PVC pipe air line explodes

[taumac]

Thank you for the article. I will show him next time I see him. When I first found out about PVC airlines I brought it to his attention is the dangers. He commented that OSHA never had an issue with it but just recently they did so begs the question why was the shop that was built the 1994 even allowed to have PVC airlines in first place if back in 1989 it was banned.

 

[gatorgrabber]

Trust us, you're doing him a big favor by getting that stuff replaced.

 

[1949 caddyman]

PCV should not be used for air lines. I noticed it broke at the threaded fitting. Plastic piping Should be less apt to crack if a male plastic fitting was screwed into a metal female fitting as the plastic is now in compression from the pipe threads. If the fittings were reversed the plastic would be in tension. Does this make sense?

 

[TEXACMAN]

When I was younger I was sweeping out my grandads shop when a pvc line close to the floor blew up, ended up with stitches in my leg and a change of pants! lol!

 

[Disney]

I wonder how many have actually experienced a failure vs how many on here use the pvc. I am using it now. I may replace with black pipe later.... maybe..

 

[stage20]

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.

you had a damaged piece of pipe from the get go or you didnt glue it properly.

either way, dont use it. but it shouldnt have grenaded in new condition.

 

[Zeke]

^ ^ ^ 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.

There have been more incidences of fires due to oily rags than exploding PVC air lines. By no means am I saying the PVC lines are OK. But if you're gonna a mandatory read, better start making a list.

It's not a bad idea. I belong to a forum for a particular car that has a rep for being maintenance heavy and expensive to work on. Lots of DIY'rs there. They have a sticky for links to most of the common issues. Saves a LOT of time.

But, that serves another purpose. They don't have any safety sticky's.

To the OP: glad no one war hurt. If you hit that line, you were right there.

 

[chris142]

Ours is Sch40. Been up since 77

They inspect our shop every year. Never said a word about it. Always pass except for one time they wanted that lead fuse on the solvent tank there.

 

[zeekh]

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?

Not worth taking the chance. PVC seems to get brittle with age. I ran black iron pipe have no worries now

 

[laser3kw]

a shop I worked at had schedule 80 pvc for air. about once a year we would come in and the compressor would be running and smoking hot. A joint would blow and dump the air.
Funny part is, it would always blow at an elbow. And it would blow the elbow apart and leave the glue joints.

 

[bullnerd]

I reached over to click in a quick connect behind a mill...boom..pvc pipe blew apart! Luckily I have a habit of looking away whenever installing those things, no matter what pipe. I felt the pieces hit me in the back of the head and some stuck in my hair. This was in a machine shop I worked in. Boss made us replace the section that blew. Turn the compressor back on, and without even touching it, another section blew out in another room.

Its not worth it.

 

[404]

Glad you are OK. PVC has been a NO for air for as long as I can recall.. Not a secret by any means.

 

[plow]

If you are employee, inform boss that you'll be calling OSHA if business doesn't IMMEDIATELY remove all that ****.

And if I were his employer, I would fire his *** post haste.

 

[mikegt4]

Top 3 reasons for using PVC plastic pipe for air lines.

1. it is cheap to purchase
2. it is quick and easy to find at the big box store
3. it is quick and easy to install

None of these reasons are good enough.

I would say that those that choose to use PVC/CPVC do so because they feel that any or all of these 3 points justify it's use. I have seen it blow apart, it's not pretty.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

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?

175 PSI in PVC was asking for trouble.

PVC is illegal for air lines EVERYWHERE (in the USA).


Anything much above atmospheric pressure with compressed air in PVC is asking for trouble...

Tommy

 

[plow]

I wonder how many have actually experienced a failure vs how many on here use the pvc. I am using it now. I may replace with black pipe later.... maybe..

I'm using 1" Blazemaster CPVC with the proper one step glue and fittings. It's Sch 40 and have had no problems. It runs 150 PSI and not in the sun. I use electrical straps to secure it. I've installed this stuff in three garages, the first was almost 20 years ago and it's still intact. I spose if you run that paper thin trash from HD, or hit it you would have problems with it fraggin on ya.


Knowin what I know now, I'll use it again. If for some reason I couldn't get the Blazemaster or the like (I think Central makes it as well) I would run it in steel. DISCLAIMER! Not everyone has access to this stuff BTW.

 

[600SL]

I wonder how many have actually experienced a failure vs how many on here use the pvc. I am using it now. I may replace with black pipe later.... maybe..

I had PVC in my garage for 20 years, always thinking I would replace it but I never did. I moved and put up black pipe in my new garage.

