PVC is dangerous
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
PVC is dangerous
The water pressure rating does not matter!!! The problem with PVC is the material itself and it's failure mode!
PVC shatters like glass!!!!
PVC is NOT "rated to the air pressure involved", it is not rated for ANY air pressure!
ZIP ZERO NONE NADA!!!
The AIR pressure DOES cause the problem!!!
Pressurized gas will expand rapidly on release unlike liquids which don't (almost). The oil will attack the plastic but that is not what causes the failure.
For a remote air service, mount a small tank at the end of the line for an accumulator, and run 1/2" copper line underground. Slope the line so that it does not hold water anywhere along it's length. The tank should be at the lowest point. Put a good drain on the remote tank, it will collect a lot of water. If you are going up hill put a good drain where the line exits the structure.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Waterbury, CT.
PVC is dangerous
Hey, you can lead a horse to water, but......
You should make this thread a sticky, so it's always at the top.
I think what I need to do is blow up a piece of PVC, then we can post the mpeg, just for those who possibly need some material proof that playing with PVC for air service is like playing with fire.
I agree on the 1/2" copper for a remote to the house. But, it needs to be protected, or it will erode eventually. They make a product we use for gas called Enviro tubing. It comes with the jacket already on it, but it's not cheap. What I found to be cost effective, and it just works out better, is to take a roll of 1/2" k-tubing, (100 ft), roll it out, then snake it thru 1" well pipe, the same stuff used for your sprinklers. Just tape the end of the copper to keep out debris. (home depot well pipe, 25.00 for a roll) The copper goes thru fairly easy, and I think it's much better than the enviro tubing. For the connections, use a good silver solder, or braze them, or easier yet, flare them. Compression fittings aren't good on soft tubing, and thier illegal for gas or high pressure air in CT.
By the way, that's my all-time favorite smilie. I spend most of my days exactly like that.
You should make this thread a sticky, so it's always at the top.
I think what I need to do is blow up a piece of PVC, then we can post the mpeg, just for those who possibly need some material proof that playing with PVC for air service is like playing with fire.
I agree on the 1/2" copper for a remote to the house. But, it needs to be protected, or it will erode eventually. They make a product we use for gas called Enviro tubing. It comes with the jacket already on it, but it's not cheap. What I found to be cost effective, and it just works out better, is to take a roll of 1/2" k-tubing, (100 ft), roll it out, then snake it thru 1" well pipe, the same stuff used for your sprinklers. Just tape the end of the copper to keep out debris. (home depot well pipe, 25.00 for a roll) The copper goes thru fairly easy, and I think it's much better than the enviro tubing. For the connections, use a good silver solder, or braze them, or easier yet, flare them. Compression fittings aren't good on soft tubing, and thier illegal for gas or high pressure air in CT.
By the way, that's my all-time favorite smilie. I spend most of my days exactly like that.
Last edited by Freight Train; May 20, 2003 at 06:54 PM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 520
Likes: 1
From: california
PVC is dangerous
Great post! A friend of mine used PVC in his shop... until it burst. He said it was a big bang! Nobody was hurt. He replaced the PVC with type "L" copper pipe with soldered joints. Seems to work fine.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Waterbury, CT.
PVC is dangerous
Eric, I think thats a great idea. I know that I could come up with all kinds of information to add in to a sticky all the time, safety, procedures, equipment FAQ's and recommendations. When I come across things that are relevant, I could send you a link, you look it over, if you like the way it looks, add it in. This could work, and it would be a good starting point for new readers.
Faithful, your friend should count his blessings. People are hurt every day due to unsafe practices. At least he replaced it with copper, too many would get another piece of PVC and put a dangerous system back into operation.
Jared
Faithful, your friend should count his blessings. People are hurt every day due to unsafe practices. At least he replaced it with copper, too many would get another piece of PVC and put a dangerous system back into operation.
Jared
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Evansdale
PVC is dangerous
Why would anybody bother using pvc when they can use iron pipe? Geez people, if you have to be cheap on something, do it on something that isnt exposed to 100 plus psi of air pressure. Common sense people, common sense.
Its like mechanical oil pressure gauges, there is a reason that you dont install them on a vehicle. The tubing can and will burst after so many miles, leading oil to fly out of the tube and blow up your engine, think about it. The same thing will happen when your pvc pipe blows up and your air compressor will stay on until it blows up.
