Paint Booth Safety Topic

General information and EPA compliance on paint booth safety.

General Information

When working with or handling paint and/or painting equipment it is essential to have adequate ventilation to avoid flames and other ignition sources. Most paints, varnishes and thinners are highly combustible and should only be used in a well ventilated spray paint booth. These booths are equipped with fume exhausts and air intakes to minimize toxic vapors and flammable fumes while providing needed ventilation for breathable air.

Because of the high risk of flammable combustion in a paint booth, all electrical wiring must be spark-proof. In addition, proper maintenance of the ventilation ducts is a must. Regular cleaning of the booth and ducts is required to avoid the accumulation of paint, dust, and pigments.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA recommends a change-out schedule that can be developed using readings from a manometer or…