 

[Disney]

I had it up for years in my old shop. I ran it ouside from the compressor, through the wall, and all around the shop. Never had any issue. So when I got the new place built I used it again. If it blows up I will come back to this thread and let everyone know.

FWIW I regulate at the compressor down to 110psi.

 

[Aerogt01]

The failure of the pipe itself does not make this a safety issue, as all pipes will fail. It is the method of failure.
The pipe itself without warning becomes a bomb. Unlike metal pipes, PVC will not fail safe when it has become brittle.
If you are around for the incident, I only hope for your sake you survive.

 

[finn]

Darwin was right

 

[sublimate]

PVC is illegal for air lines EVERYWHERE (in the USA).

Illegal?
What law says that?

I don't use it, and would never use it, but I' also never heard of a law that makes it illegal.

 

[catch2otwo]

Never had any issue. So when I got the new place built I used it again. If it blows up I will come back to this thread and let everyone know.

I don't know if some of you guys are just trying to put on the tough guy costume for the sake of being tough on the internet but your logic is crazy.

Thats like saying, "Screw it, ill keep running through mine fields. Been doing it without issue for years, so its safe..." You only get one shot at this thing we called life, it can end pretty quick. Hope your pipes never burst.

 

[jlckmj]

I had PVC in my old shop, I installed it in the mid 90's. It worked well but I felt that I was pushing the limit so I tore it out a few months ago. When I was taking it out all I had to do was give it a good rap with a hammer at the fittings and the fittings and the pipe it was glued to just shattered.
Glad it held up as long as it did without injury.

Jim

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Excellent discussion on air piping systems, both metallic and non-metallic...........

http://www.exair.com/en-US/Primary Navigation/Knowledge Base/Air Data/Pages/CompressedAirPiping.aspx

Another good discussion.

http://hydraulicspneumatics.com/200...s/Article/False/6547/TechZone-FluidPowerAcces

Charles

 

[36truck]

The building is not mine just where I work. They say they will replace all the rest of the PVC. There is a mixture of Iron & PVC. Still about 100 feet to get rid of.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Tell the boss to buy a bunch of 3/4" L copper and fittings and some good stay brite 8 solder,start sweating.
A hole lot easier than cutting/threading/threading black pipe together.

 

[Ilikeike]

I had sch40 PVC in our shop for a few years, it didn't have a problem, but if I wanted to install plastic air lines myself I'd use sch80 at least. It just seemed too fragile if it got hit by something. Not to mention if CALOSHA inspected us.
I ripped it all out and plumbed it with 3/4" copper 1/2" drops with ball valves on them.

I've been reading a bit here and see that people are using black pipe, is this like the old blk iron gas pipe ? I've cut threaded and replaced plenty of gas and water lines back in the day and it all has a little rust or corrosion inside, I guess that's why they are all going to plastics for low psi stuff.
I would think its a poor choice for a compressed air system if it's not lined with something,but I'm just guessing.


Copper is so easy to run(almost like cutting/glueing pvc) I don't understand why more garage guys don't use it. We even ran some copper air lines for industrial customers back when I had a real job as a sparky, I remember sweating 2" for an Almond processing plant back in the early 90s, I had never thought of copper air lines before that,and thought what a great idea it was.
Edit: a 3/4" flang and some left over bits of copper/fittings makes a good paper towel holder and towel racks for the garage also.

 

[FullRaceMerc]

I wonder how many have actually experienced a failure vs how many on here use the pvc. I am using it now. I may replace with black pipe later.... maybe..

I have worked in 2 different shops with overhead PVC systems:

• Both had failures that did not involve any contact with the pipe. They just blew without warning. Wicked looking broken pieces. No one was close so no one was hurt.
• One shop was at 150 PSI, the other at 125 psi.
• At the time I thought the heat up high in the shop may have added to the weakening of the pipe, since the bursts were overhead instead of at the drops. In this part of the country it can get pretty hot up there.
• In the first shop we tried replacing sections & swapped to black for the drops down where the people were, but continued to have overhead failures in other areas. Eventually we replaced it all.
• The second shop got type "L" copper.
• These systems were not installed by me, although I wouldn't have known better before the experience. I did install their replacements.

So in my limited personal experience it is 100% of PVC air systems that fail. I would never consider using PVC for air. I don't know why anybody would. It is explosion roulette.

 

[volleyball]

We have all heard of pipe bombs. Probably even seen them on the news. They are always iron pipe instead of pvc. Why is that? It doesn't safely explode.
Maybe those terrorist need to update to pvc.

This monthly thread appears and it never changes anyone opinion.