Its like mechanical oil pressure gauges, there is a reason that you dont install them on a vehicle. The tubing can and will burst after so many miles, leading oil to fly out of the tube and blow up your engine, think about it. The same thing will happen when your pvc pipe blows up and your air compressor will stay on until it blows up.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix USA
PVC is dangerous
Steel pipe and fittings for air system---------$100
Six horse compressor with 60 gal. tank------$450
Me, standing in front of my piping system not worried about it blowing up-----------------------------------------PRICELESS
Six horse compressor with 60 gal. tank------$450
Me, standing in front of my piping system not worried about it blowing up-----------------------------------------PRICELESS
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
PVC is dangerous
We use PVC pipe dont get upset yet let me finish lol. At the compressor where it comes out we have a cut off valve when were done using everything we cut it off turn off the ocmpressor and flip a drainer open to release pressure. Just curouse what yall tinhk of this setup and yes if seen it blow up but not from pressure my ddad was cutting a hole for a out pipe on the wood stove and uhh he hit it lol freaked me out cause it let out a lot of pressure thats why6 we installed a few safegaurds
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix USA
PVC is dangerous
casey1968,
First of all don't think that you are the only one I'm picking on, this is for everyone that keeps coming up with different situations, and asking will this be OK? Once and for all NO!!!
In some instances, not only is it ignorant, but it is illeagal to put any pressurized gas in PVC. PVC deteriates from so many factors that it doesn't require an impact to explode. Please people:
Don't install it
Don't use it if it's already installed
Don't ask "will it be OK if I", because it won't!
First of all don't think that you are the only one I'm picking on, this is for everyone that keeps coming up with different situations, and asking will this be OK? Once and for all NO!!!
In some instances, not only is it ignorant, but it is illeagal to put any pressurized gas in PVC.
PVC deteriates from so many factors that it doesn't require an impact to explode. Please people:Don't install it
Don't use it if it's already installed
Don't ask "will it be OK if I", because it won't!
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
PVC is dangerous
lol ok i dont take it personally and it trly doesnt matter i have no control over this setup it is my dads shop after all hes run everything with PVC and has been doing so for years. 
Not my decision unluckily
Not my decision unluckily
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Waterbury, CT.
PVC is dangerous
People can also use black steel pipe for air service 79Lar, (otherwise known as black iron)
Gal pipe would be the best choice, but regular black steel will work fine. A threader will rent out for probably 25 dollars for the weekend. A very worthwhile upgrade from PVC.
Anyone not familiar with plumbing should be aware that installing steel pipe, or even copper pipe requires a 1/4" per foot for drainback on the horizontal runs, and the downlegs should have a drip leg on each one. (min. 3" nipple with a cap) Instead of using a cap on my driplegs, I like to put a ball valve there, this makes it easy to drain the traps every week. Only exception to this rule is a downleg that goes outside, a drip leg will freeze and break in the winter. Instead, come down an inside wall, into a Tee, then install the drip leg, then off the branch of the tee, a short nipple out side, and the fitting.
NEVER connect rigid pipe directly to the compressor, a three foot snubber is required to dampen the vibes.
One other thing, it's illegal everywhere. OSHA banned the use of pvc pipe for pressurized air and gases some time back.
educate yourselves
Gal pipe would be the best choice, but regular black steel will work fine. A threader will rent out for probably 25 dollars for the weekend. A very worthwhile upgrade from PVC.
Anyone not familiar with plumbing should be aware that installing steel pipe, or even copper pipe requires a 1/4" per foot for drainback on the horizontal runs, and the downlegs should have a drip leg on each one. (min. 3" nipple with a cap) Instead of using a cap on my driplegs, I like to put a ball valve there, this makes it easy to drain the traps every week. Only exception to this rule is a downleg that goes outside, a drip leg will freeze and break in the winter. Instead, come down an inside wall, into a Tee, then install the drip leg, then off the branch of the tee, a short nipple out side, and the fitting.
NEVER connect rigid pipe directly to the compressor, a three foot snubber is required to dampen the vibes.
One other thing, it's illegal everywhere. OSHA banned the use of pvc pipe for pressurized air and gases some time back.
educate yourselves
Last edited by Freight Train; Jun 4, 2003 at 11:17 PM.