Energy efficient spraybooths for the RNLI

Junair Spraybooths has recently installed and commissioned three bespoke energy efficient spraybooths for the new RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole.

The new ALC will bring the production and maintenance of its fleet in house for the first time in its 191 year history. The ALC will give the RNLI greater cost control and efficiencies which are expected to save more than £3m per year the charity.

The composites and paint facility houses three bespoke Junair spray booth ovens, in which brand new vessels, refitted boats and repairs can be repaired, painted and baked.

Big Booths for Big Boats

Of the three spray booths installed, the two larger booths each measure 20 meters in length and 10 meters in both height and width to accommodate the largest lifeboats. An air handling unit rated at 70,000m³/hr has been fitted to each spraybooth ensuring high levels of airflow in accordance with legislative requirements. To aid usability multiple service areas have been installed in the booth, including high level booms, providing the booths with compressed air, electrics and breathing lines to ensure all areas of the spray booth have access to necessary services.

The smallest of the three booths has been designed to accommodate component parts and smaller boats and measures 20m x 7m x 7m high. This booth is fitted with an air handling unit rated at 50,000m³/hr.

Energy Efficient Spray Booths

For increased energy efficiency and temperature uniformity in the bake cycle, two of the booths have been fitted with Junair’s patented QADs, an auxiliary air movement system designed to accelerate the air movement from the corners and centre of the cabin during the flash off and bake cycles. The unique QADs system speeds up drying times and reduces the all-important energy costs and process times associated with running a spraybooth. 16 QADs towers have been installed in total, ensuring full coverage in the booths. Variable speed drives have also been fitted to alter the airflow volume to suit the process further increasing the efficiency.

Additional energy saving strategies include automatically switching off lights in bake mode, which are then relit once the cycle has completed. High levels of lighting are achieved by 14 vertical light towers fitted around the perimeter of each of the booths with two ceiling strips along the length.

As well as the three booths the RNLI ALC now also boasts a paint mix room, a paint store and a shot blast booth for parts.

Angus Trenholme, Technical Director, commented “We were delighted to be approached by RNLI to help out with their new ‘All-weather Lifeboat Centre’. When we initially worked with the RNLI to specify these booths we were fully aware of the importance of the long term energy efficiency of the spraybooths especially with the RNLI being a charitable organisation, which is why we recommended using our QADS.”

Chloe Parmiter, Logistics Manager, RNLI comments “The new All-weather Lifeboat Centre gives greater control of costs and quality and has created 90 new employment opportunities in Poole, including apprenticeships in marine engineering and boat building.”

Contact Junair for spraybooth services

For further information about any of the spraybooth repair and maintenance services we offer, email us at sales@junair.co.uk or contact our experienced team on 01706 363 555.

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