Fire Suppression Solutions for Dry Powder & Electrostatic Spray Paint Booths

Engineered Fire Suppression Solutions for High-Risk Spray Booth Environments

Dry powder and electrostatic liquid spray paint booths present some of the most challenging fire hazards in industrial environments. Fine combustible dust, solvent vapours, high airflow, and electrostatic charging can create conditions where a small ignition develops rapidly.

Traditional dry chemical suppression systems are not suitable for these applications due to contamination, equipment damage, and NFPA restrictions. Instead, spray booth environments require a clean, fast-response, non-residue-producing suppression system that protects both people and production quality.

Why Conventional Dry Chemical Systems Are Not Allowed

Spray booths cannot use standard dry chemical powder fire suppression systems because:

1. Dust Explosion Hazard

Dry chemical is a fine powder. Introducing more powder into a combustible dust environment can increase explosion risk and may intensify an ignition instead of suppressing it.

2. No Cooling → High Re-Ignition Risk

Powder-coating booths contain hot surfaces, electrostatic charging systems, and residual coating materials.

Dry chemical interrupts the flame momentarily, but does not cool the hazard, allowing fires to reignite.

3. Severe Contamination Issues

A dry chemical discharge:

• Covers all parts and equipment

• Ruins in-process product

• Requires full booth shutdown, cleanup, and re-certification

• Disrupts production for days or weeks

4. Equipment Damage

Dry chemical agents are corrosive and abrasive. They can damage:

• Motors

• Bearings

• Extraction fans

• Filters

• Electrical systems

• Spray equipment

5. Visibility and Respiratory Hazards

A discharge instantly fills the booth with dense powder:

• Zero visibility

• Airborne respiratory hazard

• Requires complete stoppage and ventilation

Because of these issues, dry chemical is not acceptable for spray booth environments.

A Better Solution: Fast Flame Detection + High-Pressure CO₂

1. Ultra-Fast UV/IR or IR3 Flame Detection

To protect booths where ignition spreads quickly, we use industrial flame detectors that respond within milliseconds to 0.5 seconds.

Features include:

• High immunity to false alarms (welding, sunlight, hot surfaces)

• ATEX/explosion-proof options

• Reliable detection in dusty or high-airflow environments

These detectors identify flame presence long before a fire grows.

2. High-Pressure CO₂ Fire Suppression

Once the system detects a flame, a high-pressure CO₂ system discharges instantly to extinguish the fire—without leaving any residue.

Benefits:

• Zero contamination

• No cleanup

• No impact on paint or powder quality

• Safe for sensitive coating processes

• NFPA 12 compliant

• Suitable for both local application and total flooding

This combination is the industry’s preferred method for spray booth fire protection.

Ideal for These Applications

• Dry powder coating booths

• Electrostatic liquid spray booths

• Robotic spray systems

• Automotive and industrial finishing lines

• Conveyorized paint systems

• Metallic and non-metallic coating operations

What We Provide

With over 40 years in fire protection engineering, inControl Systems delivers complete, engineered fire suppression solutions tailored to industrial coating facilities.

Our services include:

• Engineered design packages (NFPA compliant)

• UV/IR or IR3 flame detection systems

• High-pressure CO₂ equipment supply

• Electrical control panels & sequencing logic

• Installation support

• Commissioning, testing & maintenance