PAINT MIXING AND SPRAYING (15-24-550 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 15, ch. 15-24, art. VI

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-550 Definitions.

15-24-550 Definitions. "Paint mixing room" means a room designed, intended or used for the purpose of mixing paint, varnish, lacquer, enamel or other such volatile or flammable liquid or liquid containing any volatile flammable substance in solution or suspension, during any 24-hour period. "Paint spraying room" means a room designed, intended or used for the purpose of spraying more than ten gallons of paints, varnish, lacquer, enamel or other such volatile or flammable liquid or liquid containing any volatile flammable substance in solution or suspension during any 24-hour period; without use of an approved spray booth. "Paint spraying" means the application of flammable or combustible paint, varnish, lacquer, enamel, stain or other such volatile or flammable liquid, or liquid containing any volatile flammable substance in solution or suspension applied as a spray by whatever means, in continuous or intermittent processes, where more than one gallon of such liquid is used in any 24-hour period. "Spray area" means any area in which dangerous quantities of flammable vapors or combustible residues, dusts or deposits are present due to the operation of spraying processes. The spray area shall include: (a) The interior of spray booths; (b) The interior of ducts exhausting from spraying processes; (c) Any area in the direct path of spray or any area containing dangerous quantities of air- suspended combustible residue, dust, deposits, spray or vapor as a result of spraying operations. "Spray booth" means a specially designed enclosure constructed of noncombustible materials and otherwise complying with the requirements of this chapter and other applicable sections of this Code, in which paint-spraying operations are carried on. (Prior code § 129.1-47)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-560 Spraying restrictions.

15-24-560 Spraying restrictions. Spraying. Paint-spraying operations shall not be permitted in any institutional building. Paint-spraying operations shall not be permitted in any assembly, school or multiple-dwelling building except in a room designed for the purpose, protected with an approved system of automatic sprinklers and separated vertically and horizontally from other parts of the building by construction having not less than two-hour fire-resistive rating. (Prior code § 129.1-48)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-570 Paint mixing, spraying and japanning room.

15-24-570 Paint mixing, spraying and japanning room. Every paint-mixing room, paint-spraying room and every room containing a japanning dip tank, vat or japanning oven located in any building other than a building of Type IA, IB or IIA construction which is also equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of this section. Any such room, with a floor area of not more than 600 square feet, shall have a floor of any type of construction permitted for the building in which located and shall have both walls and ceiling of one-hour fire-resistive construction. Any such room, with a floor area of more than 600 square feet and not more than 1,200 square feet, may have a floor of any type of construction permitted for the building in which located, and shall have both walls and ceiling of two-hour fire-resistive construction. Any such room with a floor area of more than 1,200 feet, shall be separated from every other part of the building by not less than four-hour fire-resistive construction. No such rooms shall have any opening except a doorway or doorways between such room and any part of the building. Every doorway through any such wall or separation shall be provided with a door of the character required by Chapter 14B-7 for fire doors. Nothing in this section shall be constructed as prohibiting or preventing the installation of noncombustible piping or conveyors or similar dust-tight enclosed mechanical devices between floors or stories in such rooms or buildings. (Prior code § 129.1-49; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 39)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-580 Exemptions from regulations.

15-24-580 Exemptions from regulations. All paint-spraying operations, except maintenance, decorating or construction painting of buildings proper, shall comply with all applicable provisions of this Code and with the special provisions of Sections 15-24-590 to 15-24-670 of this Code. (Prior code § 129.1-50)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-590 Spray booths and rooms, where required.

15-24-590 Spray booths and rooms, where required. A spray booth shall be required when paint- spraying operations are carried on in any building when using more than one gallon of previously defined liquid in any 24-hour period except in those cases where the physical size of the materials being sprayed, such as in structural steel shop coating and similar operations, makes it impractical to conduct such operations within a spray booth. A paint-spraying room shall be required when the liquids used, as defined in Section 15-24-550, exceed ten gallons in any 24-hour period unless conducted in an approved booth. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting more than one such spray booth in any paint-mixing room. (Prior code § 129.1-51)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-600 Spray booth construction.

