Paint Storage Classification

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faresos

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Hello every one...

I have a situation where we have a paint storage room and the fire Marshall have requested all light fixtures and devices within this room to be explosion proof (Class 1 Div 2).

1. Is there any exception to this rule from the NEC? example; if we have adequate ventilations! or mounting height, etc
2. Who does classify the room or any rooms?is it the Architect or the engineer?

Thanks in advance...
 
Classification by fire marshall typically trumps any classification information in the NEC.

Fire marshall's classification is usually from another NFPA code.

Ventilation can make a difference, but still needs approval by AHJ - who is the fire marshall in this case.

Your electrical inspector should only be looking at the fact that the fire marshall classified it as CL1 Div 2 and not making any attempt to classify it himself.
 
Flammable storage (storage in closed containers only, with no mixing or liquid transfers) is unclassified. If containers are opened for any reason, then most likely Class I, Division 1.
 
faresos said:
Hello every one...

I have a situation where we have a paint storage room and the fire Marshall have requested all light fixtures and devices within this room to be explosion proof (Class 1 Div 2).

1. Is there any exception to this rule from the NEC? example; if we have adequate ventilations! or mounting height, etc
2. Who does classify the room or any rooms?is it the Architect or the engineer?

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

They can request anything. Whether they can require it is something else. Think about it this way. If merely storing paint or other flammable chemicals required the area be classified, every hardware store, WalMart, and lumber yard would have to have classified areas for paint and solvent storage.
 
petersonra said:
They can request anything. Whether they can require it is something else. Think about it this way. If merely storing paint or other flammable chemicals required the area be classified, every hardware store, WalMart, and lumber yard would have to have classified areas for paint and solvent storage.
Click to expand...

That depends on what kind of storage it is. If it is sealed containers that are rarely opened I agree with you. If open transfering or mixing is normally done we have a different ballgame.
 
faresos said:
Hello every one...

I have a situation where we have a paint storage room and the fire Marshall have requested all light fixtures and devices within this room to be explosion proof (Class 1 Div 2).

1. Is there any exception to this rule from the NEC? example; if we have adequate ventilations! or mounting height, etc
2. Who does classify the room or any rooms?is it the Architect or the engineer?

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

fire marshall owns this one...

storage of unopened cans is unclassified, but once a can has been opened and resealed, it is
class 1 div 2

the forced ventalation might be possible, but would require supervision, sampling, alarms
and such, i am suspecting would be expensiver than classified fixtures....

jist a thought, but i would google intrinsically safe LED lighting....
 
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