{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-fc-2404","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 2404","heading":"Section FC 2404: Spray Finishing","body":"2404.1 General.\n\nSpraying operations involving the use of flammable or combustible liquids in continuous or intermittent processes shall be conducted in accordance with this section and FC 2403 and 2407, as applicable.\n\n2404.2 Location.\n\nExcept in Group A, E, I and R occupancies, spraying operations shall be conducted in a spray room or a spray booth complying with the applicable requirements of FC 2404.3, unless the extent of such operations allows them to be conducted in a limited-spraying space in accordance with FC 2404.5. In Group A, E, I and R occupancies, spray-finishing operations shall be conducted in a spray room in compliance with the applicable requirements of FC 2404.3.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Approved automobile undercoating spray operations and spray-on automotive lining operations, utilizing liquids having a flashpoint above 140ºF (60°C), when conducted in areas with approved natural or mechanical ventilation.\n\n2. The application of resin in the manufacturing of reinforced plastics in accordance with FC 2409.\n\n2404.2.1 Below grade areas.\n\nSpray rooms and spray booths shall not be located in basements, cellars or other areas below grade.\n\n2404.3 Design and installation.\n\nSpray rooms and spray booths shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of FC 2404.3.1 through 2404.3.7, as applicable.\n\n2404.3.1 Construction of spray rooms.\n\nSpray rooms shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of the Building Code and Mechanical Code, including vertical and horizontal separation from other spaces. Spray rooms shall additionally comply with the requirements of this section.\n\n2404.3.2 Construction of spray booths.\n\nSpray booths shall be designed and installed in compliance with the requirements of the Building Code and Mechanical Code, NFPA 33 and this section.\n\n2404.3.2.1 Materials.\n\nSpray booths shall be constructed of approved noncombustible materials. Aluminum shall not be used. Where walls or ceiling assemblies are constructed of sheet metal, single-skin assemblies shall be no thinner than 0.0478 inch (18 gauge) (1.2 mm) and each sheet of double-skin assemblies shall be no thinner than 0.0359 inch (20 gauge) (0.9 mm). Structural sections of spray booths may be sealed with latex-based or similar caulks and sealants. The interior surfaces of spray booths shall be smooth and shall be constructed so as to permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the interior and to facilitate washing and cleaning, and shall be designed to confine residues within the booth.\n\n2404.3.2.2 Clear space.\n\nSpray booths shall be installed so that all parts of the booth are readily accessible for cleaning and other maintenance. A clear space of not less than 3 feet (914 mm) shall be maintained on all sides of the spray booth.\n\nException: A clear space of less than 3 feet (914 mm) may be maintained from an interior partition, wall or floor/ceiling assembly with a fire-resistance-rating of not less than 1 hour, or an exterior wall or roof assembly of a noncombustible wall or roof.\n\n2404.3.2.3 Size.\n\nThe aggregate area of spray booths in a building shall not exceed the lesser of 10 percent of the area of any floor of the building or the floor area allowed for a Group H-2 occupancy by the Building Code, as set forth in Table 503 of the Building Code, excluding any area increases allowed by Section 506 of the 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 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t).\n\nException: A single spray booth not exceeding 500 square feet (46 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) is allowed irrespective of the results of the required calculations.\n\n2404.3.2.4 Waterwash spray booths.\n\nWaterwash spray booths shall be of an approved design so as to prevent excessive accumulation of deposits in ducts and residue at duct outlets. Such booths shall be arranged so that air and overspray are drawn through a continuously flowing water curtain before being exhausted outdoors.\n\n2404.3.2.5 Means of egress.\n\nMeans of egress doors from pre-manufactured spray booths shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) in width by 80 inches (2032 mm) in height.\n\n2404.3.3 Fire protection.\n\nSpray rooms and spray booths shall be protected by a fire extinguishing system. Such fire extinguishing system shall also protect exhaust plenums, exhaust ducts and both sides of dry filters when such filters are used.\n\n2404.3.3.1 Automated spraying operations.\n\nThe fire extinguishing system for each spray room or spray booth designed for automatic spraying operations shall be equipped with an interlock in accordance with FC 2404.3.5(7) and with a manual shutdown device. Such manual shutdown device shall be located within the path of emergency egress from such spray room or spray booth, shall be readily accessible to personnel supervising the spraying operation, and when activated, shall initiate the same functions as the automatic interlock.