 

[laser3kw]

actually, I have seen improvised devices made with PVC and other off the shelf items that would rival any of the "old school" methods
never say never

 

[lakeroadster]

We have all heard of pipe bombs. Probably even seen them on the news. They are always iron pipe instead of pvc. Why is that? It doesn't safely explode.
Maybe those terrorist need to update to pvc.

This monthly thread appears and it never changes anyone opinion.

That's because you can't fix stupid, at least not on a website like this.

Some of the posts on here are Darwin Awards in the making. If folks want to do something stupid, fine, have at it. But folks using PVC for compressed air lines should consider your family and friends and the danger you are putting them in.

Maybe a sign needs to be hung by the shop door that states:
"Caution: Owner of this shop puts profit above the safety of family, friends, and workers"

 

[NUTTSGT]

This monthly thread appears and it never changes anyone opinion.

They generally erupt into a ******* match and get locked too.




One thing I did realize while reading this thread, copper air lines might have one unintentional advantage. Atleast around here, if a low life heroin addict breaks in to your shop, he might just steal your air line and leave your tools alone.

 

[volleyball]

But if you don't depressurize the system and he uses your tools to cut the pipe and gets injured, some weeping heart legal person will make sure you are supplying their habit for life. The bright side is that usually isn't too long.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

They generally erupt into a ******* match and get locked too.




One thing I did realize while reading this thread, copper air lines might have one unintentional advantage. Atleast around here, if a low life heroin addict breaks in to your shop, he might just steal your air line and leave your tools alone.

 

[pi_guy]

Illegal?
What law says that?

I don't use it, and would never use it, but I' also never heard of a law that makes it illegal.

https://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

But if you don't depressurize the system and he uses your tools to cut the pipe and gets injured, some weeping heart legal person will make sure you are supplying their habit for life. The bright side is that usually isn't too long.

They do it all the time, more than once I've seen where they cut copper gas lines.

 

[MP&C]

Illegal?
What law says that?

I don't use it, and would never use it, but I' also never heard of a law that makes it illegal.

OSHA regulations dictate what businesses can and can't do, in the interest of employee safety. As seen in this and other threads, the long arm of the "OSHA" law in many cases isn't heeded until someone gets caught, gets turned in, or heaven forbid, an accident takes place. OSHA really has little say over what private individuals do at their residence, hence all the posts you see of "I've never had an issue".

One of my previous employers replaced broken PVC fittings twice before they replaced the air lines with approved plastic. They were a little negligent in areas of employee safety, and IIRC, someone turned them in to OSHA a few years back and some hefty fines and corrective action resulted.

My home shop has 3/4" steel air lines, and I've never had an issue...

 

[James E]

This is exactly the reason I will only use clear 1/4" fish tank air tubing for my compressor lines....

You're going to die in a hellish conflagration, your body pierced and shredded by bits of plastic tubing and goldfish bones.

I like to take the ends off of fluorescent tubes and duct tape the glass tubing together. I usually reinforce the tape joints with nails and ball bearings for that added safety factor.

 

[C96]

I had it up for years in my old shop. I ran it ouside from the compressor, through the wall, and all around the shop. Never had any issue. So when I got the new place built I used it again. If it blows up I will come back to this thread and let everyone know.

FWIW I regulate at the compressor down to 110psi.

Lol… whatever helps you sleep at night…I guess

Wow, it amazes me how some are so nonchalant about the danger of using PVC pipe. Even today with all the information not only just here on this site, but everywhere including the manufactures of the pipe warning people that it is not meant to be used for compressed air lines.

OSHA deems it as a safety violation and forbids the use of it for exposed compressed air lines.

It’s such a shame that some might jeopardize the safety of others even after knowing of its potential dangerous characteristics.

This makes one wonder if this careless attitude reflects the work habits and quality of work being put out by such a shop.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ +1 boggles the mind of normal thinkers.

These stubborn heads will continue to put unneeded taint on PVC industry which is great product for underground sprinkler systems (non freezing climates) or plumbing drains/vents. PVC industry has to expend funds "educating" the Darwins, coordinating efforts with OSHA, or preventing access to the product all together. Crazy fawkking rule could erupt some day that glue not able to be bought easily due to morons wanting PVC pipe and glue for airline systems.

Insurance industry needs to develop whistle blower setup so that unsafe residential installs can be reported. That way OSHA, with no jurisdiction for homeowner's anyway, can concentrate on businesses. Homeowner insurance can be jacked up for rockheads running PVC airline systems. Insurance company could require posting of warning signs, and timetable to remove unsafe PVC airlines. City inspection departments could get involved as well.