Depending on the exact dimensions of your shop, it is always prudent to pick a paint booth that fits the space available including that reserved for the airflow system. For example, if you are in the industrial and manufacturing sector, best practices stipulate you should first determine the biggest item which will be painted in your facility and then add no less than 2 feet, 5 feet, and 5 feet in height, width and depth respectively.
If you are in the automotive business, spray booth sizes are usually more standardized, with dimensions of 9 feet, 14 feet, and 24, 27, or 30 feet in height, width, and length respectively. Should you be processing tall vehicles in your booth, there are also ceiling and size customizations to choose from.
On the other hand, the installation of side downdraft and semi-downdraft spray booth airflows is always economical because no concrete work is necessary. You will as well have to decide whether you wish your spray paint booth to be pressurized or nonpressurized. Yet, some sort of pressure control is often necessary to guarantee the volume of air being expelled is the same as the one being supplied. Lastly, if you wish for professionally-looking finishes, choose a paint booth which can deliver laminar airflow that ensures air moves parallel towards one direction to deter unpredictable spray patterns.
Before you settle for any spray booth, be sure to identify both the federal and local safety regulations that might apply in your area. Both the OSHA and NFPA have put in place criteria to ensure spray paint booth operational safety for your employees and environment.
Additionally, certain states and cities have their own safety regulations including using booths with 3rd party safety certification like ETL-listed products. Finally, some local authorities provide grants or even rebate programs for units which meet or exceed specific environmental guidelines.
The primary purpose of a paint booth is to contain hazardous materials like overspray and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), preventing fumes, chemicals, gases and vapors from spreading into the shop or environment outside. In addition to protecting the environment, complying with local regulations and codes, and keeping your employees and facility safe, enclosing the painting process in a booth results in better quality paint jobs that are free of contaminants.
So, where should you start when buying a paint booth? The following seven steps will help guide you through the process:
1. Research paint booth suppliers
Although you can do a lot of planning independently, it is helpful to begin looking into booth suppliers and their distribution options at the beginning of the purchase process, as they will provide guidance to help you determine the size, airflow and features that meet your needs and price point.
When selecting a spray booth supplier, be sure to choose a company that is experienced in the industry, has engineers on staff, validates the performance of their products and works with national safety and environmental organizations.
You want to choose a company that is capable of providing local support through either their own staff or distributors. They should also offer installation, maintenance programs and startup training for your new paint booth.
2. Determine the best size for your future paint booth
Identify the type and size of the products you will work with to make sure there is adequate space and airflow through your future paint booth:
3. Understand your process
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Different processes and applications will influence the type of paint booth you choose. Liquid applications typically use a dry filter paint booth where an exhaust fan draws paint overspray to a filter bank (in the booth walls or floor pit) and captures it. Powder application processes typically require multiple layers of filtration, ending in either a bag filter or a powder collector, with no need to exhaust the air outside of the building.
4. Define your space
Not only should you consider the working dimensions inside the booth, the space around the exterior of the booth is also important. Take the following factors into account when deciding on the layout and location of your paint booth:
Remember, any complementary products like Paint Mix Rooms and Hazardous Material Storage Buildings will require additional space.
5. Decide on the type of spray booth you need
Paint booths range from enclosures small enough to paint a cell case to ones large enough to paint a C-17 military cargo plane. Start by identifying the primary industry you work in. This will help to narrow down the options available to you and help you find spray booths with the features and options that matter most to you.
6. Pick an airflow
After you have selected the industry and type of booth that fits your application and budget, you can select an airflow style. This may include cross draft, semi-downdraft, side downdraft or downdraft. You will also need to decide whether you need your booth pressurized or heated.
To ensure that the product you are finishing gets the best possible finish, look for spray booths that provide laminar airflow, meaning that the spraying chamber is fully engineered to keep all the air moving parallel in the same direction, without turbulence that results in unpredictable spray patterns.
7. Consult local authorities
As you work through the installation process, be sure to consult the local authorities with jurisdiction and expertise in local codes. If you are building a new facility and also installing a paint booth, working with the building inspector up front will help with permitting and make it easier to be aware of any additional safety requirements beyond general booth requirements.
In addition to ensuring that your facility complies with local codes, certain states and cities may offer grants, financing or rebate programs for paint booths that meet and exceed certain environmental guidelines.
To learn more about the different types of spray booths available, or to get in contact with a distributor in your area, please visit globalfinishing.com.
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