A while back I read a post about not to use PVC pipe for air lines,,although I had already used it, I figured it was in the base ment, and not suseptible to the cold air temps, although It was for a port outside,,,,, yesterday morning my son plugged in the air line to that port, to air up the trailor tires, and boom, the end with the Quick-disconnect blew right apart, and stayed connected to the 50 ft air hose !!!!

the outside temp was about 25 degrees, the airline had been installed about 7 yrs orso,,without any problems,,, My son did not get hurt,,I guess I (he) is lucky,, and will soon be installing 1/2 IPS iron pipe for for this line,,or any other lines I ever do install!!


I read it here first, and have now had it happen to me !


Thank you all for the great info on this site,

FTE is # 1

10-burnin,,6-turnin,,sometimes 4 smokin !


Later,,,,,,,,,,,,,Mark

 

Thank goodness nobody was hurt. After reading posts like this, I have been thouroghly convinced to never use PVC for air service.

 

Yep... Glad nobody was hurt!!!

I hope everybody that reads these posts replaces their PVC lines BEFORE something happens! Kinda too late after someone is killed or maimed.

 

was it 150psi or 600psi rated? large factorys have been using plastic for years running 250psi plus with no problems. they also run them thru -30 degree refridge units to stop water in lines!

 

by the way, i was not being smug, i would like more input so i don't kill myself or someone else!!!

 

My reply for this may be a bit dated but on a web search I ran across your post.
I've owned & run my own Auto center for 3 decades & also tried schedule 40
I run 175 psi & with a 300 psi rating it should work, right?
NO ! I would use either copper or steel & this is work to install.
I even cut & thread by machine my own black pipe.
While speaking to our service rep. for our bulk lube dispensor I was informed we should use pvc. I asked how to avoid the failure problem.
The PVC to use is schedule 80 !
The Home Depot does not have this grade.
A supply house will carry this. It is NOT expensive at all.
I did find there is less error factor for proper glue up. It must be clean, primed, & use the heavy duty pvc cement.
We are using our lines all day & I have a 2' steel pipe clamped to each lift & then to the schedule 80 to avoid pulling on the plastic day in & day out. Just common sense. This will last forever & again the #80 is cheap & the elbo's tee's & adapters are likewise.
I do not expect this to be at the compressor due to heat & vibration, but with a few feet of steel line there & a steel braided hose for the main hookup [Northern tool has hydraulic hoses] I have no worry with the 185 PSI.
Any replies please change the mail address to .net My IP just switched from the .com & I am working hard to let all our accounts know this!
Rich

 

I have heard of too many pvc air lines blowing up. I would never install one.

 

NO PVC PIPE IS RATED FOR COMPRESSED GAS SERVICE!!! Not schedule 80 or 160 -NONE!!!

DO NOT USE PVC PERIOD!!!!

PVC is only rated for liquid service. It is the material not the wall thickness that is the problem with PVC.

Check with the PVC manufacturers directly and they will tell you NO GAS!

OSHA will not allow PVC. Check other threads in this forum for more information.

There is one type of ABS that is listed for compressed gasses but it is hard to find.

 

The bottome line is, if you can't afford to put in steel, copper or ABS airline, you should run your air system with quality hoses. Then roll up your air system when you are done. You can't afford the ultimate price PVC is going to cost you, INJURY or DEATH!
It's like playing with nitroglycerin, you don't know when it will blow up. And you don't want to be there, let alone another family member or friend.

 

fixit is running a dangerous game, wait until some employee gets injured with that PVC, -he won't own that business anymore and he will be paying every cent to lawyers for the rest of his life. Unfortunately by posting here he has left a "paper trail" that he saw the warnings and the Lawyers will hang him out to dry!

 

SAD.....but true!

 

i just have fifty feet of air line hooked to my compressor.
no worries no problems

 

Thankyou Torque1st!! The problem with PVC is when it fails, it "shatters" which can send shrapnel flying around your shop or into someones body. Steel or copper split open, but do not disintegrate. Much safer, not that much more in expense.

PbFoot

 

Exactomundo!

The other posts in this forum go thru that in detail and try to explain it to everyone.

 

Torque First--Say that again...I dont think it was 'loud' enough...