OSHA and using PVC for compressed air

['99 stroker]

I heard once that you were not suppose to use PVC for compressed air, because if something happened it could potentially explode and shoot shrapnel everywhere. I have however seen a few shops that use PVC for this purpose. I really don't see what the big deal would be especially schedule 40 that is rated for well more then what most compressed air systems run at. Let me know what you know, thanks

[JLDickmon]

don't do it.
Use black iron instead

[CLAC]

don't use PVC! we did it in our shop (5yrs old) This past summer we had 5 blows. Like a grenades going off. No one got hit, but there was some good damage. We replaced it with some type of new aluminum air piping rated for shop air systems.

[fords4life]

PVC and air is not a good idea. Copper, black iron, galvanized, or the aluminum shop air pipe setups all work great.

[glamis_dave]

why would anyone use anything but black pipe ??
it's indestructable,cheap,and will out live you,by a zillion years...

[kyle43335]

been using s40 pvc for 10+ years,and never had a problem.

[CLAC]

Originally Posted by glamis_dave

why would anyone use anything but black pipe ??
it's indestructable,cheap,and will out live you,by a zillion years...

true! some people cheap out and use pvc. black pie is great but heavy. The new aluminum system may cost a bit more, but are light and easy to put together. Snap and fit.

[Steamfighter]

We only use black pipe and copper , all brass termination fittings . PVC is not rated for oxygen , compressed air or inert gas . ( against code around here ) the problem is when pvc degrades enough or gets struck , it blows out (fragments) and usually someone gets hurt . We had a project at St. Elizabeths hospital last year where they pressure tested schedule 80 12" pvc lines in utility tunnels to 120 psi , sent 6 guys to the hospital ( St E's is a mental institution) when the pipe blew . Osha said the pvc should ONLY be tested with water , never compressed air .

[Johnboy3]

The last time we plumbed a system up in one of our shops, we used big truck air line. It is rated for well beyond shop air systems and was so easy to put up. Adding extra things later or repairing any part is amazingly easy.

[TylerDurden]

Its been stated above, in different terms, but its not always the air inside the pvc that dictates it not be used for pneumatic systems. Its the atmosphere of its intended usage that may decide that. In a shop where people are burning and welding? That should be obvious. Not to mention it would be weakened from the UV light a weld gives off. Pressurize it and hit it with something: BAM!!!! Plastic splinters fly everywhere!

Dont do it!!! Even if you put an enclosure around it, I would say its unsafe.

Black pipe.