When A1 Collision Repair relocated to a new site in Christchurch, getting the right automotive spray booth in place was non-negotiable. A compliant, properly specified booth isn’t just a tick-box exercise — it directly affects finish quality, throughput, and the safety of everyone working in the shop.

Egmont Air supplied and installed a semi down-draft enclosed spray bake oven, designed and built in New Zealand.

At approximately 30 square metres — 7.2m long by 4.2m wide, with a height of 4.05m — the enclosure is well suited to A1 Collision Repair’s operation, giving the team enough space to work comfortably. It is constructed using EPS composite panels. The flat floor, semi down-draft layout is designed for automotive work: air enters through a ceiling supply plenum and exhausts through rear plenums at floor level, pulling solvent fumes and overspray away from the vehicle surface and out of the operator’s breathing zone in a clean, controlled sweep. That consistent airflow pattern is what keeps contamination off wet paint and cuts down on rework.

A single Supply-Turbo fan handles air supply, paired with a direct-fired LPG Gas Burner System to heat the incoming air stream. For anyone refinishing vehicles with modern waterborne or high-solid paints, a bake cycle isn’t optional — those products need controlled heat to cure properly and avoid cracking. Two Extract-Turbo fans handle exhaust through the rear plenums, with discharge ducted vertically to atmosphere at height, meeting AS/NZS 4114:2020 discharge requirements.

The booth is also fitted with purpose-built lighting, giving technicians the visibility they need to evaluate colour accurately and spot any finish issues before the vehicle leaves the booth.

All fans use Exe Rated (flame proof) motors, as required under NZ standards for enclosed spray painting environments. Every electrical fitting inside the booth must be rated for a potentially flammable atmosphere — this is important when working with automotive solvents.

The booth runs on a full Electrical Control-board with automated safety controls, including the Egmont Air Ducting System and external access. Start-up and shut-down follow a set sequence, with pre-purge cycles that clear the booth of residual fumes before and after painting. Airflow is monitored continuously, and door interlocks prevent the spray process from starting with any door open. The system also includes spray interlock output and motor overload protection. Pre-purge and interlock automation in particular takes the guesswork out of safe operating procedure — the system enforces it.

The installation is certified to both AS/NZS 4114 (spray booth requirements) and AS/NZS 60079 (hazardous area equipment). Egmont Air produced a full Hazardous Area Dossier covering zone classifications, safe operating procedures, and equipment certificates, and arranged IQP independent inspector sign-off on A1 Collision Repair’s behalf.

What is a semi down-draft automotive spray booth?

In a semi down-draft booth, fresh air enters through a ceiling plenum and exhausts through plenums at the rear of the booth near floor level. The airflow moves in a clean path from ceiling to floor, sweeping overspray and solvent fumes away from the painted surface and out of the operator’s breathing zone. It’s a well-established configuration for automotive refinishing because it minimises contamination on wet paint.

What compliance standards apply to automotive spray booths in New Zealand?

Automotive spray booths in NZ must comply with AS/NZS 4114:2020, which covers design, construction, and operation of spray painting facilities. Where hazardous area electrical equipment is involved — which it always is in an enclosed booth — AS/NZS 60079 also applies. A Hazardous Area Dossier documenting zone classifications and equipment certifications is a requirement.

What is a Zone 1 hazardous area in a spray booth?

Under AS/NZS 4114, the interior of an enclosed spray booth — including the exhaust duct and two metres of the entrance to the inlet duct — is classified Zone 1. That means all electrical equipment within the zone must be certified for use where flammable vapours may be present. Exe Rated (flame proof) motors and zone-rated fittings are required throughout.

Does Egmont Air manage compliance certification for spray booth installations?

Yes. Egmont Air provides a full Hazardous Area Dossier as part of the installation scope and can arrange IQP independent inspector sign-off on your behalf. The dossier covers zone extents, safe operating procedures, equipment specifications, and all relevant certificates.

Are Egmont Air spray booths made in New Zealand?

Yes — Egmont Air spray booths are designed and manufactured locally, not imported. Each build is tailored to the site and operational requirements of the client.

Planning a new automotive spray booth installation or relocating your workshop?
Talk to the Egmont Air team about a system built to NZ compliance standards.