Month: March 2013

To keep your paint booth as safe as possible, there are some simple things you should do to maintain your booth and the safety of those who work in it. To make it easier to remember, try adding all of these items to your calendar based on how often it should occur.

 

• Clean the booth! It’s no secret that to have a great paint job, you need to work in a clean booth!
  –  Sweep and/or mop the floors daily to keep dust off freshly painted surfaces.
  –  Clean the exhaust plenum by sweeping or vacuuming excessive material buildup.
  –  Sweep or vacuum the outside of the booth every year to remove dirt, dust and spider webs that can be sucked into the booth.

 

• Clean Filters = Clean Air! Change exhaust filters when the manometer reads 0.5” above the initial differential reading. Note: Exhaust filters should be changed if the material about to be sprayed may react with the materials that have already been sprayed and still remain in the filter. Order your new filter kit now.

–  Change intake filters when they appear dirty or every 100 hours of booth usage.

 

• Inspect elements of your booth. (You want to turn the power to your booth OFF first).

–  Every six months, you should check the fan belts for cracks and tension. Much like automotive belts, they can harden or glaze, and begin to slip.
–  Light fixtures should not have damaged glass or issues with the wire connections.
–  Ensure positive seals on doors, door latches, door hinges, floor sweeps and door gaskets every three months.
–  Check caulking between seams every three months and fill any gaps or cracks.
–  Inspect ductwork every three months for gaps or excessive buildup.

 

• Maintain a tidy booth! It is critical that the area inside your booth, and the area surrounding your paint booth is as clean as possible. It needs to be free from excessive materials, especially flammable rags and paper products. It’s a good idea to have at least a 3′ perimeter around the booth in all directions that is clean and maintained.

 

• Schedule semi-annual inspections on your fire suppression system by contacting your local fire suppression supplier.

 

• Ongoing training for booth users about safety, cleanliness and incident management that includes fires, explosions, spills and fumes.

 

• Maintain and replace spray equipment (guns, hoses, filters, dryers) and replace routinely.

 

• Spray booths should contain no more than one shift of spray material and no materials that will react if mixed.

 

• Mix rooms should contain less than 120 gallons of material.  Materials should be in covered containers.

 

• Display signage near booth entrances that communicates no smoking, sparks or flames within 20-ft of the booth.

 

• Contact the experienced team at Standard Tools and Equipment for more helpful tips and information about equipment involved in the finishing process. 1-888-312-7488.