Paint-booth lighting has two jobs: provide a useful view of the surface and meet the requirements of the booth's electrical installation. Selecting a fixture by brightness or color temperature alone misses the second part.
Establish the booth's classified areas
Use the booth manufacturer's documentation, site classification and applicable installation requirements to identify where equipment may be located. The inside of the booth, openings and nearby areas can have different requirements. Do not assign one classification to every paint operation.
Confirm the permitted fixture arrangement
A fixture mounted within a classified area and a fixture serving through an approved viewing arrangement are different installations. Check the exact fixture, lens, enclosure, entries and mounting against their instructions. Field substitutions and modifications require review rather than assumptions based on a similar housing.
Evaluate the surface the painter needs to see
Color temperature describes the appearance of the light; color rendering describes another aspect of how surfaces are perceived. Review both alongside light distribution, glare and shadows. Check vertical and curved surfaces from the actual spraying and inspection positions rather than relying only on floor illuminance.
Plan for cleaning and maintenance
Overspray, dust and damaged lenses can change the working view. Follow the permitted cleaning materials and servicing procedure, including isolation and atmosphere requirements. Check replacement lamps, lenses and seals against the approved parts list.
For temporary inspection lights, confirm the approval of the complete lamp and connection arrangement. A portable format or a low-voltage supply does not remove the location requirements.
References: OSHA 1910.307 — Hazardous (classified) locations · UL Solutions — North American hazardous-area certification