Spray Booths

Design

SPRAY BOOTH and air flow turbulence

Q.  When you conducted the HVLP gun training class at Camp Lejeune, you made some recommendations that would prevent turbulent air flow within the paint booths. I want to make sure that I have the terminology correct - a VARIABLE SPEED MOTOR on the paint booth's AIR INTAKE system will adjust to the conditions created as the filters become loaded. Turbulence can also be avoided by installing a DAMPER in the AIR EXHAUST system (and adjusting it appropriately). Is that correct? 

Which system would you recommend to reduce turbulence (based on painter training to use the damper, operation and maintenance cost for the damper/variable speed motor, and initial capital cost for installing these features?) We are replacing a paint booth at MCAS, New River (Building AS-4146) and I would like to specify that one of the two systems (variable speed motor or damper) be installed to prevent potential maintenance issues and poor paint quality caused by air turbulence. The booth that is being replaced is in horrible condition, and it was one that you evaluated during your visit to CL.

A.  It is more usual to install either the damper or the variable speed drive on the exhaust blower(s) rather than the air makeup blowers.

Remember to install a Magnehelic gauge across the booth itself so that you will know when the airflow is too low. Attach one tube to the inside of the working area of the booth, and the other tube to the outside of the booth.  

If you have the budget, install an automatic system to adjust the airflow, rather than a manual system. As you are already well aware, painters and supervisors are not always diligent about changing manual systems.

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