1910.107(f): Fire Protection for Spray Finishing Areas
Employers must make sure sprinkler systems in spray finishing rooms meet the sprinkler rules, with heads placed to spread water throughout the entire booth. Each spray booth and its exhaust must be on an accessible separate outside stem and yoke subcontrol valve, sprinklers must be kept as free of deposits as practical, cleaning daily if necessary, and enough suitable portable fire extinguishers must be installed near all spraying areas.
Key takeaways
- 1910.107(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $13,897 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (5), MA (3), MD (2).
- Related part: 1910.107(f)(3) Cleaning of heads (17 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.107(f) ("Protection") is one requirement inside 1910.107 Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 4 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
(f) Protection — 29 citations
(1) Conformance. In sprinklered buildings, the automatic sprinkler system in rooms containing spray finishing operations shall conform to the requirements of § 1910.159. In unsprinklered buildings where sprinklers are installed only to protect spraying areas, the installation shall conform to such standards insofar as they are applicable. Sprinkler heads shall be located so as to provide water distribution throughout the entire booth. 4 citations
(2) Valve access. Automatic sprinklers protecting each spray booth (together with its connecting exhaust) shall be under an accessibly located separate outside stem and yoke (OS&Y) subcontrol valve.
(3) Cleaning of heads. Sprinklers protecting spraying areas shall be kept as free from deposits as practical by cleaning daily if necessary. (See also paragraph (g) of this section.) Open (f)(3) 17 citations
(4) Portable extinguishers. An adequate supply of suitable portable fire extinguishers shall be installed near all spraying areas. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.107.
Export the list: 29 inspections cited 1910.107(f) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: MN (5), MA (3), MD (2), TN (2), ID (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DOONAN SPECIALIZED TRAILER LLC | GREAT BEND, KS | $2,979 |
| WILLIAMS BODY AND PAINT INCORPORATED | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $2,765 |
| 109357 - PLYMOLD INC | KENYON, MN | $2,000 |
| JD MILLWORK & CABINETS, INC. | ASHLAND, MA | $1,500 |
| 110515 - PRECISE PRODUCTS CORP | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $960 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.107(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.107(f).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.107(f)(3) Cleaning of heads 17 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where must sprinkler heads be located in a spray booth?
They must be located to provide water distribution throughout the entire booth.
How often must sprinkler heads in spray areas be cleaned?
They must be kept as free from deposits as practical, cleaning daily if necessary.
Are fire extinguishers required near spraying areas?
Yes. An adequate supply of suitable portable fire extinguishers must be installed near all spraying areas.
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 2026-11-05
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.