Paint Booths for Data Center Backup Generator Housings & Modular Buildings

Adding a spray booth inside your plant or shop can wreak havoc with your HVAC systems. Consider that small booths can have a negative airflow of 10,000CFM, while larger booths can reach 50,000 CFM or more. All the air being pulled into the booth and vented to the outside has to come from somewhere—which is why we suggest a heated air make-up unit to maintain a positive pressure in your booth for a cleaner painting environment.

Without an air make-up unit, air is being drawn from the rest of your building. As the pressure inside starts to drop, outside air will be sucked in through every tiny gap and crack in the walls to replace it. If you’re heating or cooling your building, the difference in temperature will substantially increase your gas and electric costs, and doors will be difficult to open due to the negative pressure created by the exhaust fan.

An air make-up unit solves this problem by providing a clean direct source of air for the booth. The air make-up unit pulls in outside air through a dedicated vent, heats it if necessary, and supplies the resulting air directly to the intake filter.

Air make-up units add quite a bit to the initial purchase price of a spray booth – frequently more than the booth itself. However, to avoid serious air quality problems and uneven heating or cooling, they are worth the expense. Whatever type of finish you are applying will be greatly improved.

Operators of spray paint booths are required to comply with a several federal, state, and local regulations to protect both employees and the environment. These rules vary quite a bit, but the most important aspect to remember is that your local regulations trump any others. Many states will require an ETL listing on the booth and may require a wet stamp from an engineer, which can range from $750 to $2,000. So be sure to ask your supplier the right questions. If you need help please give our booth specialists a call at 1-833-552-6684.

Meeting with your local fire marshal or building inspector is the most important step in compliance. The vendor you choose should be able to provide general guidelines and as much help as possible. Local authorities generally have the final word on what type of installation, safety equipment, and operating procedures are required.

The safety features you may need include a fire suppression system, either dry chemical or water-based, depending on the substances being used in your application. There may be specific airflow requirements based on the type of spraying you do and the size of the booth. And you’ll have to comply with standard regulations concerning electrical wiring and fire exits.