plumbing 4 air ?

[firemanpat2910]

I didnt want to hijack the other air thread, but I was wondering how many of y'all have the compressor and tank mounted outside, and fittings plumbed all around the garage? I helped a buddy install his a few years ago. We used pvc pipe and it works fine, no noise to listen to. And no heat being generated in the A/C'd garage.

[Tig]

If I'm painting I roll the compressor outside so it can breath and be cool. Normally heat is a good thing in my garage.

[IXLR8]

I plan on plumbing my new garage for compressed air ports all around. Winters in Maine are too cold, snowy, icy to put the compressor outside. I was planning on using PVC rather than copper, I just might use the sch 80 for strength near the connectors.

[aczlan]

I plumbed my father in law's compressor into the shop the other week, I used all in 1/2" PVC, so far so good, next step will be to enclose the compressor (vented to outside of course) so that it is quieter...

a schematic is attached...


Enjoy

Aaron Z

[PitbullMidwest]

An employer I worked for used PVC for airlines and all was well for quite a few years. Then one day the pressure relief failed and exploded the line like a bomb, there was plastic shrapnel inbedded in the ceiling and the walls. Only by the grace of God, no one was injured because they were in the cafeteria for lunch.

After seeing that, I would never use PVC for air lines. My 2 cents worth.

[kevinj]

Originally Posted by firemanpat2910

I didnt want to hijack the other air thread, but I was wondering how many of y'all have the compressor and tank mounted outside, and fittings plumbed all around the garage? I helped a buddy install his a few years ago. We used pvc pipe and it works fine, no noise to listen to. And no heat being generated in the A/C'd garage.

Most PVC is not rated for compresed air service. We use all steel or copper. I have seen some special plastic air line in food processing areas but many of those around here use stainlees in the washdown areas.

[firemanpat2910]

The one place we planned on putting one and forgot was on the outside corner, so as you were pulling a trailer out from the lot behind, you passed rigth by it. Now we use a 50' reel thats mounted inside and by the time you stretch across 25' of garage and 10' of apron you dont have much hose left.

[John47]

This is scary, PVC and copper pipes used for compressed air??? I hope you guys have a good medical plan and plenty of insurance to cover a third party if they burst and injure someone!
I intend plumbing my shop from my static compressor, I will be using 3/8 seamless black pipe rated for compressed air. I don't want to be digging fragments of PVC or copper out of my body should they rupture under 120psi.

[kennyd]

Use PVC for compressed air AT YOUR OWN RISK! Copper or steel pipe is the preferred method for compressed gasses.

And, it is against OSHA regulations...not that you need to conform to those in your home-but you should be aware of the risk's involved in doing so...
19880520 The Use of Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe in Above Ground Installations

This is from a major manufacturer of PVC:

Why does Charlotte Pipe recommend against air testing piping systems?CP&F does not recommend air testing because a hydrostatic test is a better test. An air test is not conclusive. Changes in ambient air temperature will cause the air pressure inside the system to vary. If the outside temperature increases, the test pressure inside the system will increase. If the outside temperature decreases, the test pressure inside the system will decrease. This air temperature variance can mask a leak or fail a system that should pass. Leaks are easier to find with a hydrostatic test. Most importantly, air testing can cause injury or death.
Cast Iron, PVC, ABS, and CPVC pipe and fittings for plumbing and industrial systems
Search for "air" at the above link..

[John47]

Just another point of safety, PVC deteriorates over time, it gets hard. If sunlight shines on it, it hastens the hardening process. Steer well clear of PVC for compressed air!!