15-24-600 Spray booth construction. The construction of a spray booth shall be as follows: (a) To be constructed of at least 18-gauge steel or equivalent noncombustible material, rigidly supported and specifically designed for its intended use. (b) The interior surfaces of spray booths shall be smooth and continuous without edges, and otherwise designed to prevent pocketing of residues and facilitate the safe cleaning and washing without injury. (c) The floor of the spray booth and the operators' working area shall be of noncombustible, nonsparking material of such character as to facilitate the safe cleaning and removal of residues. (d) Baffle plates shall be of noncombustible materials, readily removable or accessible on both sides for cleaning, and shall be designed to promote an even flow of air through the booth and prevent the deposit of overspray before it enters the exhaust ducts. Such baffle plates shall not be located in the exhaust ducts. (e) Each spray booth having a frontal area larger than nine square feet shall have a metal deflector or curtain not less than two and one-half inches deep installed at the upper outer edge of the booth over the opening. (f) Each spray booth shall be separated from all other operations by not less than three feet. (g) Spray booths shall be so installed that all portions are readily accessible for cleaning. A clear space of not less than three feet on all sides shall be kept free from storage or combustible construction. (h) When spraying areas are illuminated through glass panels or other noncombustible transparent materials, only approved fixed lighting units shall be used as a source of illumination. Panels shall effectively isolate the spraying area from the area in which the lighting unit is located, and shall be of noncombustible material of such a nature or so protected that breakage will be unlikely. Panels shall be so arranged that normal accumulations of residue on the exposed surface of the panel will not be raised to a dangerous temperature by radiation or conduction from the source of illumination. (Prior code § 129.1-52)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-610 Dry type spray booths.

15-24-610 Dry type spray booths. Overspray dry filters of filter rolls, when installed in dry-type spray booths, shall comply with the following: (a) The spraying operations shall be so designed, installed and maintained that the average air velocity over the open face of the booth (or booth cross-section during spraying operations) shall be not less than 100 linear feet per minute. Visible gauges or audible alarm or pressure-activated devices shall be installed to indicate or insure that the required air velocity is maintained. (b) All discarded filter pads and filter rolls shall be immediately removed to a safe, well-detached location or placed in a water-filled metal container and disposed of at the close of the day's operation unless maintained completely in water. (c) The location of filters in a spray booth shall be so as to not reduce the effective booth enclosure of the articles being sprayed. (d) Space within spray bath on the downstream and upstream sides of filters shall be protected with approved automatic sprinklers. (e) Filters or filter rolls shall be used when applying a spray material known to be highly susceptible to spontaneous heating and ignition. (f) Clean filters or filter rolls shall be noncombustible or of approved type. (g) Filters and filter rolls shall not alternately be used for different types of coating materials, where the combination of materials may be conducive to spontaneous ignition. (Prior code § 129.1-53)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-620 Restrictions around spray booths.

15-24-620 Restrictions around spray booths. (a) There shall be no open flame or spark- producing equipment in any spray area as defined in Section 15-24-550 nor within 20 feet thereof unless separated by a partition complying with the requirements of Section 15-24-570 except that such equipment may be operated within a spray area other than within a spray booth during such nonspraying periods when the spray area is free of a dangerous accumulation of flammable vapors and except as permitted in Section 15-24-570 drying apparatus, and Sections 15-24-680 to 15-24-700, electrostatic apparatus. (b) Heating appliances, steampipes or hot surfaces shall not be located in any spray area where deposits of combustible residues may readily accumulate. (c) Unless specifically approved for locations containing both deposits of readily ignitable residue and explosive vapor, there shall be no electrical equipment in any spray area whereon deposits of combustible residue may readily accumulate, except wiring in rigid conduit or in boxes or fittings containing no taps, splices or terminal connections and except as hereinafter provided in Section 15-24-860 relating to drying apparatus and Sections 15-24-680 to 15-24-700 relating to electrostatic spraying apparatus. (d) Electrical wiring and equipment not subject to deposits of combustible residues but located in a spray area shall be of the explosion-proof type approved for use in such hazardous locations. Such area shall be considered a Class I Division 1 hazardous location as defined in Section 14E-5-500. (e) Electrical wiring, motors and other equipment outside of but within 20 feet of any spray area and not separated, as directed in Section 15-24-570, shall not produce sparks under normal operating conditions. Such area shall be considered as Class I Division 2 hazardous locations as defined in Section 14E-5-500. (f) Electric lamps outside but within 20 feet of any spray area and not separated therefrom as directed in Section 15-24-570 shall be totally enclosed to prevent the falling of hot particles and shall be protected from physical damage by suitable guards or by location. (g) Portable electric lamps shall not be used in any spray area during spraying operations. Portable electric lamps used during cleaning or repairing operations shall be of the type specifically approved for Class I hazardous locations as defined in Section 14E-5-500. (h) All metal parts of spray booths, exhaust ducts and piping systems conveying flammable liquids shall be electrically grounded in an effective and permanent manner, complying with the requirements of the electrical provisions of this Code. (Prior code § 129.1-54; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 53)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-630 Ventilation of spray booths.

