The Safety Importance of Using a Spray Booth

There are various health and safety risks involved when it comes to airbrushing which is why it is important to use a spray booth.

Filtration and Extraction Units

When dealing with potentially hazardous substances on a regular basis, various control measures are legally required to be put into place to ensure the safety of those involved. The booths offer a safe place for airbrushing professionals to work, without causing any damage or harm to the surrounding area.

Aerosol adhesives, airbrushing and spray tanning solution overspray, solder fumes, resins and varnish odours could all potentially pose a threat to the quality of air you breathe. So whether you are airbrushing at home or at work, make sure you are aware of the safety measures involved to prevent any unnecessary accidents from happening.

Spray booths come in various shapes and sizes including filtration and extraction units which can be used for the containment, filtration and extraction of potentially harmful fumes. They are often used in marketing departments, car workshops, graphic art studios and even schools where things like modelling and graphic design classes are taught.

Because this type of equipment is of a combustible nature, it is vital that it is properly maintained. Therefore, in addition to the necessary legal safety measures surrounding spray booths, regular maintenance checks must be done and filters should be changed regularly. If the equipment is kept in a good, clean condition there will be less chance of dust or other particle build up, which will also help lessen the risk of static discharge.

Static discharge can occur during the preparing and cleaning of the booths plastic parts and can, in severe cases, cause burns. For this reason it is important that all metal parts of the booth be properly grounded. As a precaution it is also advised that fire safety equipment be kept nearby. In addition, personal protection equipment such as gloves and masks can be worn to protect both the user and operator from any overspray.

SolarEx

GraphicAir manufacture and supply GraphicAir, SolarEx and TechFlo spray booths, as well as air filtration and extraction units and replacement filters. For all your art, graphic, design and airbrushing requirements visit our website today for a wide choice of top quality equipment.

Maintenance Tips for Spray Booths

Air Filtration Cabinet

Spray booths can be described as a pressure controlled environment used to remove harmful chemicals from the air and improve working conditions by making it safe to breathe. They are often found in places like vehicle body shops and design studios where airbrush spraying and aerosol adhesive applications are common practice.

There is a wide range of booths to choose from, all with their own unique specifications and recommended uses. However, they all generally serve a similar purpose which is to contain, filtrate and extract any harmful aerosol adhesives, airbrush overspray, spray tan solution and solder fumes from the air. They can also be used to contain things like resins, varnish odour, paint overspray and conformal coatings.

The spray booth product range extends to filtration and extraction units, portable work benches as well as replacement filters. Tanning mist extractor units are another type of booth which is used specifically to capture the particles and overspray of the tanning mist solution.

Here are some tips on how to maintain your booth and keep it in good condition;

• It is always a good idea to make sure that you and any employees you may have are fully aware of how to use the booth. They should also be fully informed of all the safety measures involved as well as those required by law. Safety equipment should be worn at all times in the form of dust or gas masks as an added precaution.
• Overspray and dust build-up can reduce the efficiency of your booth. To prevent this from causing problems make sure air filters are changed regularly and that a standard cleaning schedule is put into place to ensure the equipment hygienic and safe to use at all times.
•  Static electric discharge can offer potential problems for booths and those using. This however can easily be prevented by making sure that all metal components in the booth are grounded before any work is done.
• Overtime overspray can quickly accumulate and as it is flammable, spontaneous combustion is always a potential hazard. For this reason fire containment equipment is a practical precaution to have on hand as although booths rarely cause fires, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

GraphicAir is a top UK distributor of spray booths with over 20 years of experience in solving airborne pollutant problems. Visit our website today to view our range of booths and other handpicked art and graphic design equipment.

How to Choose the Best Spray Booth for Your Needs

The Key Things to Consider When Buying a Spray Booth

Whether you are using spray booth in your profession or just at home when airbrushing your models or artwork it is essential that you protect your health and environment from potentially harmful chemicals and particulates.

The TechFlo T930H-C Spray Booth

You do not have to spend a large amount of money either.  What you do have to do is ensure that the spray booth you get is right for your needs.

First and foremost – the airflow into the spray booth must be adequate enough to overcome the other forces such as draughts in the room and turbulence caused by the action of spraying or movement caused by your body in front of the machine.  To conform to current regulations this airflow should be around 0.6m/s at the filter face.

Secondly, you must decide whether you need a spray booth unit that vents the dirty air to the outside (ducted) or just back into the room after passing through filters (recirculatory).  A ducted unit is often the best way as you ensure that any harmful particles and gases are removed from the breathing zone and, after filtering to avoid large particles damaging the fan motor, are vented to the outside atmosphere.  The pipe work usually is in the form of a flexible duct similar to that on a domestic washer dryer.  It can be fitted to a wall or window or, can just be placed through a partially open window or door.

If ducting to the outside is not possible then a recirculatory spray booth unit is the only option.

It is now that you need to be really careful in your choice of spray booth. Most spray booth units will have a particulate filter which will filter particles most will only have a simple pad filter. You ideally need a multistage glass fibre which contains particles to around 5 microns (this is smaller than most general dust and pollen particles).  If you’re just spraying a product that is a nuisance from an overspray point of view, a simple a multistage glass fibre particulate filter is enough.  If however, your product gives off an odour or gas, then you will need a charcoal or better still a carbon filter in it as well.  These adsorb a varying degree of organic chemicals or gases which may be given off.  Their efficiency varies greatly.  A thin (15-20mm) one will only be suitable for low use, in a well ventilated room for use with products such as low odour airbrush paints and spray adhesives.  These are therefore usually the most cost conscious options, but they are limited in their effectiveness.  If you spray solvent based aerosol paints or 2-pack, then deeper, heavier activated carbon filters what is needed.  They consist of  densely packed granules of carbon which allow the gas and odour molecules passing through to adhere to them, thus arresting their progress, and in the process cleaning the air that is then returned into the room.  Costs for these spray booths vary greatly from a few hundred pounds to thousands of pounds, but are invaluable when it comes to operator protection from these potentially harmful substances.

As we are dealing with people’s health, both short and long-term, it is worth studying the options and not just jumping into buying the cheapest spray booth as this may not be suitable for your needs.

The correct spray booth will serve you well for many years and will remove the need for face masks this making spraying a more comfortable and relaxing experience so that you can concentrate fully on your models or art.

GraphicAir has a full range of Small Spray Booths for home and professional use, starting from simple units for a few hundred pounds going up to heavy duty filtration cabinets  suitable for dental/medical labs, pharmaceutical labs, design, technology and education.