DIY: 5 Easy Steps To Set-Up A Temporary Blasting Enclosure

DIY: 5 Easy Steps To Set-Up A Temporary Blasting Enclosure

Creating a temporary blasting enclosure on jobsites is a common practice, especially when you need a controlled environment for small projects or occasional blasting tasks. Here’s a straightforward guide to setting up your temporary blasting area using shipping containers.

1.  VENTILATION

Proper ventilation is critical for visibility and safety. If the blaster cannot see what they’re doing, it compromises the quality of work and increases the risk of accidents. Poor ventilation can lead to rework, costing time and money. Ensure that the airflow passes directly past the blaster and ventilates from the container’s doors to the back.

2.  AIR FLOW

For optimal airflow, direct it past the blaster and ensure it ventilates out the back of the container. When using ducting, it’s typically installed at the front opening of the container. However, if the ducting operates with a suction vacuum, it mainly pulls in fresh air, which isn’t effective for dust removal. If a fan is used to blow air inward, creating positive pressure, it often causes dust clouds to accumulate at the back, limiting visibility.

To efficiently capture dust and prevent abrasive from escaping, install a baffle wall that extends from the top of the container to 18 inches off the floor, placing it approximately 12 inches from the back of the container. Next, cut a 12 to 20-inch hole in the back of the container near the top and attach a ventilation duct to this opening.

To generate the necessary airflow, use a simple Blue Wizard fan. For more permanent setups or enhanced dust removal, consider renting a dust collector to improve the system’s efficiency.

3.  LIGHTING

Excellent lighting is essential for clear visibility during blasting. Install 4-5 lights around the top rim, angled toward the center of the container. This setup ensures the blaster can see their work clearly, reducing the need for rework.

4.  STOP ABRASIVE ESCAPING

To prevent abrasive from exiting the enclosure, install simple doors with chicken mesh and filter sheeting or shade cloth. This setup allows airflow and natural light while containing the abrasive. Having a filter sheeting over the doors will still allow good airflow and some natural light into the area.

5.  RECOVERING ABRASIVE

To collect abrasive, add a piece of plywood at a 45-degree angle near the back baffle area. This setup helps the abrasive flow back into the blast area, making it easy to collect with a shovel for disposal. Consider adding a lean-to on the container’s side for a blast pot and easy disposal.

Proper Ventilation: Dos and Don’ts

HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT BLASTONE

For more detailed advice or if you’re setting up a painting area, which requires explosion-proof setups, contact our service representatives. We’re here to help!

4 PRINCIPLES and 3 RULES OF EFFECTIVE BLASTING VENTILATION

Many contractors mistakenly view ventilation as just a compliance expense, but in reality, effective ventilation enhances safety and boosts productivity, ultimately paying for itself. To support your workforce’s health, safety, and efficiency, we provide essential principles and guidelines for optimizing your ventilation systems.

4 PRINCIPLES OF PROPER VENTILATION:

1. Maintain air quality in the operator’s breathing zone.
2. Ensure good visibility by extracting dust and illuminating the work area.
3. Dilute contaminants to prevent explosive levels and use gas monitors.
4. Protect against noxious dust or lead contaminants escaping the enclosure.

3 RULES FOR VENTILATION DESIGN:

1. Air should be brought in high and extracted low, leveraging gravity to remove contaminants.
   • First, solvent fumes and dust are heavier than air. High to low extraction uses gravity to assist in their removal, and
   • This helps limit the exposure of these contaminants in the breathing zone of the operators. Ventilating upward will naturally lift contaminants and increase the odds of compromising PPE equipment and/or the vision of operators.
2. Ensure the system delivers the correct airflow for the work area, considering the type of contaminants, work, and space size. This is measured in changes per hour or air velocity through the work area.
3. Capture or exhaust hazardous dust or fumes safely to comply with environmental or OSHA regulations.
   • If work area is encapsulated, the cross-sectional area should be as small as possible.

SUMMARY:

• Ventilation: Ensure proper airflow for visibility and safety.
• Air Flow: Use a baffle wall and ventilation ducting to control dust and abrasive.
• Lighting: Install adequate lighting for clear visibility during blasting.
• Stop Abrasive Escaping: Use simple doors with mesh and filter sheeting.
• Recovering Abrasive: Add a plywood angle for easy collection of abrasive.