Paint Room Ventilation

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What type of duct fan should I use for a paint room?

Paint Room Ventilation

Without ventilation that removes hazardous vapors and supplies fresh air, paint mixing and cleanup rooms can cause workers injury and illness. There are two types of ventilation:

  • General exhaust ventilation (or dilution ventilation) uses a wall or ceiling mounted exhaust fan to vent air to the outside. Fresh air is brought in by make-up air vents or windows. General exhaust ventilation alone is not recommended for areas where hazardous substances and vapors are present.
  • Local exhaust ventilation removes chemicals and vapors through the use of a hood duct fan. Local exhaust is recommended when volatile substances are used.
Ventilation tips:

  • Combination exhaust can be used to capture hazardous vapors (local) and circulate air (general).
  • Be sure exhaust fans are installed directly above paint benches to keep vapors from mixing with general room air. Hazardous vapors should be kept from drawing past workers.
  • Hazardous vapors can be heavier than air and tend to collect at the floor. Ceiling exhaust fans cannot vent these heavy vapors effectively, so additional exhaust vents should be at floor level.
  • Exhaust vents and make-up air vents should be located at opposite ends of a room.
  • Look for fans with multiple speeds to control airflow.
  • Use explosion proof exhaust fans and equipment when working with paints. Do your research and get the right type of fan to avoid fire and combustion.

   

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