Air Make-Up Unit Installation for Paint Booths
An air make-up unit replaces the air a paint booth exhausts, helping stabilize booth pressure, finish quality, temperature, and plant comfort. Double D Mechanical installs air make-up units with close attention to equipment placement, intake and discharge ductwork, gas and electrical connections, controls, and access for future service.
Discuss your installationBalancing Booth Exhaust With Replacement Air
Paint booths move a large volume of air, and the replacement air system has to support that demand without creating drafts at booth openings or pressure problems in nearby rooms. Planning starts with the booth style, exhaust arrangement, production schedule, and whether the unit serves one booth or multiple finish areas.
Placement, Roof Loads, and Duct Paths
Air make-up units may be set outdoors, on a roof, on a mezzanine, or near the booth depending on the facility. The installation plan should account for structural support, crane or forklift access, weather exposure, intake location, discharge duct routing, and safe working space around the unit.
- Review roof framing and curb location before equipment delivery.
- Keep outdoor air intakes away from exhaust discharge where practical.
- Leave service clearance at filters, burners, motors, dampers, and control panels.
Utility Connections and Controls
Typical coordination includes gas piping, electrical feeds, disconnects, control wiring, interlocks, dampers, and temperature controls. The air unit needs to operate in step with the booth exhaust so painters are not fighting pressure swings, door pull, or inconsistent air movement during spray cycles.
Information That Helps the Walkthrough
Have booth drawings, air unit submittals, roof plans, utility locations, gas pressure information, and photos of the proposed setting area ready. It also helps to identify production windows, lift restrictions, and who will handle roofing, structural review, and final utility tie-ins.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a paint booth need make-up air?
The booth exhaust removes air from the building. Replacement air helps maintain pressure balance, supports booth airflow, and reduces unwanted drafts from doors, docks, and adjacent rooms.
Can the unit be installed on the roof?
Many air make-up units are roof mounted, but the structure, curb location, weatherproofing, access, and duct routing need to be reviewed before that decision is made.
What trades are usually involved?
Mechanical, electrical, roofing, controls, gas piping, and sometimes structural teams may need to coordinate around the unit, ductwork, interlocks, and penetrations.
What should be checked before ordering equipment?
Confirm airflow needs, heating requirements, voltage, gas availability, intake and discharge locations, service clearances, and how the unit will be lifted or moved into place.