CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE — MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
CHAPTER 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user.
See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
| Adopting Agency | BSC | BSC- CG | SFM | HCD | DSA | OSHPD | BSCC | DPH | AGR | DWR | CEC | CA | SL | SLC | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-24 | T-19* | 1 | 2 | 1/AC | AC | SS | 1 | 1R | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||
| Adopt Entire Chapter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adopt Entire Chapter as amended (amended sections listed below) | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adopt only those sections that are listed below | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chapter / Section | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2407.2 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user's convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same.
This chapter shall apply to locations or areas where any of the following activities are conducted:
- The application of flammable finishes to articles or materials by means of spray apparatus.
- The application of flammable finishes by dipping or immersing articles or materials into the contents of tanks, vats or containers of flammable or combustible liquids for coating, finishing, treatment or similar processes.
- The application of flammable finishes by applying combustible powders to articles or materials utilizing powder spray guns, electrostatic powder spray guns, fluidized beds or electrostatic fluidized beds.
- Floor surfacing or finishing operations using Class I or II liquids in areas exceeding 350 square feet (32.5 m2).
- The application of flammable finishes consisting of dual-component coatings or Class I or II liquids where applied by brush or roller in quantities exceeding 1 gallon (4 L).
This chapter shall not apply to spray finishing utilizing flammable or combustible liquids that do not sustain combustion, including:
- Liquids that do not have a fire point when tested in accordance with ASTM D92.
- Liquids with a flashpoint greater than 95°F (35°C) in a water-miscible solution or dispersion with a water and inert (noncombustible) solids content of more than 80 percent by weight.
Electrical equipment, flammable vapor areas or drying operations that are subject to splashing or dripping of liquids shall be specifically approved for locations containing deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors.
Exceptions:
- This provision shall not apply to wiring in rigid conduit, threaded boxes or fittings not containing taps, splices or terminal connections.
- This provision shall not apply to electrostatic equipment allowed by Section 2407.
In resin application areas, electrical wiring and equipment that is subject to deposits of combustible residues shall be listed for such exposure and shall be installed as required for hazardous (classified) locations. Electrical wiring and equipment not subject to deposits of combustible residues shall be installed as required for ordinary hazard locations.
Electrical equipment in flammable vapor areas located such that deposits of combustible residues could readily accumulate thereon shall be specifically approved for locations containing deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive vapors in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
Exceptions:
- Wiring in rigid conduit.
- Boxes or fittings not containing taps, splices or terminal connections.
- Equipment allowed by Sections 2404 and 2407 and Chapter 30.
Open flames and spark-producing devices shall not be located in flammable vapor areas and shall not be located within 20 feet (6096 mm) of such areas unless separated by a permanent partition.
Exception: Drying and baking apparatus complying with Section 2404.6.1.2.
Heated surfaces having a temperature sufficient to ignite vapors shall not be located in flammable vapor areas. Space-heating appliances, steam pipes or hot surfaces in a flammable vapor area shall be located such that they are not subject to accumulation of deposits of combustible residues.
Exception: Drying apparatus complying with Section 2404.6.1.2.
Welding, cutting and similar spark-producing operations shall not be conducted in or adjacent to flammable vapor areas or dipping or coating operations unless precautions have been taken to provide safety. Conspicuous signs with the following warning shall be posted in the vicinity of flammable vapor areas, dipping operations and paint storage rooms:
NO WELDING
THE USE OF WELDING OR CUTTING
EQUIPMENT IN OR NEAR THIS AREA
IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF FIRE
AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS. WELDING
AND CUTTING SHALL BE DONE ONLY
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE
PERSON IN CHARGE.
Spray-finishing operations conducted in buildings used for Group A, E, I or R occupancies shall be located in a spray room protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and separated vertically and horizontally from the remainder of the building by fire barrier walls and horizontal assemblies with not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating in accordance with the California Building Code. In other occupancies, spray-finishing operations shall be conducted in a spray room, spray booth or limited spraying space approved for such use.
Exceptions:
- Automobile undercoating spray operations and spray-on automotive lining operations conducted in areas with approved natural or mechanical ventilation shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 2404 when approved and where utilizing Class IIIA or IIIB combustible liquids.
- In buildings other than Group A, E, I or R occupancies, approved limited spraying space in accordance with Section 2404.9.
- Resin application areas used for manufacturing of reinforced plastics complying with Section 2409 shall not be required to be located in a spray room, spray booth or spraying space.
Means of egress shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 10.
Exception: Means of egress doors from premanufactured spray booths shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in width by 80 inches (2032 mm) in height.
Spray booths shall be installed so that all parts of the booth are able to be accessed for cleaning. A clear space of not less than 3 feet (914 mm) shall be maintained on all sides of the spray booth. This clear space shall be kept free of any storage or combustible construction.