\n\n2404.3.4 Drying operations.\n\nSpray rooms and spray booths shall not be used for drying operations that could cause an increase in the surface temperature of the spray room or spray booth, unless such operations are conducted in compliance with the requirements of FC 2404.3.4.1, 2404.3.4.2 and 2404.3.5.\n\n2404.3.4.1 Spraying procedure.\n\nThe spraying procedure shall use low-volume spray application.\n\n2404.3.4.2 Drying and baking apparatus.\n\nFixed drying and baking apparatus shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and the applicable provisions of FC Chapter 30. When recirculation ventilation is provided in accordance with FC 2404.3.7.1, the heating system shall not be within the recirculation air path.\n\n2404.3.5 Interlocks.\n\nThe spraying apparatus, drying apparatus and ventilating system for the spray room or spray booth shall be equipped with interlocks designed to automatically:\n\n1. prevent operation of spraying apparatus while drying operations are in progress.\n\n2. prevent the operation of the drying apparatus until the spray room or spray booth has been purged of vapors for a period of at least 3 minutes.\n\n3. shut down the drying apparatus in the event that the ventilation system fails to operate within the spray room or spray booth during the drying process.\n\n4. shut down the drying apparatus if the air temperature within the spray room or spray booth exceeds 200°F (93°C).\n\n5. prevent the spraying operation unless the ventilation system is in operation.\n\n6. shut down the spraying operation in a spray booth equipped with a filter roll when the filter roll fails to automatically advance when the air velocity falls below the minimum design level.\n\n7. shut down the spraying operation, drying operation and workpiece conveyors into and out of the flammable vapor area, and notify the building fire alarm system, upon activation of the fire extinguishing systems protecting an automated spraying operation.\n\n2404.3.6 Illumination.\n\nOnly fixed luminaires protected by a glass panel shall be utilized as a source of illumination in spray rooms and spray booths. Such luminaires and glass panels shall comply with the requirements of FC 2404.3.6.1 through 2404.3.6.3, as applicable.\n\n2404.3.6.1 Glass panels.\n\nPanels for light fixtures or for observation shall be of heat-treated glass, wired glass or hammered-wire glass, and shall be sealed to confine vapor, gas, fume, mists or dust to the flammable vapor area. Panels for luminaires shall be separated from the luminaire to prevent the surface temperature of the panel from exceeding 200°F (93°C).\n\n2404.3.6.2 Exterior luminaires.\n\nLuminaires approved for use in ordinary hazard locations may be used when the luminaire is attached to an exterior wall or ceiling of a spray room or spray booth, but is separated and protected from the flammable vapor area by a vapor-tight glass panel. Such luminaires shall be serviced exclusively from outside the flammable vapor area.\n\n2404.3.6.3 Integral luminaires.\n\nLuminaires approved for use in hazardous locations shall be used when the luminaire is an integral part of the walls or ceiling of a spray room or spray booth. Such luminaires shall be listed for use in Class I, Division 2 or Class II, Division 2 locations, as applicable. Such luminaires may be serviced from inside the flammable vapor area.\n\n2404.3.7 Ventilation.\n\nMechanical ventilation of flammable vapor areas shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Mechanical Code and this section.\n\n2404.3.7.1 Recirculation.\n\nAir exhausted from spraying operations shall not be recirculated, except as authorized by the Mechanical Code.\n\n2404.3.7.2 Prohibition.\n\nMakeup air and flammable vapor area exhaust systems shall not be interlocked with the fire alarm system. The ventilation system shall remain in operation upon activation of the building fire alarm system.\n\nException: Where the type of fire extinguishing system used requires that ventilation be discontinued, makeup air and exhaust systems shall shut down and dampers shall close.\n\n2404.3.7.3 Filters.\n\nSpray rooms and spray booths shall be provided with exhaust filters. Air intake filters are not required, but if part of a spray room or spray booth wall or ceiling assembly shall be listed as Class I or Class II in accordance with UL 900.\n\n2404.3.7.3.1 Supports.\n\nSupports and holders for filters shall be constructed of noncombustible materials.\n\n2404.3.7.3.2 Attachment.\n\nOverspray collection filters shall be readily removable and accessible for cleaning or replacement.\n\n2404.3.7.3.3 Monitoring air velocity.\n\nOne or more devices shall be provided to monitor the air velocity of the air being exhausted from a spray room or spray booth and to provide an indication, alarm or system shutdown if the required velocity is not being maintained. The device monitoring the air flow shall visually display the pressure of the exhausted air, activate an alarm and/or shut down the spraying operation.