• NEC in the Facility

    Does your facility have any areas used for spraying, dipping, or coating processes? If these operations run regularly, you must apply Art. 516 [516.1].
    Jan. 15, 2010

    Does your facility have any areas used for spraying, dipping, or coating processes? If these operations run regularly, you must apply Art. 516 [516.1].

    Article 516 differentiates between a spray room, spray booth, and spray area [516.2]:

    • Spray room: A dedicated room with dedicated ventilation supply and exhaust.
    • Spray booth: A dedicated enclosure (within a room) with dedicated ventilation exhaust (ventilation supply needn’t be dedicated).
    • Spray area: An area that has some local vapor extraction or ventilation.

    Some requirements apply to only one or two of the above. Regardless of whether you have a room, booth, or enclosure, you must classify the location [516.3]. The location must conform to the applicable requirements that follow from 516.5 onward.

    Classification isn’t as hard as it sounds:

    • The interior of a container of flammable liquid is Class I, Division 1 or Class I, Zone 0.
    • The interiors of spray booths, exhaust ducts, sumps, and some other areas are Class I or Class II, Division 1.
    • Places open to air are generally Class I or Class II, Division 2.
    Use Figure 516.3(C)(5) to help you determine with which classification you are working.
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