36truck
Well-known member
At work today had an PVC air line explode. Was washing the ceiling bumped the air line and POW it blows up.
PVC pipe air line explodes
- Thread starter 36truck
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yup!
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Annnnnnnnd here we go!
Hahaha. Just kidding fellas. Personally I'm not a fan of them, but to each their own.
OP, glad you didn't get hurt man! Those shards coulda done a number on your eyes!
Hahaha. Just kidding fellas. Personally I'm not a fan of them, but to each their own.
OP, glad you didn't get hurt man! Those shards coulda done a number on your eyes!
Cyberbear
Well-known member
Everything that's been said about avoiding PVC air lines must be true...
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
You are lucky you weren't hurt. There was a thread here a few years ago where a PVC system blew in a factory and someone got killed.
Chris
Chris
MG11068
Well-known member
How old was the PVC? Was it in place where it had sun shining on it? I didn't think PVC got brittle like that.
Toymeister
Well-known member
These stories have been here for years on GJ. As a Yooper (a resident of the UP of Michigan) you are probably accustom to getting by with what you have. This is one area where its a bad idea.
Background for others: The OP is a resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. THis is an area of beauty, little industry, low population and little wealth. The Yoopers are proud of their ability to get the job done. Much like Alaskans.
LEVE
Well-known member
Just curious:
How old was the system?
What pressure was in the system?
How cold was it in the shop?
Was it below freezing overnight?
How old was the system?
What pressure was in the system?
How cold was it in the shop?
Was it below freezing overnight?
those questions aren't a concern when using steel , copper, or proper air systems...
Op, glad to hear no one was injured.
It would take much more than a “bump” or “tap” to damage black pipe.
Black pipe is rugged and best suited for harsh shop environments.
It would take much more than a “bump” or “tap” to damage black pipe.
Black pipe is rugged and best suited for harsh shop environments.
MG11068
Well-known member
Glad you weren't hurt. I bet it was a scary situation.
don't know about PVC, but CPVC gets extremely brittle with age. every installation from the 80's I have ever worked on (water plumbing, not air) always ends up cracking and breaking somewhere leaking water all over. Whenever I see CPVC I have to fix for someone, I try and rip it out and put in real copper/solder...I know people like PEX, but give me natural materials anyday. rock, metal, fiber, you get it...there's a reason natural materials hold value over man made. wood furniture, wool blankets, cast iron tools, granite walks...and copper pipe!
softailgarage
Well-known member
This has been argued about for years here and there are still fools that say PVC is ok for air lines. PEOPLE, PVC IS NOT RATED FOR AIR, GIVEN TIME IT WILL EXPLODE. There is a reason why it's illegal to have PVC airlines in a commercial building in California!
But hey, dont listen to me, what do I know?
But hey, dont listen to me, what do I know?
fteufert
Well-known member
175 PSI in PVC was asking for trouble.
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
This has been argued about for years here and there are still fools that say PVC is ok for air lines. PEOPLE, PVC IS NOT RATED FOR AIR, GIVEN TIME IT WILL EXPLODE. There is a reason why it's illegal to have PVC airlines in a commercial building in California!
But hey, dont listen to me, what do I know?
I couldn't agree more. I tried it about 15 years ago. The compressor never even got to full pressure before it blew apart. Just say NO to PVC.
Lippyp
Well-known member
A couple of years back they replaced all our water mains in the area. I asked why and how old they were and the contractor told me they were put down in the 80's but were PVC pipe rather than MDPE and as a material choice it sucked as it had all gone brittle and was leaking all over the place, this was direct buried underground.
Tim The Tool Man
Well-known member
I agree with you to a degree but in my area there are a lot of wells with very acidic water which simply dissolves metal pipes. In these cases unfortunately PEX with plastic fittings or CPVC are the only ways to go. (of course you would still want several feet of sacrificial copper pipe in the system to kill bacteria)
As to the OP, thank God nobody was hurt! I briefly considered PVC when I was laying out my shop air system because money was tight and PVC is dirt cheap compared to the alternatives. Fortunately I found the Garage Journal when I was using Google to edumacate on DIY air line layouts and I saw the light! I ended up running copper and black iron in my shop. I just had to postpone the work until I could save the extra funds.
