Running an auto body shop isn’t just about producing a flawless paint finish or repairing vehicles—it’s also about keeping your team safe and your workshop compliant. One of the most important parts of this is ventilation. Without the right extraction setup, harmful fumes, dust, and overspray can quickly build up, putting both workers and your business at risk.
Why Ventilation is Critical
Paints, thinners, solvents, and fillers release fumes that, if inhaled, can cause dizziness, nausea, or even long-term respiratory issues. Welding and grinding add another layer of risk, producing fine dust and toxic fumes. Poor ventilation doesn’t just harm health—it also increases the chance of fire from flammable vapours and can affect the quality of paintwork by allowing overspray to settle back on freshly painted surfaces.
That’s why Australian standards require effective ventilation and extraction systems in auto body shops and spray booths. With the right setup, you can protect your people, improve your finishes, and meet your compliance obligations.
Extraction Solutions for Painting
When it comes to painting and spraying, capturing overspray and fumes at the source is essential.
- Wall Exhaust Fans: Mounted to the wall, these extract contaminated air directly from spray areas.
- Hooded Roof Fans: Installed on the roof, these remove large volumes of air while protecting against rain and weather.
- Inline Duct Fans: Used in ducted spray booths, these create a strong airflow through filters and ducting to keep fumes away from other work areas.
Together, these solutions maintain airflow, reduce the risk of paint defects, and make life safer for your team.
Extraction Solutions for Repairs
Repairs can be just as hazardous as painting, with welding, sanding, and grinding producing dangerous particulates. Extraction solutions here include:
- Centrifugal Fans: Effective for moving dusty or particle-filled air through ducting.
- General Ventilation Fans: Wall or roof fans that provide consistent airflow across the entire shop.
- Portable Fume Extractors: A standout solution for repair bays.
Why Portable Fume Extractors Are a Game-Changer
Portable fume extractors are designed to remove fumes, smoke, and fine dust directly at the source. They’re compact, mobile, and easy to position exactly where you need them—whether it’s over a welding job, near grinding work, or even in smaller, enclosed spaces where fumes can build up quickly.
Fanmaster’s Portable Fume Extractor Range uses powerful suction and multi-stage filtration to capture airborne contaminants before they spread through the shop. With flexible extraction arms and high-mobility designs, they’re ideal for auto body workshops that need targeted solutions without the cost or complexity of a fixed ducted system.
These units are particularly valuable for smaller workshops or for jobs that move around, giving you flexibility without compromising on safety.
Choosing the Right Setup
Every auto body shop has different needs. When planning your ventilation system, consider:
- Airflow capacity: How much air needs to be exchanged per hour?
- Compliance: Does the setup meet Australian safety standards?
- Mobility: Do you need fixed solutions, portable options, or a mix of both?
- Efficiency: Are you balancing strong extraction with energy efficiency?
Often, the most effective approach is a combination: fixed fans for general ventilation, and portable fume extractors for targeted, high-risk tasks.
Final Thoughts
Ventilation isn’t just a box to tick—it’s an investment in safety, compliance, and quality. By combining wall, roof, and inline fans with flexible solutions like portable fume extractors, you can create a cleaner, safer, and more productive environment for your team.
At Fanmaster, we offer a full range of ventilation and extraction solutions—from heavy-duty roof fans to portable fume extractors—built tough for Australian workshops. With the right mix, your auto body shop will always be ready to deliver safe, high-quality results.