and shall be so located as to minimize the creation of dead air pockets. 1 citations
(12) Drying spaces. Freshly sprayed articles shall be dried only in spaces provided with adequate ventilation to prevent the formation of explosive vapors. In the event adequate and reliable ventilation is not provided such drying spaces shall be considered a spraying area. See also paragraph (j) of this section. 5 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 | 6 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Top states: MO (10), VA (5), WY (5), CT (4), VT (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GALVION BALLISTICS LTD. | NEWPORT, VT | $34,565 |
| INDUSTRIAL TURNAROUND CORPORATION | CHESTER, VA | $11,010 |
| KASON CORPORATION | MILLBURN, NJ | $8,000 |
| FRESH WATA, LLC. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $7,813 |
| 27NORTH | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $6,024 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Hierarchy of controls for exposure to air contaminants (2002-06-24)
- Full compliance with NFPA 33-2000 may be considered a de minimus violation. (2001-09-17)
- Use of "Electronic Air Cleaners" for spray finishing operations. (1975-10-02)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(d)(2) General 25 citations
- 1910.107(d)(9) Air exhaust 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must spray area ventilation run?
At all times while spraying operations are conducted and for a sufficient time afterward to exhaust drying vapors.
Can spray booths share an exhaust?
Each booth needs an independent exhaust, except multiple cabinet booths using identical material with a combined frontal area of not more than 18 square feet.
What fan material is required?
The fan-rotating element must be nonferrous or nonsparking, or the casing must consist of or be lined with such material.
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 2026-10-22
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.