Airline between buildings

[Wombat]

Whats the best way to run airline between two buildings 30m apart? I know people of used blue water pipe then others have said it can shatter.

It will be going through an existing duct so needs to be realtively flexible

 

[Netherfield]

MDPE blue pipe been used extensively around the insides of buildings, never heard of it shattering.

 

[quattro]

First used blue pipe 10 years I even put two pipes in a trench across a yard in case one failed or if I wanted to shove another cable through
never had a problem yet

 

[BuskhillFarm]

I’m wanting to do exactly the same. Move the compressor to other shed so I don’t have to hear it rattling away. I think the blue water pipe should be grand. If it’s good enough for water I’d think air be grand

 

[Zebbedee]

I hear of blue water pipe being used quite often and can’t see a problem but surely there is large nylon airline available as well?

 

[mf7480]

The blue water pipe has to be the way, it’s rated to 180 psi so should be perfectly safe. Fittings are cheap, easy and a massive selection is available. If you use 32mm it will also supply a 30l buffer for every 50m of pipe.

 

[spanners and hammers]

will there be a problem with water condensing in that length of run ?

 

[quattro]

Needs a water trap regardless

 

[KJR]

What fittings do you use? A normal philmac type to bsp?

 

[quattro]

Don’t know if it’s philmac I use
But just std pipe fittings (grey collars I think) and then std tap fittings for air fittings bsp

 

[KJR]

My local hydraulic man was worried that any pulsing might cause the fittings to be blown off, so it's interesting to hear if anyone has had any problems.

 

[quattro]

Can honestly say never had one fitting blown off

 

[KJR]

Can honestly say never had one fitting blown off

Good to know, thanks.

 

[davidroberts30]

My local hydraulic man was worried that any pulsing might cause the fittings to be blown off, so it's interesting to hear if anyone has had any problems.

The pipe is rated to 12 bar

 

[Hilly]

Don’t know if it’s philmac I use
But just std pipe fittings (grey collars I think) and then std tap fittings for air fittings bsp

I think grey collars is plasson , better than philmac imo .

 

[Pedro-glebe]

I have some 20 year old blue pipe still going strong - only problem is where it is in direct sunlight it can go brittle after time

 

[Av Gorritt]

Needs a water trap regardless

Yes , you'll need a water trap and a drain-off cock at the lowest point of the run , otherwise there'll be problems with freezing , or if not freezing , water blowing through your air operated tools , and that aint good .

 

[goldeneagle]

Would have thought the problem with blue MDPE pipe would be UV attack and temperature cycling at pipework downstream of compressor discharge if it’s not running constantly. If you have a decent sized receiver and pipes are inside don’t see the problem.

 

[Lakesdigger]

My local hydraulic man was worried that any pulsing might cause the fittings to be blown off, so it's interesting to hear if anyone has had any problems.

There will be more pulsing effect when mdpe is carrying water than when used as airline as air is easier to compress than water so will actually cushion pulsing more.

 

[tomlad]

On a Garage refurb show on sky , obviously usa , they used to have fits about air line in plastic for it go's brittle and then explodes, but what form of plastic i can't recall. They refitted it all as standard.

I should be running air soon ish so i was wondering same. I have some new black pipe i bought as duct, water pipe prob 25 mm .