Blog

How Can You Use Body Shop Curtains for Layouts?

Body shops are hectic areas that require protection for specific department walls. To keep areas safe and separated, many building owners install body shop curtain walls throughout the facility.

These curtain walls can be set up in a variety of ways to suit specific facility needs.

Want to learn about the various curtain arrangements you can implement in your body shop? Follow our guide for common layouts, as well as the benefits body shop curtain walls can provide. Take note of how easy it is to create an ideal layout that is flexible enough to change whenever the shop demands it without preparation or additional costs.

Layouts for Body shop Curtains

Body shop owners have multiple layouts in which they can set up their curtain walls. In many circumstances in collision repair facilities up to 25% of space can be recaptured due to the efficient division of shop space. In an ideal world, a layout like the sketch to the right can contain spray areas, prep, parts edging, wash bay and even a spray booth in a modest size shop. The following are the most common setups for auto body shop curtains:

• Single curtain—One curtain is utilized on a track system, splitting the shop in half or isolating one section of it.
• Two-sided stations—Curtains are situated around two permanent walls. An effective room is built in the corner of the shop that takes minutes to set up or takedown.
• Three-sided stations—Curtains are arranged around in a track system around one permanent wall.
• Four-sided stations—Body shop curtain walls make up the entirety of the structure. Processes can be isolated anywhere in the shop at will.
• Multiple workstations—Multiple four-sided stations can be arranged. This can include as many four-sided stations as needed.
• The use of curtains allows the sections to be sealed off quickly with little setup. There are no building costs, and installation is simple and straight forward. The system is incredibly flexible, allowing shop owners to use different areas for different tasks as needed. They can get more done in a smaller shop while still maintaining the advantages of separating processes.

Enhanced Productivity

Some areas, like those used for painting or welding, could be loud and distracting to other departments throughout the auto body shop. To maintain order and productivity throughout the building, facility owners can install body shop paint booth curtains in specific sections. The harmful fumes, high heat, and UV radiation of welding can be contained. Noise-reducing curtains can protect the rest of the shop from loud noises. This way, any noise or other distractions are contained in that area.

Body shop curtain walls also provide a level of privacy for auto body facilities. When not in use, employees can simply slide these curtains out of the way.

Safer Work Environments

Without the right protection system in place, auto body shops can be dangerous areas. Depending on the area of the building, anything from welding sparks to paint fumes to steel and aluminum dust could be present. Every part of the body can be under assault. The ears, lungs, and eyes of employees are at risk, and the longer they are exposed to these risks, the more severe they become.

To keep contaminants and impurities contained, body shop owners will need to implement curtain walls throughout the facility. These can contain any chemicals, paint spray, water, and more from escaping or spreading. The levels of PPE needed for the entire shop is reduced, and employees are able to work freely.

Creates a Safe Space for Car Body Repair

Auto body shops often need to designate specific sections for repairs. However, they may not want to create a permanent space for this. Each repair requires a different amount of space, and the amount of time they need the space varies. Auto body shop curtains can create the flexible yet highly protective space they need.

Used in conjunction with carbon fiber blankets, body shop curtains can create a safe space for even high-heat processes, like welding.

Prevent Outside Contaminants From Entering

Auto body environments invite high levels of containment. During spray painting, overspray is produced. The fumes are toxic without protection, and they can permanently ruin equipment that accidentally gets painted. Dust and dirt coming in also ruins the quality of the paint job as it mixes with the paint being applied. In cleaning applications, dust or other impurities could enter the air. All of these could be harmful if not contained to a specific area.

To keep everyone in the auto body facility safe, shop curtains can be installed. That way, if any dust or other impurities are produced, they will not be introduced to other areas.

For more information about various body shop curtains layouts, as well as how these industrial curtain wall systems can be advantageous for your business, contact Steel Guard Safety today.