Egon
Epic Contributor
I have exactly the same problem. Too small a compressor. The one I have has served me well though. During our last hot days it run for 8 hours straight for a few days when I was scaling rust and painting. 
Permanent air lines
- Thread starter pat32rf
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Qapla
Veteran Member
Many of the shops in my area use PVC. Most run the lines overhead (anywhere from 8'-10' from the floor) fastened to the walls with conduit brackets or suspended from the ceiling.
Some use PVC, Black or flex line for the drops to the various outlet stations.
This has been a common practice for at least 20 years.
There have not been any articles on the news about "exploding air lines" and the insurance companies do not disallow the use of PVC.
Perhaps, being in a warm climate (Florida) makes a difference.
Some use PVC, Black or flex line for the drops to the various outlet stations.
This has been a common practice for at least 20 years.
There have not been any articles on the news about "exploding air lines" and the insurance companies do not disallow the use of PVC.
Perhaps, being in a warm climate (Florida) makes a difference.
The Haymaker
Veteran Member
I have seen 1.5" and 4" pvc fail at 120psi. It's not pretty and I'm still finding shards, yes, shards, scattered around the back yard after 3 years since the two catastrophic failures of spud guns I've had. I'd still use it for an oddball project, but I'd never trust it for actual full time use.
The new cannon is all steel for a reason.
The new cannon is all steel for a reason.
Scooby074
Super Member
I thought i read somewhere that OSHA doesent allow PVC? Are you guys sure that the plastic airlines in your workplaces are REGULAR PVC and not Nylon, or something else (IE: air approved ABS)?
I was under the impression that PVC will weaken in the presence of compressor oil and vibration.
Quote :The Dallas Regional Office has brought to our attention a potential serious hazard existing with the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipes for transporting compressed gases in above ground installations. An employee in a Texas plant was injured recently by a rupture in a PVC compressed air line. Plastic projectiles from the point of rupture caused lacerations of the employee's hand. This is noteworthy because the Plastic Pipe Institute, in its Recommendation B dated January 19, 1972, recommends against the use of thermoplastic pipe to transport compressed air or other compressed gases in exposed plant piping. (See attachment.)
Furthermore, sections 842.32, 842.43 and 849.52(b) of the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ANSI/ASME) B31.8-1986, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard, limit the operating pressure of plastic piping distribution systems to 100 pounds per inch (psi) and prohibit the installation of such systems above ground except where ". . . the above ground portion of the plastic service line is completely enclosed in a conduit or casing of sufficient strength to provide protection from external damage and deterioration." (Excerpts attached.)
It is our position that PVC pipe shall not be used as a means of transporting compressed air. This position follows the manufacturer's own statements that PVC is unsuitable for compressed air systems. We do allow the use of certain ABS materials that are specifically designed for compressed air systems. One such product is "Duraplus" air line piping system ABS pipe. However, as in any such system, the manufacturer's specifications on acceptable pressure and temperature considerations must be followed.
In closing, misapplication of a product, such as using PVC for compressed air systems, may result in citations and penalties being issued dependent upon the specific conditions.
Source:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
I was under the impression that PVC will weaken in the presence of compressor oil and vibration.
Quote :The Dallas Regional Office has brought to our attention a potential serious hazard existing with the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipes for transporting compressed gases in above ground installations. An employee in a Texas plant was injured recently by a rupture in a PVC compressed air line. Plastic projectiles from the point of rupture caused lacerations of the employee's hand. This is noteworthy because the Plastic Pipe Institute, in its Recommendation B dated January 19, 1972, recommends against the use of thermoplastic pipe to transport compressed air or other compressed gases in exposed plant piping. (See attachment.)
Furthermore, sections 842.32, 842.43 and 849.52(b) of the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ANSI/ASME) B31.8-1986, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard, limit the operating pressure of plastic piping distribution systems to 100 pounds per inch (psi) and prohibit the installation of such systems above ground except where ". . . the above ground portion of the plastic service line is completely enclosed in a conduit or casing of sufficient strength to provide protection from external damage and deterioration." (Excerpts attached.)
It is our position that PVC pipe shall not be used as a means of transporting compressed air. This position follows the manufacturer's own statements that PVC is unsuitable for compressed air systems. We do allow the use of certain ABS materials that are specifically designed for compressed air systems. One such product is "Duraplus" air line piping system ABS pipe. However, as in any such system, the manufacturer's specifications on acceptable pressure and temperature considerations must be followed.
In closing, misapplication of a product, such as using PVC for compressed air systems, may result in citations and penalties being issued dependent upon the specific conditions.
Source:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
kennyd
Advertiser
You are correct. I posted 2 OSHA links in the thread I referenced above.
But you will ALWAYS have some that say "I have been using it for 10 years without a problem" and that will satisfy some people no matter what the sources you give them. Fact is those people are at more of a risk due to the age of the pipe and possible UV exposure.
Here is more links:
PPFA Bulletin #4
ASTM D1785
Both of those are referenced from the Charlotte Pipe website.
I worked in a shop with PVC, 25 years ago, and have been personally involved in two accidents related to it.
If anyone is going to ignore all the warnings, and use it anyway; use a length of hydraulic hose, or similar, to attach the PVC to the compressor, and switch to steel pipe, before you get to any drops, or attachment points. This will eliminate the most common failure points.
The are so many alternatives now, it makes no sense at all to use PVC.
If anyone is going to ignore all the warnings, and use it anyway; use a length of hydraulic hose, or similar, to attach the PVC to the compressor, and switch to steel pipe, before you get to any drops, or attachment points. This will eliminate the most common failure points.
The are so many alternatives now, it makes no sense at all to use PVC.
Scooby074
Super Member
Except cheap
Penny wise.. and all that. PVC is a risk thats really not worth it.
The new 1/2" flex nylon is only $0.75 a foot. Pretty cheap considering. and its approved for air.
patrick_g
Elite Member
Dry wall/sheetrock is NOT sufficient barrier for exploding PVC pipe at high pressures to make nearby personnel safe. Being in the wall is better than exposed but still you'd rather not be around if the PVC ever let go.
Being able to walk across the street without looking for traffic and surviving is not proof that it is a good idea.
Pat
MikesTractor
Silver Member
I have never been around pvc when it explodes (and don't want to be). The city I work for built a new garage about 5 years ago for maintenance on their equipment and vehicles. The air was plumbed with 3/4 pvc. The insurance company and the building inspector both had a fit. Insurance said they would not insure it, and building inspector wouldn't pass it. It all had to be redone with black steel.
Both of my compressors sit outside under a shed. A short 3/4" hose connects each compressor to galvanized pipe on the outside of my building. All pipe on the inside is black steel. I ran my lines around the top of my walls after finishing the inside of my shop with drops at each of 4 workbenches, 1 at my hydraulic table and 1 drop between the 2 big doors. I have 100' of 3/8 hose on a reel between the doors.
Mike
Both of my compressors sit outside under a shed. A short 3/4" hose connects each compressor to galvanized pipe on the outside of my building. All pipe on the inside is black steel. I ran my lines around the top of my walls after finishing the inside of my shop with drops at each of 4 workbenches, 1 at my hydraulic table and 1 drop between the 2 big doors. I have 100' of 3/8 hose on a reel between the doors.
Mike
Ken Cunningham
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2008
- Messages
- 264
I allso hated having to pull out air hoses and roll them back up. I hinted real hard about what i wanted last christmas and now i have a spring loaded hose real. Havent had any problems with it yet, but it really doesnt get that much use, but it sure is nice to have. Northern tool has em real cheap.
