Properly obtaining Paint Booth Filtration in wet spray
operations, requires compliance and understanding of OSHA and EPA
regulations. OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health
Administration] is tasked with worker safety and requires that
paint overspray be efficiently evacuated from the paint chamber.
This entails having an adequate exhaust system, as well as,
proper filters. Proper filtration will allow air flow with the least
amount of paint loss and clean air quality. This is especially
critical within enclosed spray booths that
require air intake filters to prevent dust from entering the
paint chamber.
Crossdraft Paint Booth Filtration
Powder coating booths are different,
as you can see in the diagram, the air being circulated through
the booth will be re-entering the plant. These filters
need to be properly maintained with a visible check list
attached and easy viewed for plant managers and employees.
In
addition to noncompliance with OSHA and EPA, improper Paint
Booth Filtration selection can result in higher paint costs,
product rejects, safety hazards and significant maintenance
cleanup costs.
Improper or untimely change-out of spent paint booth exhaust
filters can result in the same, if not worse, problems that are
normally associated with improper filter selection.
Examples of OSHA Regulations
Construction. Paint Booths shall be constructed
substantial of steel, securely and rigidly supported, or made of
concrete or masonry except that of aluminum or other substantial
noncombustible material may be used for intermittent or low
volume spraying. Spray booths shall be designed to sweep air
currents toward the exhaust outlet.
Floors. The floor surface of spray booth and operator's
working area, if combustible, shall be covered with
noncombustible material of such character as to facilitate the
safe cleaning and removal of residues.
Chemco
supplies removable Spray Booth Floor Covering.
To help maintain a proper clean
spray booth removable wall coatings are just as important,
Chemco also provides Removable
Wall Coatings
Distribution or Baffle plates. Distribution or baffle plates, if installed to promote an even flow of air through the booth or cause the deposit of overspray before it enters the exhaust duct, shall be of noncombustible material and readily removable or accessible on both sides for cleaning. Such plates not be located in exhaust ducts.
Dwyer
Mark II, Order by Calling 800.323.0431
The Manometer is designed to measure the differential pressure
drop of air flow from the front of the filter face [ inside the
spray booth ] versus behind the filter back [ towards the
exhaust fan.] This shows the booth operator when the air flow is
restrictive to the point of falling below OSHA's requirements,
telling the operator the filters need to be changed.
The EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] is tasked with
protecting air quality and requires a filtering of a percent of
paint overspray particulate from being airborne through exhaust
stacks protruding through the manufacturing plant's roof.
