Paint Booths: Maintenance Mode

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Copyright © 2024 Standard Tools and Equipment Co.. | Ecommerce Shopping Cart Software by Miva, Inc.

Top 5 Paint Booth Safety Measures

No matter what kind of paint spray booth you have, it’s essential to make sure you are taking all the necessary precautions to keep your shop and personnel safe. By following a few simple guidelines, you can reduce the risks of fire, air quality problems, and damage to your products. Here are some of the most important safety measures for spray booths.

1. Protect Air Quality

Whether your spray booth is designed for wood finishing or automotive painting, the primers, varnishes, and finishing products that it uses contain hazardous chemicals that can damage equipment and/or create health problems. A properly functioning paint booth reduces the threat of these chemicals in several ways:

  • Creating a closed space for the finishing process
  • Capturing overspray before air is exhausted outside the booth
  • Providing makeup air to maintain balanced air pressure in the booth and shop
  • Heating the air so that the finishes cure faster

To maintain good air quality in your shop, it’s essential to operate your spray booth according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to use proper exhaust filters and ductwork. Run the ventilation system at all times during spraying operations and for a suitable time afterward to clear vapor from the air.

2. Reduce Fire Risks

Most finishing products are extremely flammable, so it’s vital to take steps to mitigate fire risk. The three components that can cause an explosion or fire are an ignition source, oxygen, and flammable material. Standard paint booth operation converts liquid finishing products into airborne particles, and these particles then collect on equipment and in overspray filters. It’s not possible to remove oxygen from the air in and around the paint booth, so you must control the last remaining element: ignition.

Many actions can create sparks: drilling, welding, and using other types of equipment with high friction levels. You can help eliminate the chance of sparks by installing mats that reduce static and ensuring light fixtures are sealed properly. Make sure both your shop and the paint booth itself have adequate fire detection systems. Automatic sprinklers and other fire suppression measures are essential as well.

An ETL-listed paint booth has an electrical control panel that meets the highest safety standards. Even if your state does not require you to use ETL-certified equipment, purchasing an ETL-listed model can help you feel confident you are mitigating fire risk as much as possible.

3. Follow All Safety Codes and Standards

Safety codes and regulations are in place to help you create and maintain a safe work environment. Paint booth safety requirements come from several different organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Your state may have additional regulations. While you may not have the time or desire to memorize all the details of applicable safety regulations, there are a few basics you should know:

  • Paint booths should be made of strong materials, such as concrete or steel
  • Booths should have proper exhaust systems
  • Spray booths should be grounded, and electrical equipment should be designed for use in a flammable environment
  • Fans should have integrated spark-arrestor systems
  • There should be a clear space of at least 3 feet around all sides of the booth, including the top
  • You should post appropriate and clear safety instructions

You should only purchase a paint booth that complies with all relevant codes, including specifications from your local Fire Marshall, building inspector, and insurance provider. It’s also essential to make sure your booth is installed by a professional who follows local building codes.

4. Create Safe Storage and Mixing Procedures

Solvents, paints, varnishes, and other flammable liquids must be stored and handled safely. Personnel should wear proper protective equipment during all phases of operation: mixing, moving, and applying finishes.

It’s best to have a designated storage space or room that is separate from the rest of your shop and from the paint booth. It’s also important to mix finishing products in a space with good ventilation and fire suppression equipment. A paint mixing room makes it easy to safely store and mix your finishes.

5. Complete Preventative Maintenance

Setting up your shop and your paint booth properly is the first step to creating a safe operating environment. However, maintaining that environment is just as important. Follow the preventative maintenance guidelines for your spray booth:

  • Replace intake and exhaust air filters according to the manufacturer’s recommended frequency
  • Keep all hoses, fans, and other equipment clean and free of overspray and debris
  • Check your ductwork and seals periodically, and repair any leaks
  • Complete any maintenance tasks recommended by the manufacturer

Routine maintenance helps your paint booth operate safely and efficiently.

Keep Your Finishing Operations Safe

Choosing a high-quality paint booth is the first step toward creating a suitable environment for finishing operations. Other vital safety precautions include performing equipment maintenance tasks, using suitable PPE, and changing air filters frequently. When you purchase a paint booth from us, you can feel confident that your new spray booth complies with all NFPA, OSHA, and EPA guidelines. If you have specific requirements, we can also develop a customized booth for you.

Upgrade Your Shop with a Paint Mixing Room

Paint mixing room

Whether your shop is dedicated to painting automobiles, creating furniture, or finishing cabinets, having the right equipment makes all the difference. Even if you already have a spray booth for finishing your products, you may want to consider installing a paint mixing booth. Investing in a dedicated paint mixing room can significantly improve the safety and productivity of your shop.

