ANNEX A
A.1.1.4 There are many industrial applications that involve
routine use of small quantities of flammable or combustible
liquids (e.g., coatings, lubricants, adhesives) on a regular or
periodic basis. An example would be touch-up of manufac-
tured articles using aerosol containers or small, portable spray
application equipment. The intent of this provision is to allow
such use without having to comply with the requirements of
NFPA 33.
A.1.1.5 This standard does not cover spray application opera-
tions that are conducted outdoors on buildings, bridges,
tanks, or similar structures. These situations occur only occa-
sionally for any given structure and overspray deposits are not
likely to present a hazardous condition. Also, the space where
there might be an ignitible vapor–air or dust–air mixture is
very limited due to atmospheric dilution.
A.1.1.6 The occasional use of small portable spray equipment
or aerosol spray containers is not likely to result in hazardous
accumulations of overspray. Therefore, such operations are
not within the scope of this standard. The following safe-
guards, however, should be observed:
(1) Adequate ventilation should be provided at all times, par-
ticularly where spray application is conducted in relatively
small rooms or enclosures.
(2) Spray application should not be conducted in the vicinity
of open flames or other sources of ignition. Either the
spray operation should be relocated or the source of igni-
tion should be removed or turned off.
(3) Containers of coating materials, thinners, or other haz-
ardous materials should be kept tightly closed when not
actually being used.
(4) Oily or coating-laden rags or waste should be disposed of
promptly and in a safe manner at the end of each day’s
operations, due to the potential for spontaneous ignition.
(5) The same fundamental rules for area cleanliness and
housekeeping that are required for industrial spray appli-
cation operations should be observed.
A.1.2.2 The requirements of this standard are intended to
minimize the risk of fire and explosion; they are not intended
and might not be adequate to protect personnel from the
toxic or negative effects from exposure to the materials used.
A.3.2.1 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association
does not approve, inspect, or certify any installations, proce-
dures, equipment, or materials; nor does it approve or evalu-
ate testing laboratories. In determining the acceptability of
installations, procedures, equipment, or materials, the author-
ity having jurisdiction may base acceptance on compliance
with NFPA or other appropriate standards. In the absence of
such standards, said authority may require evidence of proper
installation, procedure, or use. The authority having jurisdic-
tion may also refer to the listings or labeling practices of an
organization that is concerned with product evaluations and is
thus in a position to determine compliance with appropriate
standards for the current production of listed items.
A.3.2.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The phrase “au-
thority having jurisdiction,” or its acronym AHJ, is used in
NFPA documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and
approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where pub-
lic safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a
federal, state, local, or other regional department or indi-
vidual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire preven-
tion bureau, labor department, or health department; build-
ing official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory
33–29
authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection de-
partment, rating bureau, or other insurance company repre-
sentative may be the authority having jurisdiction. In many
circumstances, the property owner or his or her designated
agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at
government installations, the commanding officer or depart-
mental official may be the authority having jurisdiction.
A.3.2.4 Listed. The means for identifying listed equipment
may vary for each organization concerned with product evalu-
ation; some organizations do not recognize equipment as
listed unless it is also labeled. The authority having jurisdic-
tion should utilize the system employed by the listing organi-
zation to identify a listed product.
A.3.3.1 Ambient. Most lower explosive limit (LEL) (also
known as “lower flammable limit” or “LFL”) values are re-
ported at 25°C (77°F), although several are given at 100°C
(212°F). The LEL value decreases at higher temperatures, so it
is necessary that the LEL value for the particular solvent be
corrected for the operating temperature of the spray booth or
spray room when operating above 25°C (77°F). See 12.6.8.3 of
NFPA 86, Standard for Ovens and Furnaces, for calculation of the
correction factor. Note that NFPA 86 uses the term lower flam-
mable limit (LFL).
A.3.3.2.3 Spray Area. For the purpose of this standard, the
authority having jurisdiction can define the limits of the spray
area in any specific case. The spray area in the vicinity of spray
application operations will necessarily vary with the design
and arrangement of the equipment and with the method of
operation. Where spray application operations are strictly con-
fined to predetermined spaces that are provided with ad-
equate and reliable ventilation (such as a properly designed
and constructed spray booth), the spray area ordinarily will
not extend beyond this space. When spray application opera-
tions are not confined to an adequately ventilated space, then
the spray area might extend throughout the room or building
area where the spraying is conducted.
A.3.3.14 Spray Booth. Spray booths are manufactured in a
variety of forms, including automotive refinishing, downdraft,
open-face, traveling, tunnel, and updraft booths. This defini-
tion is not intended to limit the term spray booth to any particu-
lar design. The entire spray booth is part of the spray area. A
spray booth is not a spray room.
A.3.3.15 Spray Room. The entire spray room is considered
part of the spray area. A spray booth is not a spray room.
A.4.1 Fires involving spray application operations and pro-
cesses can be expected to develop rapidly and to generate
copious quantities of heat and smoke. In sprinklered build-
ings, such fires can also result in the operation of a greater-
than-normal number of sprinklers. The following guidance is
offered:
(1) Operations and equipment should be arranged and lo-
cated so that there is adequate egress for personnel and
adequate access for fire-fighting operations. Where spray
application operations are extensive, they should be lo-
cated in a separate building or in an area that is separated
by fire-rated construction from all other operations or
storage.
(2) Spray application operations that incorporate assembly lines
or conveyor systems present special problems. If conveyor
systems extend between separate buildings, a noncombus-
tible or limited-combustible, sprinkler-protected enclosure
2011 Edition