{"id":290,"date":"2026-09-28T12:10:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/?p=290"},"modified":"2026-09-28T12:10:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:40:04","slug":"what-does-an-axial-flow-fan-do-inside-a-paint-booth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/what-does-an-axial-flow-fan-do-inside-a-paint-booth\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does an Axial Flow Fan Do Inside a Paint Booth?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spray a panel of paint and you release more than colour. You also release a mist of fine droplets and solvent vapour into the air. If that air sits still, the mist settles on surfaces, the vapour builds up, and the painter breathes it in. The booth&#8217;s ventilation system exists to stop that from happening. In many booths, an axial flow fan sits at the heart of that system.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Does an Axial Flow Fan Do?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An axial flow fan moves air in a straight line along the axis of its shaft. The blades draw air in from one side and push it out the other side in the same direction. Axial fans suit jobs that need a large volume of air against low to moderate resistance. In a paint booth, the fan usually pulls contaminated air out of the work zone and sends it through filters to an exhaust point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of the fan as the engine of the booth&#8217;s airflow. The booth design decides where air enters, which way it travels and where it leaves. The fan provides the pull that keeps it moving.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Air Moves Through a Paint Booth<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every booth has the same basic goal: move clean air past the painter and the part, then carry overspray and vapour away. Booths achieve this in different ways.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crossdraft booths<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Air enters at the front, travels horizontally across the work area and leaves through filters at the back wall. The exhaust fan sits behind that filter wall. Crossdraft booths are common in smaller workshops because the layout stays simple.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Downdraft and side-draft booths<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a downdraft booth, air enters through the ceiling and leaves through the floor. In a side-draft booth, it exits through one side. These designs keep overspray moving away from the painter&#8217;s breathing zone in a different direction. They often need more ductwork, which adds resistance to the fan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What the air carries<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The moving air does three jobs at once:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Carries overspray<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into the filters before it settles on the part or the walls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dilutes and removes solvent vapour<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so it cannot build up inside the booth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Protects the painter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by moving contaminated air away from the breathing zone<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Many Booths Use Axial Fans<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Booths need to move a lot of air. The fan must keep a steady air velocity across the booth opening, even as filters start to load up with paint. Axial fans handle high volumes efficiently and fit into a round duct or wall opening without much space. That compact shape makes them a common choice for booth exhaust.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Axial fans also come in a wide range of diameters and motor sizes. That lets a booth designer match the fan to the booth&#8217;s size and airflow target.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, axial fans lose airflow quickly as resistance rises. That brings us to the most misunderstood part of paint booth ventilation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Static Pressure: The Number That Changes Everything<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Static pressure is the resistance the fan must push against. Filters, ducts, bends, hoods and dampers all add to it. As paint collects in the filters, static pressure climbs further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manufacturers show this effect in their performance tables. Here is an example from Action Aire&#8217;s official catalogue for one single-phase axial flow fan model:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Model AA-AF DD01-60 (600 mm, 1 HP, 1400 RPM)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Air Delivery (m\u00b3\/hr)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free air<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 5 mm WG static pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9,800<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 10 mm WG<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8,750<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 15 mm WG<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 20 mm WG<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 25 mm WG<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3,000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These figures belong to that specific model only. Still, the pattern teaches a general lesson. The same fan delivers far less air once the system adds resistance. If you size a fan using its free-air figure alone, the booth may end up badly under-ventilated once filters and ducts come into play.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why a booth needs a proper system calculation. The designer adds up the resistance of every component, then picks a fan that still delivers the required airflow at that pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What the Fan Cannot Do on Its Own<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fan that moves enough air does not automatically make a booth safe. Spray finishing involves flammable vapours and combustible residue, so safety rules focus on the whole system.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vapour concentration limits<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the United States, OSHA&#8217;s standard 29 CFR 1910.107 requires spraying to take place in a spray area with adequate ventilation to remove solvent vapours. An OSHA interpretation letter explains that ventilation counts as adequate when it prevents vapour-air mixtures above one-fourth of the lower flammable limit (LFL). Other countries set their own rules, so check the standard that applies at your site.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrical area classification and the motor<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solvent vapour can ignite. A motor or switch placed in the airstream can become an ignition source. That is why paint booths often need fans with motors and components rated for the area&#8217;s hazard classification. A standard industrial fan is not automatically suitable for a hazardous location.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fire codes and booth design<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NFPA 33 is the consensus standard for spray application using flammable or combustible materials, and OSHA refers to it in its interpretation letters. Local fire authorities may enforce it or an equivalent national code.