Benefits of a Paint Mixing Room

Mixing and storing paint and finishing products on an industrial scale requires planning and preparation. With a dedicated paint mixing room, you can increase the efficiency of your workflow and bring your shop into compliance with safety standards and local codes.

Safety

One of the most important benefits of a paint mixing room is an improvement in your shop’s safety conditions. Most finishing products, including paint, varnish, and solvents, are extremely flammable. It’s essential to keep these chemicals away from heat sources, which is far easier when you have a dedicated room in which to mix and store them.

Productivity

You can greatly increase the productivity of your operation by installing a paint mixing room. It gives you a secure, separate space in which to organize and store all your finishing products and mixing equipment. Having everything in one place can eliminate the need to find and set up equipment every time you want to use it. It’s far easier to deploy spill containment measures in a dedicated space.

Code Compliance

It’s essential to make sure your operation complies with safety and building codes. Installing a mixing booth can make it easier to ensure you are following all relevant legal requirements. Both the National Fire Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have regulations that apply to mixing and storing paint and chemicals. Paint mixing booths are designed around these requirements, so installing one in your shop is a simple way to establish compliance with essential codes.

Reduce Contaminants

A mixing booth allows you to mix and store finishing products in an isolated environment where you can filter the air, significantly reducing dirt and other foreign matter. Lowering the amount of dust and debris in the preparation area helps ensure your finishing products are free from contaminants that can damage the final quality of the finish.

Air Quality

Primer, paint, lacquer, and other products used in the finishing process can release toxic fumes that can damage indoor air quality and present a risk to shop personnel. A paint mixing room has built-in ventilation, which can help reduce dangerous particulates in the air, improving the shop’s working environment.

Paint Mixing Booth Design

A mixing booth is exactly what it sounds like: a stand-alone booth set aside for preparing and storing paint and finishing products. There are several key features to look for when choosing a paint mixing booth:

  • Heavy-duty wall panels
  • A secure door
  • Appropriate exhaust and ventilation components
  • A proper air intake filter
  • Excellent lighting
  • Code-compliant fire protection measures
  • Easy control panel for light operation

In many cases, paint mixing booths are designed for DIY assembly. It’s essential to choose a booth that comes with clear, easy-to-follow assembly instructions.

Paint Mixing Booths and Code Regulations

A mixing booth is subject to vital safety codes, most of which are based on NFPA requirements and/or OSHA guidelines for different aspects of the design:

  • Safe storage for paint/flammable liquids (the allowable quantity is based on the distance between the mixing room and the spray booth)
  • Automatic fire protection system
  • Continuously operating ventilation fan providing adequate air movement
  • Appropriate size dimensions
  • Effective spill containment
  • ETL-certified electrical components

It’s vital to choose a mixing booth that complies with these federal codes as well as any local safety regulations that exist in your area.

Getting Maximum Value Out of Your Paint Mixing Booth

A paint mixing booth is an excellent addition to your shop, making it easier and safer to organize, mix, and store your finishing products. When you are choosing a mixing booth, make sure to find one that fits well in your shop and complies with all applicable safety codes.

We make it easy for you to get the right mixing booth. Our mixing booths come in three standard sizes, but we can also create a customized booth for you in any size up to 150 sq. ft. All of our mixing booths are compliant with NFPA and OSHA standards, and they’re also ETL-certified. We design our booths for easy assembly and offer flexible placement options for the door, light, and fan. Our production is fast, so you can get your booth up and running in just days. When you’re ready to enhance your shop with a dedicated paint mixing booth, we are here to help. Contact our team for answers to your questions or details on our customization options.

Standard Tools and Equipment Celebrates 20 Years.

Standard Tools Celebrates 20 years and 20,000 paint booths. Celebrate with us and see how the whole “Paint Booth thing” got started for us at Standard Tools and Equipment. It’s not where you might think.

“When it comes to our people, our products and the customers we serve … we are anything but Standard.”

Happy Birthday Standard Tools and Equipment Co. Continue reading Standard Tools and Equipment Celebrates 20 Years.

The Process of a Paint Booth Sale

It used to be that everything could be bought at your local hardware or general store. After that, there was Wal-mart (AKA: Wally World). Since the Internet has become a household necessity in the last decade, online shopping has skyrocketed and people are carving out niches that only the Internet makes possible. For instance, a stay-at-home Mom who can sew really well is able to sell her crafty pieces on Etsy or Ebay. Have some stuff you want to get rid of but don’t have the time or energy for a yard sale? (Plus, you really hate getting up that early.) Snap a photo on your phone and put it on Craigslist. People no longer have to fight the crowds at Wal-Mart or search from store to store. They can find everything, including extremely rare and hard-to-find items or Paint Booths, on their computer.

