Building Code-Compliant Industrial Spray Booths
Designing and building industrial spray booths is more complicated than just choosing the right size and adding an exhaust fan. A properly designed spray booth has to include a safe, controlled environment for applying coatings while at the same time meeting specific building codes, fire, electrical and ventilation requirements. Manufacturers need to ensure compliance from the early stages of building a finishing system to avoid permit delays, redesigns, costly production interruptions, and safety issues. Here are some key considerations when building a code-compliant industrial spray booth:
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Applicable Codes and Standards: What codes or local requirements apply to your facility? Every finishing process is different, and depending on your industry you may have different requirements. Some of these include:
a. International Building Code (IBC)
b. International Fire Code (IFC)
c. OSHA requirements
d. NFPA 33, Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials
e. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)
f. Local fire and building codes
g. Air permitting and environmental regulations
h. State and local requirements
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Spray Booth Application: The parts you are coating, and your production process will help determine booth design, but there are some considerations before you get started:
a. Part dimensions
b. Part weight
c. Production volume
d. Coating type
e. Application method
f. Flash-off and/or drying requirements
g. Operator access
h. Material handling requirements
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Designing the Airflow and Ventilation Systems: Airflow is one of the most important components in a compliant spray booth. The ventilation system has to capture overspray and coating vapors while moving contaminated air out of the booth. Booth configurations are based on your specific applications and required airflow patterns. Common booth configurations include:
a. Cross-draft
b. Downdraft
c. Side-downdraft
d. Open face
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Ensuring Adequate Makeup Air: Exhausted air from a spray booth has to be replaced in order to avoid negative pressure in the facility as well as booth performance. Makeup air systems ensure consistent booth performance, temperature control, and finish quality. Heating and cooling makeup air is essential for facilities operating in all seasons to maintain consistent coatings.
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Choosing the Right Exhaust and Filtration Systems: Depending on your process, you need exhaust and filtration to manage material overspray. Filters need to be accessible for frequent replacement to maintain consistent airflow. Common filtration includes:
a. Intake filters
b. Exhaust filters
c. Paint arrestor filters
d. Multi-stage filtration
e. Cartridge filtration
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Fire Protection Measures: One of the most critical parts of paint booth design is fire protection. Any fire protection measures should be incorporated in the original designs of your spray booth. Your installation requirements may include:
a. Automatic fire suppression
b. Sprinkler systems
c. Portable fire extinguishers
d. Emergency access and shut offs
e. Booth construction materials
f. Flammable liquid storage
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Booth Construction: The booth build must include materials that are appropriate for your finishing process and can withstand the environment. The interior should be designed to minimize overspray buildup and be easily cleaned. Material considerations include:
a. Durable steel panels
b. Smooth, cleanable interior surfaces
c. Properly sealed joints
d. Accessible filter sections
e. Reinforced doors and access panels
Building Compliance Into your Finishing System
Building a code-compliant industrial spray booth starts with planning, engineering, and the right team in place. Rohner designs and builds industrial paint booths and finishing systems based on your coatings, ventilation requirements, material handling needs, and with fire protection and industry-specific compliance in mind. Talk to our team today to get started!
Have questions? Please contact the Rohner team: info@rohner-usa.com