Miss_Sissy
Well-known member
Sun isn't the only source of UV. Fluorescent lights often put out substantial UV.
gatorgrabber
Well-known member
What has not been mentioned (so far) is that Sch-40 PVC really can't take much heat before the strength starts to go away. And that's exactly what happens when you compress air, it gets hot. Check for yourself the temp/pressure ratings printed on the pipe. We design aeration systems for a living (aquaculture) and Sch-40 is a real no-no, even at our lower pressures. Repeated heating/cooling cycles (along with UV exposure) makes this stuff very brittle...and dangerous.
dpaton
Well-known member
Temperature derating for PVC isn't discussed much but it should be. At 140f, it's 20% the strength as at 70f.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermoplastic-pipes-temperature-strength-d_794.html
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermoplastic-pipes-temperature-strength-d_794.html
I found GJ several years after I had put up my airlines. Needless to say, I have replaced my PVC airlines with black pipe.
Glad to hear that nobody was hurt.
gatorgrabber
Well-known member
Wow, beat me to the link! 
PVC (SCH40, 80, & 120) piping is meant for fluid handling / plumbing applications.
It is not intended to deliver compressed air.
http://www.charlottepipe.com/pl_pvc_sch80.aspx
refer to the cautions and notices..
It is not intended to deliver compressed air.
http://www.charlottepipe.com/pl_pvc_sch80.aspx
refer to the cautions and notices..
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TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
This is exactly the reason I will only use clear 1/4" fish tank air tubing for my compressor lines.... 
volleyball
Well-known member
Not a concern when not using compressed air either.
Do you think it is not worth knowing how it failed?
Capt Chrysler
Well-known member
A good friend of mines wife was the QC supervisor at the local PVC manufacturer. I was told the pulse and oil from the compressor deteriorates the pipe from the inside.
Capt. Chrysler
Capt. Chrysler
raf0419
Well-known member
Glad you're ok.! A friend experienced a similar failure and thankfully experienced no injuries either.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
gatorgrabber
Well-known member
Somewhere I have a photo of a chunk of Sch-40 that exploded and blew a hole through an adjacent 1/2" plywood (not sheet rock) wall. That could have very well been a fatal incident if not for dumb luck.
That could have very well been a fatal incident if not for dumb luck.If YOU are the owner of this business . . . . then IMMEDIATELY replace any and all PVC that is being used as airline system. Take that **** out and throw it away !!
If you are employee, inform boss that you'll be calling OSHA if business doesn't IMMEDIATELY remove all that ****.
OSHA will fine that business a whole lot more than new black pipe steel airline system will cost. Head down to wholesale pipe supplier like WinNelson and fill up trailer with black pipe steel . . . . get to work with pipe wrenches !!
If you are employee, inform boss that you'll be calling OSHA if business doesn't IMMEDIATELY remove all that ****.
OSHA will fine that business a whole lot more than new black pipe steel airline system will cost. Head down to wholesale pipe supplier like WinNelson and fill up trailer with black pipe steel . . . . get to work with pipe wrenches !!
Zrexxer
Well-known member
taumac
Well-known member
Since the topic is up again I know of a shop running pvc airlines and osha didn't have issue until lately. So did OSHA ban use of airlines?
PS the shop and building was built in 1994.
PS the shop and building was built in 1994.
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https://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
from the internet:
February 14, 1989
Mr. Jack Cannova Tempe
Industrial
412 W. Dryon Street
Tempe, Arizona 85283
Dear Mr. Cannova:
In response to your recent inquiry concerning our regulatory position on the use of plastic pipe for compressed air systems, I trust this letter will clear up any confusion over the issue.
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.
I appreciate your concern and inquiry into this potential safety hazard.
Sincerely,
SAM A. ROGERS
Bureau Chief
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^ ^ ^ Need to make this "PVC Education" stuff a mandatory read click-thru before getting GJ login. Include pics of all the exploded hackjob PVC airlines like this OP just experienced.
Can't understand how a business owner could be so clueless.
Can't understand how a business owner could be so clueless.
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