Exceptions:
- This requirement shall not prohibit locating a spray booth closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to or directly against an interior partition, wall or floor/ceiling assembly that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, provided that the spray booth can be adequately maintained and cleaned.
- This requirement shall not prohibit locating a spray booth closer than 3 feet (914 mm) to an exterior wall or a roof assembly, provided that the wall or roof is constructed of noncombustible material and the spray booth can be adequately maintained and cleaned.
The aggregate area of spray booths in a building shall not exceed the lesser of 10 percent of the area of any floor of a building or the basic area allowed for a Group H-2 occupancy without area increases, as set forth in the California Building Code. The area of an individual spray booth in a building shall not exceed the lesser of the aggregate size limit or 1,500 square feet (139 m2).
Exception: One individual booth not exceeding 500 square feet (46 m2).
The spraying apparatus, drying apparatus and ventilating system for the spray booth or spray room shall be equipped with interlocks arranged to accomplish all of the following:
- Prevent operation of the spraying apparatus while drying operations are in progress.
- Where the drying apparatus is located in the spray booth or spray room, prevent operation of the drying apparatus until a timed purge of spray vapors from the spray booth or spray room is complete. This purge time shall be based on completing not fewer than four air changes of spray booth or spray room volume or for a period of not less than 3 minutes, whichever is greater.
- Have the ventilating system maintain a safe atmosphere within the spray booth or spray room during the drying process and automatically shut off drying apparatus in the event of a failure of the ventilating system.
- Shut off the drying apparatus automatically if the air temperature within the booth exceeds 200°F (93°C).
Air exhausted from spraying operations shall not be recirculated.
Exceptions:
Air exhausted from spraying operations is allowed to be recirculated as makeup air for unmanned spray operations, provided that all of the following conditions exist:
- 1.1. The solid particulate has been removed.
- 1.2. The vapor concentration is less than 25 percent of the LFL.
- 1.3. Approved equipment is used to monitor the vapor concentration.
1.4. When the vapor concentration exceeds 25 percent of the LFL, both of the following shall occur:
- 1.4.1. An alarm shall sound.
- 1.4.2. Spray operations shall automatically shut down.
- 1.5. In the event of shutdown of the vapor concentration monitor, 100 percent of the air volume specified in the California Mechanical Code is automatically exhausted.
- Air exhausted from spraying operations is allowed to be recirculated as makeup air to manned spraying operations where all of the conditions provided in Exception 1 are included in the installation and documents have been prepared to show that the installation does not pose a life safety hazard to personnel inside the spray booth, spraying space or spray room.
For spray application operations conducted in an open-face or open-front spray booth, the ventilation system shall be designed, installed and maintained so that the average air velocity into the spray booth through all openings is not less than 100 feet per minute (0.51 m/s).
Exception: For fixed or automated electrostatic spray application equipment, the average air velocity into the spray booth through all openings shall be not less than 50 feet per minute (0.25 m/s).
For spray application operations conducted in an enclosed spray booth or spray room with openings for product conveyance, the ventilation system shall be designed, installed and maintained so that the average air velocity into the spray booth through openings is not less than 100 feet per minute (0.51 m/s).
Exceptions:
- For fixed or automated electrostatic spray application equipment, the average air velocity into the spray booth through all openings shall be not less than 50 feet per minute (0.25 m/s).
- Where methods are used to reduce cross drafts that can draw vapors and overspray through openings from the spray booth or spray room, the average air velocity into the spray booth or spray room shall be that necessary to capture and confine vapors and overspray to the spray booth or spray room.
Each spray booth and spray room shall have an independent exhaust duct system discharging to the outside.
Exceptions:
- Multiple spray booths having a combined frontal area of 18 square feet (1.67 m2) or less are allowed to have a common exhaust where identical spray finishing material is used in each booth. If more than one fan serves one booth, fans shall be interconnected such that all fans will operate simultaneously.
Where treatment of exhaust is necessary for air pollution control or for energy conservation, ducts shall be allowed to be manifolded if all of the following conditions are met:
- 2.1. The sprayed materials used are compatible and will not react or cause ignition of the residue in the ducts.
- 2.2. Nitrocellulose-based finishing material shall not be used.
- 2.3. A filtering system shall be provided to reduce the amount of overspray carried into the duct manifold.
- 2.4. Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided at the junction of each booth exhaust with the manifold, in addition to the protection required by this chapter.
The termination point for exhaust ducts discharging to the atmosphere shall be not less than the following distances:
- Ducts conveying explosive or flammable vapors, fumes or dusts: 30 feet (9144 mm) from the lot line; 10 feet (3048 mm) from openings into the building; 6 feet (1829 mm) from exterior walls and roofs; 30 feet (9144 mm) from combustible walls or openings into the building that are in the direction of the exhaust discharge; 10 feet (3048 mm) above adjoining grade.
