PDFWAC 296-24-37015
Fixed electrostatic apparatus.
(1) Conformance. Where installation and use of electrostatic spraying equipment is used, such installation and use must conform to all other requirements contained in WAC 296-24-370 through 296-24-37027.
(2) Type approval. Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with coating operations must be of approved types.
(3) Location. You must locate transformers, power packs, control apparatus, and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of high-voltage grids, electrodes, and electrostatic atomizing heads and their connections, outside of the spraying area, or they must otherwise conform to the requirements of WAC 296-24-37005.
(4) Support. You must adequately support electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads in permanent locations and you must effectively insulate them from the ground. Electrodes and electrostatic atomizing heads which are permanently attached to their bases, supports, or reciprocators, must be deemed to comply with this section. Insulators must be nonporous and noncombustible.
(5) Insulators, grounding. You must properly insulate and protect high-voltage leads to electrodes from mechanical injury or exposure to destructive chemicals. You must effectively and permanently support electrostatic atomizing heads on suitable insulators and you must effectively guard them against accidental contact or grounding. You must provide an automatic means for grounding the electrode system when it is electrically deenergized for any reason. You must keep all insulators clean and dry.
(6) Safe distance. You must maintain a safe distance between goods being painted and electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads or conductors of at least twice the sparking distance. You must conspicuously post a suitable sign indicating this safe distance near the assembly.
(7) Conveyors required. Goods being painted using this process are to be supported on conveyors. You must arrange the conveyors so as to maintain safe distances between the goods and the electrodes or electrostatic atomizing heads at all times. You must rigidly support any irregularly shaped or other goods subject to possible swinging or movement to prevent such swinging or movement which would reduce the clearance to less than that specified in (6) of this section.
(8) Prohibition. This process is not acceptable where goods being coated are manipulated by hand. When finishing materials are applied by electrostatic equipment which is manipulated by hand, see WAC 296-24-37017 for applicable requirements. (Rev. 1-23-76)
(9) Fail-safe controls. You must equip electrostatic apparatus 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:
(a) Stoppage of ventilating fans or failure of ventilating equipment from any cause.
(b) Stoppage of the conveyor carrying goods through the high voltage field.
(c) Occurrence of a ground or of an imminent ground at any point on the high voltage system.
(d) Reduction of clearance below that specified in (6) of this section.
(10) Guarding. You must place adequate booths, fencing, railings, or guards 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 or personnel. Such railings, fencing, and guards must be of conducting material, adequately grounded.
(11) Ventilation. Where electrostatic atomization is used the spraying area must be so ventilated as to insure safe conditions from a fire and health standpoint.
(12) Fire protection. You must protect all areas used for spraying, including the interior of the booth, by automatic sprinklers where this protection is available. Where this protection is not available, you must provide other approved automatic extinguishing equipment.