\n\n2404.4 Operation and maintenance.\n\nFacilities in which spraying operations and drying operations are conducted shall be operated and maintained in compliance with the requirements of this section.\n\n2404.4.1 Spraying of incompatible materials.\n\nSpray rooms and spray booths shall not be utilized for spraying operations utilizing alternating incompatible materials, unless all deposits of one material are removed from the room or booth and exhaust ducts, and dry filters replaced, prior to spraying with the incompatible material.\n\n2404.4.2 Filter disposal.\n\nDiscarded exhaust filters shall be immediately removed from the spray room or spray booth and disposed of in accordance with FC 304.3.1.\n\n2404.4.3 Sprinkler head protection.\n\nSprinkler heads installed in spraying spaces shall be protected in an approved manner from accumulation of residue from spraying operations. Sprinkler heads shall be inspected at least once per week and cleaned as needed. Bags used as a protective covering shall be of 0.003-inch-thick (0.076-mm-thick) polyethylene or cellophane or shall be of thin paper. Sprinkler heads contaminated by overspray particles shall be replaced with new sprinkler heads.\n\n2404.4.4 Floor protection.\n\nCombustible floor construction in spraying spaces shall be covered by an approved, noncombustible, nonsparking material, except that combustible coverings, such as thin paper or plastic and strippable coatings, may be utilized over the noncombustible, nonsparking floor covering material on combustible floors, and on noncombustible floors, to facilitate cleaning operations in spraying spaces.\n\n2404.4.5 Portable electric lamps.\n\nPortable electric lamps shall not be stored or used in the flammable vapor area.\n\nException: Portable electric lamps of a type approved for hazardous locations may be used to provide additional lighting for cleaning or maintenance in such areas.\n\n2404.4.6 Portable infrared apparatus.\n\nPortable electrical equipment located within 18 inches (457 mm) of floor level shall be approved for Class I, Division 2, hazardous locations. Metallic parts of drying apparatus shall be electrically bonded and grounded. During spraying operations, portable drying apparatus and electrical connections and wiring thereto shall not be located within spray booths, spray rooms or other spraying space.\n\n2404.4.7 Continuous ventilation.\n\nMechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all times while spraying operations are being conducted and for a sufficient time thereafter to allow vapors from drying coated articles and finishing material residue to be exhausted.\n\n2404.4.8 Obstruction of exhaust ventilation.\n\nArticles being sprayed shall be positioned in a manner that does not obstruct collection of overspray.\n\n2404.4.9 Hazardous and combustible material storage.\n\nThe clear space around spray booths pursuant to FC 2404.3.2.2 shall be kept free of hazardous material and combustible material storage.\n\n2404.4.10 Portable fire extinguishers.\n\nSpraying spaces shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers for an extra (high) hazard occupancy in accordance with FC 906.\n\n2404.5 Limited-spraying spaces.\n\nSpray finishing operations may be conducted in a limited-spraying space when the spraying operations are limited in size and frequency and are conducted in a properly ventilated and electrically wired space in compliance with the requirements of FC 2404.5.1 through 2404.5.5.\n\n2404.5.1 Job size.\n\nThe surface area of any workpiece to be sprayed shall not exceed 9 square feet (0.84 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t).\n\n2404.5.2 Frequency.\n\nSpraying operations shall not be of a continuous nature and shall be incidental to the operation of the facility.\n\n2404.5.3 Ventilation.\n\nPositive mechanical ventilation shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Mechanical Code. Such system shall meet the requirements of the Mechanical Code for flammable vapor areas. Explosion venting is not required.\n\n2404.5.4 Electrical wiring.\n\nElectrical wiring within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the floor and 20 feet (6096 mm) horizontally of the limited-spraying space shall be designed for Class I, Division 2 locations in accordance with the Electrical Code.\n\n2404.5.5 Portable fire extinguisher.\n\nLimited-spraying space shall be provided with a portable fire extinguisher in accordance with FC 2404.4.10.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 29","Chapter 2: New York City Fire Code"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"3ee549229f71bb50687554aefe5cf41f2a87729f08cf480be5eb5d049405798f","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":true,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-fc-2403","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-fc-2405"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}