15-24-630 Ventilation of spray booths. The ventilation of spray booths and spray areas shall comply with the provisions of Title 14M and with the following: (a) All spraying areas shall be provided with positive, mechanical ventilation adequate to prevent the dangerous accumulation of vapors and to safely remove such vapors to a safe location. (b) Such mechanical ventilation shall be kept in operation at all times while the spraying operations are being conducted and for a sufficient time thereafter to allow vapors from drying coated articles and finishing material residues to be exhausted. (c) Each spray booth shall have an independent exhaust duct system discharging to the building exterior and shall comply with the ventilation requirements of this Code. Multiple-cabinet spray booths in which identical spray-finishing materials is used with a combined frontal area of not more than 18 square feet, may have a common exhaust. If more than one fan serves one booth, all fans shall be so interconnected that one fan cannot operate without operating all. (d) Electric motors driving exhaust fans shall not be placed inside of booths or ducts. Fan rotating element shall be nonferrous or nonsparking or the casing shall consist of or be lined with such material. (e) Belts shall not enter the booth or ducts unless such belts and pulleys within the booth or ducts are tightly enclosed. (f) Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of steel and shall be substantially supported. Readily accessible cleanout openings shall be provided. (g) Exhaust ducts shall have a clearance from unprotected combustible construction or material of not less than 18 inches. If such combustible construction is provided with the following protection applied to all surfaces within 18 inches, clearances may be reduced to the clearances indicated: 1. 28-gauge sheet metal or one-fourth-inch asbestos mill-board ..... 12 inches 2. 28-gauge sheet metal or one-eighth-inch asbestos mill-board spaced out one inch on noncombustible spacers ..... 9 inches 3. 22-gauge sheet metal or one-inch rockwool batts reinforced with wire mesh or the equivalent ..... 3 inches 4. Air exhaust from spraying operation shall not be recirculated. (Prior code § 129.1-55; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 40)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-640 Flammable liquid storage.

15-24-640 Flammable liquid storage. The storage and handling of flammable liquids used in connection with paint spraying shall conform to the requirements of Section 15-24-410 and other applicable chapters of this Code, and with the special provisions of the following: (a) When the quantity of flammable liquids used in spraying, in five-gallon and smaller containers, other than in original sealed containers or approved safety cans, exceeds a total of ten gallons, it shall be stored in a metal cabinet and when the total quantity exceeds 50 gallons of such flammable liquid, a room complying with Section 15-24-410 shall be required. (b) Only original closed containers, approved portable tanks, approved safety cans or a properly arranged system of piping shall be used for bringing flammable liquids into spray-painting areas. (c) Containers supplying spray nozzles shall be of the closed type. Containers not resting on floors shall be on noncombustible supports or suspended by wire cables. (d) All containers or piping to which is attached a hose or flexible connection shall be provided with a quick-closing valve and equipped with a weight and a fusible link, arranged to automatically close the valve in the event of a fire. Such valves shall be closed when not in use. (e) Heaters shall not be located in the spray booth or area or other locations subject to the accumulation of combustible deposits or residue. (f) If flammable liquids are supplied to spray nozzles by positive displacement pumps, the pump discharge line shall be provided with an approved relief valve discharging to the pump suction or to a safe detached location, or a device shall be provided to stop the prime moved when the discharge pressure exceeds 125 percent of the normal operating pressure. (g) Whenever flammable liquids are transferred from one container to another, both containers shall be bonded or effectively grounded. Piping systems for flammable liquids shall be permanently grounded. (Prior code § 129.1-56)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-650 Automatic sprinklers.

15-24-650 Automatic sprinklers. For automatic sprinkler requirements, see Chapter 14B-9. (Prior code § 129.1-57; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 41)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-660 Fire prevention requirements.

15-24-660 Fire prevention requirements. The operation and maintenance of paint spray operations shall also comply with the following: (a) All spray areas shall be kept as free from the accumulations of deposits of combustible residues as practical with cleaning conducted daily. (b) Scrapers, spuds, or other such tools used for cleaning purposes shall be of nonsparking material. (c) Residue scrapings and debris contaminated with residue shall be immediately removed from the premises and properly disposed of. (d) The use of flammable solvents for cleaning operations shall be restricted to those having a flashpoint of not less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit closed cup tester except that solvents with flashpoints not less than those normally used in spraying operations may be used for cleaning spray nozzles and auxiliary equipment, provided such cleaning is conducted inside spray booths and ventilating equipment is operating during cleaning periods. (e) Spray booths shall not be alternately used for different types of coating materials, where the combination of the materials may be conducive to spontaneous ignition, unless all deposits of the first used material are removed from the booth and exhaust ducts prior to spraying with the second coating material. (Prior code § 129.1-58)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-670 Motor vehicle undercoating.

