SmERF Paint Booth

The SmERF Paint Booth is a resource that students can use to spray paint projects on campus in a safe and controlled environment.

Important Information

 * The Paint Booth is to be used during regular work hours (8:00 am - 5:00 pm) Monday through Friday.
 * No use of the Paint Booth outside of this designated time frame.
 * The maximum daily use of the Paint Booth not to exceed 8 hours.
 * Any use of the Paint Booth outside this time frame is considered a violation to our permit with Idaho DEQ and will result in a penalty and a monetary fine to the department.

Labratory Procedures
All of the policies outlined in the 'Laboratory Procedures' training apply to the use of the paint booth as well. Make sure you have been trained, and understand those policies.

Abilities
The paint booth in the Vehicle Research Building is owned by the College of Engineering. It is the only appropriate place to paint indoors. Painting in any other interior location (shops, labs, etc.) is not allowed. However, painting outside in open air is allowed, so long as there is protection in place to keep over spray off of the ground, buildings, vehicles etc.

Due to out status with the State of Idaho EPA, at this time only aerosol spray paint is allowed in the paint booth. If you have a project requiring a different type of paint you will need to discuss this with the lab supervisor. If approved by the supervisor, you will also need to contact Fred Hutchison (EHS Director, 885-7208, fhutch@uidaho.edu) to see if we are allowed to use those products in our facility, and what measures need to be taken to ensure it is safe for the users.

Scheduling
Before using the paint booth, you must talk to the lab supervisor first to let them know your plans. Just because you may have the SmERF checked out for the week does not give you free access to use the paint booth.

Fees
Due to consumable materials necessary to operate the paint booth (filters, paper, cleaning chemicals, staff time, etc.) there may be a fee required for using the paint booth. Check with the lab supervisor for the latest fee structure.

Record Keeping
In order to keep our 'exempt' status with the State of Idaho EPA, we are required to record all the uses in the paint booth. We are documenting this in two ways.

1) All aerosol cans are to be properly disposed of after use. A receptacle for disposal will be located near the paint booth

2) A notebook with details of what type of product and the quantity used is also posted by the switches for the paint booth. Fill out a record for every project you do in the paint booth. If there isn't already an MSDS for your product, print one out and file it in the back section of the notebook.

Current List of MSDS's File:Paint Booth MSDS.xlsx

Sprinkler Heads
There are two sprinkler heads in the paint booth. In order to make sure these function properly in an emergency they need to be protected from overspray while painting is underway. Before painting, use a small paper bag and rubber band (supplied) to cover up the sprinkler heads. Once finished with painting, remove and discard the paper bags, and return the rubber bands.

Filters
Before setting up to paint, check the filters by turning on the exhaust fan and inspecting the pressure in the manometer. If the filters need replacing, talk to the lab supervisor.

Hanging Parts
Two bars across the top of interior of the paint booth can be used to hang parts from for painting. Use wire or metal coat hangers to hang the parts. The maximum total load on any single bar is 20 lb. Alternatively, you can measure the distance the bar is sagging. If it is deflecting more than 1", the load is too heavy.

Cleanup
Do your best to keep overspray off the floor, walls, tables, and lights in the paint booth by laying down cardboard or plastic before painting. Once you have finished your project:
 * make sure you have entered a complete record of your use in the notebook.
 * Clean any accidental overspray off the interior of the paint booth.
 * Remove the paper bags from the sprinkler heads.
 * Sweep out the floor inside the paint booth.