Where to start - features, standards and preparation
- Air filtration:
– Dry filters: these filters are made of materials such as fibreglass and cellulose and trap particles through a series of layers. Dry filters are relatively inexpensive but need to be changed frequently.
– Wet filters: wet filters use water to trap particles and can be more effective than dry filters. They are also more expensive and require more maintenance.
– Electrostatic precipitators: these filters use an electrical charge to attract particles, making them very effective. However, they can be expensive and require regular cleaning.
– HEPA filters: high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are very effective at removing small particles from the air. They are typically used in paint chambers to filter out contaminants that could affect the quality of the paint finish.
– Aspiration:
Aspiration is the process of drawing air out of the dye chamber and replacing it with fresh, clean air. This helps prevent the build-up of fumes and contaminants that can be hazardous to workers’ health. There are several types of aspiration systems including:
– Positive pressure systems:
Positive pressure systems bring fresh air into the paint chamber, creating a higher pressure inside than outside. This prevents contaminated air from entering the chamber.
– Negative pressure systems:
Negative pressure systems draw air out of the paint chamber, creating a lower pressure inside than outside. This prevents contaminants from escaping the chamber and entering the surrounding area.
– Combined systems:
Combined systems use both positive and negative pressure to create a highly controlled, contaminant-free environment.
In general, air filtration and aspiration are critical components of industrial painting chambers. By using these systems, companies can ensure that their painting processes are safe, efficient and produce high quality coatings.
– Dry filters: these filters are made of materials such as fibreglass and cellulose and trap particles through a series of layers. Dry filters are relatively inexpensive but need to be changed frequently.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has several standards related to industrial painting booths and airspeed requirements. One of the key standards for air velocity in paint booths is ISO 14644-1:2015, which specifies requirements for cleanrooms and associated controlled environments.
In Europe, the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU are the main regulations that apply to industrial paint booths. These directives do not provide specific air velocity requirements for paint booths, but instead focus on overall equipment safety and worker protection from potentially hazardous environments.
However, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has developed a set of standards for industrial paint booths that cover both safety and performance requirements. The main standard relating to air velocity in paint booths is EN 12215:2013, which specifies the safety and performance requirements for ventilation and air conditioning systems in non-domestic buildings.
EN 12215 specifies the air velocity requirements for painting booths depending on the type of booth and the type of painting being carried out. For example, for spray booths with vertical airflow, the air velocity in the product plane should be between 0,25 and 0,5 m/s. For spray booths with horizontal airflow, the air velocity in the product plane shall be between 0,2 and 0,3 m/s.
It is important to note that the EN 12215 standard is not a legal requirement, but is a useful guide to the design and operation of safe and efficient paint booths in Europe.
