VESSEL BUILD, REPAIR & MAINTENANCE SPRAY PAINT HAZARDS IN SHIPYARD MAINTENANCE
The construction and maintenance of vessels often involves refurbishment or new application spray finishes of marine grade paint. The primary dangers involved with the presence of these gases includes both fires and explosions as a result of using flammable paints and coatings, as well as exposure to personnel to chemical hazards and toxic substances. Often completed in confined spaces, if not correctly and adequately ventilated, can cause ill heath for those involved in the process.
During the spray process, paint particles are released into the atmosphere through the spray nozzle which increases the release of hazardous vapours. Though safer methods have been developed including less toxic coatings, shipyard employers must continue to
take precautions to avoid exposure to these fumes.
Effective ventilation should be used continuously throughout the paint process to exhaust toxic fumes away from the working area and potential ignition sources to keep concentrations of flammable vapours low. Confined or closed booths used for smaller units will require additional supply ventilation in the form of axial or centrifugal fans. Supply air systems will incorporate filters to ensure that dust and particles are not forced into the booth which may embed within the new paintwork. Currently there are no standard fans or methods used for air movement within spray booths and spray painting within shipyards with customers choosing a wide range of industrial products including bifurcated, axial fans, centrifugal fans or inline ranges. Where ships are typically too large to be contained within a booth,
natural ventilation will ensure that the supply air is adequate, while an isolated fan unit would typically be used to exhaust away the hazardous fumes from the working personnel.
ATEx fans may also be required where paint mixtures are used that contain highly toxic, flammable and explosive solvents with flash points below 80 degrees Celsius.
For more information on industrial fans for use within marine and shipyard applications visit our website:
www.axair-fans.co.uk
p24 |
www.dockyard-mag.com | August 2017
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