15-24-670 Motor vehicle undercoating. Motor vehicle undercoating operations shall comply with the following provisions: (a) When certified that the premises comply with all applicable provisions of Title 14M and when undercoating materials and solvents having a flashpoint not lower than 100 degrees Fahrenheit closed cup testers are used, motor vehicle undercoating spray operations may be exempt from this Code relating to spraying operations on the express approval of the Fire Commissioner. (b) Undercoating spray operations not conforming with paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to all applicable provisions of this Code. (Prior code § 129.1-59; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 146; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 42)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-680 Electrostatic paint-spraying apparatus.

15-24-680 Electrostatic paint-spraying apparatus. Electrostatic paint spray and deterring apparatus shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 15-24 for the provisions of paint spraying and to the specific requirements of the following: (a) Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with paint-spraying and paint-deterring operations shall be only of the approved type. (b) Transformers, power packs, control apparatus and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of high voltage grids and electrostatic atomizing heads and their connections, shall be located outside of the spraying areas or vapor areas as defined in Section 15-24-550 or shall comply with the requirements of Section 14E-5-500 for Class II hazardous locations. (c) Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads shall be of substantial construction, shall be rigidly supported in permanent locations and shall be effectively insulated from ground. Insulators shall be nonporous and noncombustible. (Prior code § 129.1-60; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 54)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-690 Electrical equipment.

15-24-690 Electrical equipment. All electrostatic paint spray apparatus shall conform to the requirements of Title 14E and with the following specific requirements: (a) A space of at least twice the sparking distance shall be maintained between goods being painted or deterred and electrodes, electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors. A suitable sign indicating such distance shall be conspicuously posted. (b) Electrostatic apparatus shall be equipped with automatic controls which will operate without time delay, to disconnect the power supply to the high voltage transformer and to signal the operator under any of the following conditions: 1. Stoppage of the ventilating fans or failure of the ventilating equipment from any cause; 2. Stoppage of the conveyor carrying goods past the high-voltage grid; 3. Occurrence of a ground or of an imminent ground at any point on the high-voltage system; 4. Reduction of the clearance below that specified in Section 15-24-690. (Prior code § 129.1-61; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 55)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-700 Fire prevention requirements.

15-24-700 Fire prevention requirements. The following shall also apply to electrostatic spray painting apparatus and operations: (a) Adequate booths, fencing, railings or guards shall be so placed about the equipment that they, either by their location or character or both, assure that a safe isolation of the process is maintained from plant storage and personnel. Such railings, fencing and guards shall be conducting material adequately grounded and shall be at least five feet from the processing equipment. (b) Signs designating the process as dangerous in regard to fire and accident shall be posted. Such signs shall have a white field with red letters at least four inches high with at least one-half-inch stroke. Such signs shall read as follows: "Electrical and Fire Hazard – Keep Away – Only Authorized Personnel Permitted". (c) All insulators shall be kept clean and dry. (d) Drip plates and screens subject to paint deposits shall be removable and shall be taken to a safe place for cleaning. (Prior code § 129.1-62)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-24-710 Portable electrostatic paint-spraying operations.

15-24-710 Portable electrostatic paint-spraying operations. Electrostatic handheld mobile paint-spraying and paint-deterring apparatus shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 15-24 for the provisions of paint spraying and to the specific requirements of the following: (a) Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with paint-spraying and paint-deterring operations shall be only of the approved type. (b) Transformers, power packs, control apparatus and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of electrostatic atomizing spray gun and its connections, shall be located outside of the spraying areas or vapor areas, as defined in Section 15-24-550 or shall comply with the requirements of Section 14E-5-500 for Class II hazardous locations. (c) The handle of the spraying gun shall be grounded, by a metallic connection, in such a manner that the operator is grounded during the time the spray gun is operated. (d) All objects and devices within the spray area shall also be grounded and signs posted stating the object or device is grounded during the time the spray gun is operated. (e) Adequate ventilation shall be provided to eliminate an explosive atmosphere due to the presence of explosive vapor. (f) Signs, as required by Section 15-24-700(b) shall be posted in the area to prevent personnel from being harmed. (Prior code § 129.1-62.1; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. II, § 56)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2678522Fetched: 10/24/2026