Aluminum compressed air pipe: Prevost, AIRnet and RapidAir compared

Aluminum pipe has replaced black iron as the default for new compressed air systems. It does not rust, so the air stays clean and the pressure drop stays where it was on day one; it weighs about a third of steel, so one person can hang a 18 ft stick; and the fittings go together with hand tools, so a shop can be piped in a day or two instead of a week. This collection holds every aluminum piping product we sell. The three systems below are the ones we install most, and they are not interchangeable: pick one system and stay with it for the whole building.

The three systems

Prevost PPS is our lead system: the widest size range at the lowest cost per foot, compression joints that can be opened and reused, and the Prevost safety coupler and hose reel line to finish every drop. AIRnet is Atlas Copco's piping, with the same 188 PSI aluminum range plus 304L and 316L stainless pipe for food, pharmaceutical and outdoor runs and a polyamide line for small shops; it is the natural pick when the compressor room is Atlas Copco. RapidAir FastPipe is a rigid blue aluminum system sold in master kits (90 ft with 3 outlets, 235 ft with 5) that make a first install simple, and MaxLine is RapidAir's semi flexible aluminum core tubing that uncoils and bends by hand, which saves fittings in an older building with beams and ducts in the way.

Sizing any aluminum system

Size the main from the compressor's delivered CFM and the length of the run, not from the discharge thread. A 1 inch main handles a 10 to 15 HP compressor over 100 to 200 ft; 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch covers 20 to 40 HP; 2 inch and up is plant air. Loop the main where you can, drop off the top of the pipe, put a drain leg at every low point, and keep 3/4 inch drops for 1/2 inch couplers. The piping plan request turns a sketch of your building into a sized parts list for whichever system you choose, and the bulk order form takes that list in one shot.

Shipping

Pipe sticks of any brand ship LTL freight on a pallet; fittings, outlets, couplers, brackets and MaxLine coils ship UPS. Order fittings ahead if you want to stage the install.

Related

• Prevost aluminum air pipe and fittings
• AIRnet aluminum air pipe
• RapidAir FastPipe and MaxLine tubing
• Air hose quick couplers and plug profiles
• All air pipe and fittings, push to connect fittings and pipe parts and accessories
• Request a piping plan