PEX for underground compressed air

crankcase · 09-25-2010, 09:13 AM

Anyone ever run PEX for air line at 90-110PSI? I know it 's not rated for compressed air, but I'm running underground to a seperate building maybe 60' away. I use the cinch style clamps and plan on converting to copper once I am inside the building. It will enter the building by means of a PVC sleeve that was in place before the slab was poured so it will not have and UV exposure.

NHMaster · 09-25-2010, 05:10 PM

Pex is not rated nor approved for compressed air

crankcase · 09-25-2010, 05:39 PM

Aren't radiant heating systems charged with air to check for leaks? or are we just talking a few PSI?

Thurman · 09-25-2010, 07:20 PM

The only radiant floor heating system that I have seen installed and charged to test was in Alaska while visiting family. That was tested at 25 psi for 24 hr. with "0" pressure loss. The concern with PEX would be from any oils within the compressed air attacking the PEX, not the pressure itself actually. I do not have data on this, but would not expose PEX to any petro-chemicals at all.