Spray booths are built to sweep air toward the exhaust, with smooth interiors that do not trap residue. A clear space of at least 3 feet on all sides is kept free of storage and combustible construction.
No open flame or spark-producing equipment in any spraying area or within 20 feet, unless separated by a partition. Electrical wiring and equipment in a spraying area must be explosion-proof type approved for Class I, Division 1 locations (where combustible residue can readily build up, no electrical equipment is allowed unless specifically approved for that location, except wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices, or terminal connections), and wiring, motors and other equipment within 20 feet and not separated by a partition must not produce sparks under normal operating conditions.
No space heaters, steam pipes or hot surfaces where combustible residue can build up.
Spraying is not conducted outside predetermined spraying areas.
Spraying areas have mechanical ventilation to remove flammable vapors, mists or powders. It runs at all times while spraying and long enough afterward to exhaust vapors from drying parts and residue.
Each booth has its own exhaust duct to the outside (multiple cabinet booths using identical finishing material, with a combined frontal area of not more than 18 square feet, may share a common exhaust). Fan motors are not inside booths or ducts. Dampers, if any, are kept fully open while the system runs.
Exhaust air is not recirculated.
Freshly sprayed articles dry only where ventilation prevents explosive vapors.
Discarded filters go immediately to a safe, well-detached location or into a water-filled metal container, and are disposed of at the end of the day unless kept completely in water.
Spraying areas are kept as free of combustible residue as practical, cleaning daily if needed, using nonsparking scrapers and tools. Residue is removed from the premises immediately.
Rags and waste with finishing material go immediately into approved metal waste cans, emptied at least once daily or at the end of each shift.
Spray finishing clothing is not left overnight unless in metal lockers.
Cleaning solvents must have flashpoints of not less than 100 °F, except that spray nozzles and auxiliary equipment may be cleaned with solvents having flashpoints not less than those normally used in spray operations. Such cleaning is done inside spray booths with the ventilating equipment operated during cleaning.
Do not alternate coating materials that could spontaneously ignite together unless all deposits of the first are removed first.
Hose connections on containers and piping have shutoff valves, kept shut when not spraying. Pressure hoses are inspected regularly, and any hose showing deterioration, leaks or weakness is withdrawn from service.
When transferring flammable liquids between containers, bond and ground both containers to prevent static sparks. Metal parts of booths, ducts and piping are permanently grounded.
No Smoking signs in large letters are posted at all spraying areas and paint storage rooms.
The gun handle is grounded, and the operator is in electrical contact with it in normal position.
All conductive objects in the spraying area are grounded, including paint containers and wash cans.
Parts being coated stay in metal contact with the grounded conveyor or support, and hooks are cleaned regularly to keep that contact.
The equipment is interlocked with ventilation so it cannot run unless the fans are on.
Powder coating
Exhaust keeps the atmosphere below the lowest explosive limit, and powders are not released outside.
Keep all areas, especially ledges, beams, pipes, hoods, booths and floors, free of powder dust accumulation, and clean without scattering dust or creating clouds. No Smoking signs are posted.
Fact-checked against the regulation text on October 09, 2026. This certificate records completion of awareness training based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.107. It is not an OSHA card or license. 29 CFR 1910.107 has no training requirement of its own. Your employer must still keep spraying within predetermined spraying areas, maintain the spray booths, ventilation, electrical equipment, grounding and residue disposal as 1910.107 requires, and post “No smoking” signs at all spraying areas and paint storage rooms. Training that other OSHA standards require for your job, such as respiratory protection or hazard communication, is separate.
This guide explains the rule in plain words. Always read the regulation itself and your employer's site-specific procedures.