Shop with Caution: With online shopping come scams and rip-offs. After all, anyone can setup a web site and become an “online seller” without any credentials or validity. How do you know if it is a legit business or just a guy in his garage? It is extremely important that when you are ordering from an online retailer, do your homework. Read the “About Us” page on their site. Check them out on social media (Facebook / Twitter / Ect.) Are there pictures of their facilities, phone numbers, an address, email addresses, etc? How long have they been in business? Do they stand behind their products? Do they have a customer service department? Google their company name for any online conversation about them. Read their customer feedback. Always go with your gut instinct. Okay, rant over… moving on.

Here’s the process of your paint booth going through production! We’re going to demonstrate via photos (fun, right?!). All of our sales & customer service team members are based out of our home office, on the same premises as our manufacturing plant. Both located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Once you have shopped our web site, watched our “About Us” video and liked us on Facebook…. You’re ready to order. Continue reading The Process of a Paint Booth Sale

The Semi-Down Paint Booth: A Workhorse For Your Shop

SD-1000-ModelThe WORKHORSE of our paint booth line is the popular semi-down paint booth, better known as the SD-1000. This model is used worldwide for automotive and industrial applications because of the durable and dependability it offers our customers! It is used by more start-up auto body shops than any other model because it can handle heavy workloads with ease!

Designed to move air across the vehicle in much the same manner as the more expensive booths, air is pulled from the cleaner upper levels of the shop.  Once air enters the booth through the half canopy, it moves in a cross-downward angle (down and across) to the exhaust filters, located at the opposite end of the booth. By utilizing a filtered canopy along with filtered ceiling panels, the air is filtered twice, making it one of the cleanest booths on the market today.

The SD-1000 Semi-Down booth is designed to work with or without an air makeup unit. SD-1000 with AMUAir Makeup Units allow you to be more productive because it can cure your paint job in under an hour. Many customers choose to add the air makeup unit to the booth at a later date. This allows the shop owner to purchase equipment in stages, adding additions and modifications to their SD-1000 Semi Down Booth when they can afford it.

Manufactured in North Carolina, the SD-1000 Semi Down Booth is easily customizable to add length, width, additional light fixtures and more! We can manufacture and ship quickly to anywhere, worldwide!

Features:
–        Inside Working Dimensions – 14′ W x 9′ H x 26′ 61/2″ L
–        Outside Dimensions – 14′ 3″ W x 11′ 11/2″ H x 26′ x 9 1/2″ L
–        Great lighting: fluorescent 2’ x 4’ fixtures with 4 lamps in each fixture
–        TRI-Fold doors with glass are double skinned to look great and offer extra durability
–        This booth can be modified to have drive-through doors for extra productivity
–        This booth is also available in a reverse-flow design
–        36” x 84” Personnel door with glass
–        Front doors with clear tempered glass
–        Assembly instructions/permit package
–        UL approved electrical components

SD-1000-insideOptional Add-on Features:
8′ x 34″ exhaust duct work package
Additional 4′ section of exhaust ducting
ETL-listed NEMA 1 control panel
Additional light fixtures
Additional length
Additional height
Drive-through doors
White Powder Coated Finish (Inside and Out)

Visit www.paint-booths.com for more information on this booth, to order or to see our complete line of booths! Contact our sales team at 888-312-7488.

Get Your Paint Booth Ready for 2013

John Mauney
Electrical Engineer
Standard Tools and Equipment Co.

DSC_0066‘Tis the season, as they say, for some family time and hopefully a little shop down time. While your booth is enjoying it’s vacation, now is the perfect time to do a once over and make sure you are properly maintaining your booth throughout the year. Here are a few things to check to prepare for the New Year!

Check all of your filters. This is especially important if you have a non-heated booth with a top canopy that has filters. If the filters are loaded and dirty, it puts more negative pressure on the door seals. We offer Filter Kits if you find yourself needing to replace yours.

Check your door seals on the product doors and the personnel door. If the door seals are gone, then air and dust are sucked in around the doors and on to the product resulting in that dirty word “BUFFING”. If they need to be replaced, you can find these seals at any hardware store. Just peel and stick.

 “If there’s a streak, there’s a leak”.  Check around the bottom of the booth, it should be caulked to the floor. This is very important if you use water in your booth for dust control. Water under the bottom channel will shorten the life of the booth due to rusting. Check around the light frames for a proper seal.

A little time with weather stripping, a caulking gun, and some new filters can save you big in the years to come.

Paint Booths: Maintenance Mode

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