For any business that owns or operates an industrial spray booth system, it is important to understand why filters require regular changing, when to change them, and how to choose the correct filter for your spray booth. Filters become hazardous and threatening if not changed in a timely manner. It is important to stay up to date on the condition of your filters.
Why Filters Need to be Changed
Filters in spray booths collect a variety of different chemicals over their lifetime. As a result, they need to be changed on a regular basis to protect the health and safety of the work environment and assure quality results. As booth owners know, filters are designed to collect excess paint, particles, and chemicals in order to keep them from polluting the air and respiratory system of the workers operating the spray booth.
An unchanged filter results in sub par jobs, which leads to lost time and resources. A neglected filter can completely ruin a paint job and generate additional costs such as color sanding, buffing, booth cleaning, and more.
When to Change Filters
Every spray booth operates differently depending on the materials used and length of time in operation. Some basic rules of thumb do exist to aid the process: intake panel filters should be examined and changed every one to three months, down draft ceiling filters usually only need to be changed every six months to a year, prefilters every two to four months, and paint arrestors every couple of weeks. These are estimates and depend on the age of the spray booth, usage, and materials used.
How to Choose the Correct Filter
Booth owners should purchase filters that are made to fit and work with the manufacturer’s specifications. It is always advised to use the filters recommended in the operator’s manual. Owners need filters that are suitable for use and the specific chemicals required in their paint application.
Filters come in a wide variety of sizes. Ill-fitting filters may be dangerous and lead to poor performance of the spray booth. To avoid confusion as to which filters to purchase, start by measuring the existing filters and the booth’s holding frame.
Knowing why, when, and how to change a spray booth’s filter is important for a variety of different reasons. Check filters on a regular basis and remember to choose the correct filters for the particular spray booth in use. Employees, customers, and the environment deserve this careful attention to equipment maintenance as it contributes to a job done correctly the first time around.