- Other product-conveying outlets: 10 feet (3048 mm) from the lot line; 3 feet (914 mm) from exterior walls and roofs; 10 feet (3048 mm) from openings into the building; 10 feet (3048 mm) above adjoining grade.
Air makeup and flammable vapor area exhaust systems shall not be interlocked with the fire alarm system and shall remain in operation during a fire alarm condition.
Exception: Where the type of fire-extinguishing system used requires such ventilation to be discontinued, air makeup and exhaust systems shall shut down and dampers shall close.
Dip tanks greater than 500 gallons (1893 L) in liquid capacity shall be equipped with bottom drains that are arranged to automatically and manually drain the tank quickly in the event of a fire unless the viscosity of the liquid at normal atmospheric temperature makes this impractical. Access to the manual operation shall be from a safe location. Where gravity flow is not practicable, automatic pumps shall be provided. Such drains shall be trapped and discharged to a closed, vented salvage tank or to an approved outside location.
Exception: Dip tanks containing Class IIIB combustible liquids where the liquids are not heated above room temperature and the process area is protected by automatic sprinklers.
An approved automatic fire-extinguishing system or dip-tank cover in accordance with Section 2405.3.4 shall be provided for the following dip tanks:
- Dip tanks less than 150 gallons (568 L) in capacity or 10 square feet (0.93 m2) in liquid surface area.
- Dip tanks containing a liquid with a flash point below 110°F (43°C) used in such manner that the liquid temperature could equal or be greater than its flash point from artificial or natural causes, and having both a capacity of more than 10 gallons (37.9 L) and a liquid surface area of more than 4 square feet (0.37 m2).
Powder coating rooms shall be constructed of noncombustible materials. Spray booths shall be constructed in accordance with Section 2404.3.3.
Exception: Listed spray-booth assemblies that are constructed of other materials shall be allowed.
Automated powder application equipment shall be protected by the installation of an approved, supervised flame detection apparatus that shall react to the presence of flame within 0.5 second and shall accomplish all of the following:
- Shutting down of energy supplies (electrical and compressed air) to conveyor, ventilation, application, transfer and powder collection equipment.
- Closing of segregation dampers in associated ductwork to interrupt airflow from application equipment to powder collectors.
- Activation of an alarm that is audible throughout the powder coating room or booth.
A space of not less than twice the sparking distance shall be maintained between goods being painted or deteared and electrodes, electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors. The equipment manufacturer's operating instructions shall be consulted to determine the sparking distance of the equipment involved. A sign stating the sparking distance shall be conspicuously posted near the assembly.
Exception: Portable electrostatic paint-spraying apparatus listed for use in Class I, Division 1, locations.
Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads shall be of approved construction, rigidly supported in permanent locations and effectively insulated from ground. Insulators shall be nonporous and noncombustible.
Exception: Portable electrostatic paint-spraying apparatus listed for use in Class I, Division 1, locations.
Booths, fencing, railings or guards shall be placed about the equipment such that either by their location or character, or both, isolation of the process is maintained from plant storage and personnel. Railings, fencing and guards shall be of conductive material, adequately grounded, and not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from processing equipment.
Exception: Portable electrostatic paint-spraying apparatus listed for use in Class I, Division 1, locations.
Automated liquid electrostatic spray application equipment shall be protected by the installation of an approved, supervised flame detection apparatus that shall, in the event of ignition, react to the presence of flame within 0.5 second and shall accomplish all of the following:
- Activation of a local alarm in the vicinity of the spraying operation and activation of the building alarm system, if such a system is provided.
- Shutting down of the coating material delivery system.
- Termination of all spray application operations.
- Stopping of conveyors into and out of the flammable vapor areas.
- Disconnection of power to the high-voltage elements in the flammable vapor areas and disconnection of power to the system.
Signs shall be posted to provide the following information:
- Designate the process zone as dangerous with respect to fire and accident.
- Identify the grounding requirements for all electrically conductive objects in the flammable vapor area, including persons.
- Restrict access to qualified personnel only.
Electrostatic apparatus shall be equipped with automatic controls operating without time delay to disconnect the power supply to the high-voltage transformer and signal the operator under any of the following conditions:
- Stoppage of ventilating fans or failure of ventilating equipment from any cause.
- Stoppage of the conveyor carrying articles past the high-voltage grid.
- Occurrence of a ground or an imminent ground at any point of the high-voltage system.
- Reduction of clearance below that required in Section 2407.2.
Mechanical ventilation shall be provided throughout resin application areas in accordance with Section 2404.7. The ventilation rate shall be adequate to maintain the concentration of flammable vapors in the resin application area at or below 25 percent of the LFL.
Exception: Mechanical ventilation is not required for buildings that have 75 percent of the perimeter unenclosed.