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The practical takeaway<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selecting a paint booth fan is an engineering task. Involve a ventilation engineer or booth manufacturer, confirm the area classification, and choose a fan whose motor and construction match that classification. Do not assume any axial fan will work simply because it moves enough air.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping Booth Airflow Steady Over Time<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A booth that works well on day one can drift out of balance within weeks. Paint builds up on filters, blades and duct walls, and every layer adds resistance. The fan keeps spinning, but it moves less air.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good booth operators treat airflow as something to check, not something to assume. Many booths use a pressure gauge across the filter bank, so staff can see when the filters need changing. Others run simple airflow checks at the booth face on a regular schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Routine care also protects the fan itself. Overspray that reaches the blades can throw them out of balance, which raises vibration and wears bearings faster. Build blade and housing cleaning into the same routine as filter changes. Always isolate power before anyone reaches into the fan or duct.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, record what you find. A simple log of filter changes, gauge readings and cleaning dates shows patterns over time and helps you plan maintenance before airflow drops too far.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Booth Fan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use these questions when you speak with a booth designer or fan supplier:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What airflow does the booth need at the face or cross-section?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What total static pressure will filters, ducts and bends create?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the hazardous area classification inside the booth and the exhaust path?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the fan motor and construction suit that classification?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will the site monitor filter loading and airflow over time?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which local safety and fire codes apply?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear answers to these questions protect your painters and your facility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where Action Aire&#8217;s Axial Range Fits<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Action Aire manufactures axial flow fans in single-phase and three-phase versions, in sizes from 400 mm to 1200 mm, as listed in its product catalogue. The catalogue presents performance at several static pressure points, which helps engineers compare airflow against system resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same catalogue names dry spray paint booths among typical uses, alongside kitchen ventilation, fume exhaust, roof extractors, textile plants and chemical industries. That listing describes the general application area. It does not state a hazardous-location rating or certification for any model. Before you consider any unit for a paint booth, confirm its suitability for your specific hazard classification in writing with the manufacturer and your booth engineer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can browse Action Aire&#8217;s full <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">industrial fan range<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or learn about the company&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/about.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">manufacturing background<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For broader guidance on choosing between air circulators and exhaust equipment, read <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-right-industrial-fan-for-your-factory-or-warehouse\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to choose the right industrial fan for your factory or warehouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To discuss airflow and static pressure data for a general ventilation project, reach the Action Aire team through its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/actionaire.co\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is an axial flow fan?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An axial flow fan moves air parallel to its shaft, drawing air in on one side and pushing it straight out the other. It suits applications that need high air volume against low to moderate resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do paint booths need an exhaust fan?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fan carries overspray into filters and removes solvent vapour from the booth. This protects the painter and prevents vapour from building up to dangerous levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is static pressure in a paint booth?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Static pressure is the resistance that filters, ducts and bends create against airflow. As filters load with paint, static pressure rises and fan airflow drops.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can I use any industrial axial fan in a paint booth?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. Paint booths often count as hazardous locations because of flammable vapour, so the fan motor and construction must suit the area&#8217;s classification. Confirm suitability with a qualified engineer and the manufacturer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much ventilation does a spray booth need?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on booth type, size, coating materials and local rules. In the US, OSHA treats ventilation as adequate when vapour stays below one-fourth of the lower flammable limit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the difference between a crossdraft and downdraft booth?\\<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A crossdraft booth moves air horizontally from front to back. A downdraft booth brings air in from the ceiling and exhausts it through the floor.<\/span><br \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is an axial flow fan?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"An axial flow fan moves air parallel to its shaft, drawing air in on one side and pushing it straight out the other. 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[&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":291,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[216],"tags":[222,220,217,221,218,219],"class_list":["post-290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-axial-flow-fan","tag-industrial-exhaust-ventilation","tag-overspray-removal","tag-paint-booth-ventilation","tag-solvent-vapour-ventilation","tag-spray-booth-exhaust-fan","tag-static-pressure"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=290"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":292,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290\/revisions\/292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.actionaire.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}