Many commercial vehicle depots in urban areas are restricted sites, meaning either that the footprint of the site itself is compact, or the location is constrained by the presence of public highways, bridges, utilities locations, and surrounding homes and businesses. For depots with water recycling systems or commercial vehicle wash systems, this can make overspray an important safety and site management issue. Read on as we discuss how to manage overspray in restricted commercial wash areas.
While in large and spacious depots there is simply more space for spray to settle without causing a negative impact, on smaller sites there is less of a buffer around the bay for water mist and loosened dirt to land safely, so that small layout issues can quickly affect other parts of the depot. On constrained sites, there is also usually less space between the wash bay and other functional areas within the depot – as well as public-facing spaces – increasing the risk of overspray landing where it shouldn’t.
Overspray can affect property, people and assets far removed from the wash bay itself, especially during high winds. For example, overspray can cover parked vehicles, roller shutters, windows, nearby stock, signage, electrical equipment and adjacent properties. They can also carry contaminants and residues onto surfaces that were not designed to receive wash water – which may create a housekeeping, staining, or pollution-control issue.
Overspray is an inevitable part of high-pressured commercial vehicle wash systems. Nevertheless, good design choices can help contain overspray within a designated area, and mitigate the safety and environmental risks of overspray spreading around and beyond the site. This starts with where your wash bay is located. Good design layout reduces overspray by placing the bay away from sensitive areas wherever possible, orienting the wash direction carefully, and using the right level of screening, splash guards, and containment. Your equipment choices also matter. Spray pressure settings, nozzle position, brush arrangement, drainage channels, and vehicle position should all support controlled washing, rather than pushing misted wash water beyond the bay.
But what about factors that are outside of your direct control, such as wind strength and direction?
These can also be accounted for as a site-layout risk. For example, part of your site survey could identify the prevailing wind direction, exposed corners, and open depot boundaries at higher risk of overspray affecting neighbouring drains, businesses, and members of the public. The bay can then be positioned so that spray is not driven towards these areas in a strong wind. If this isn’t possible, the design can add screens, partial barriers, or even a full wash bay enclosure to contain spray and debris within a safe area.
If your wash area is tight, exposed or close to other site activity, overspray needs careful planning. Please get in touch with Britannia to discuss your enclosure and water reclamation options, and discover practical ways to control spray for every site size and layout.
Image Source: Envato