Myths
& FAQs

Truth:

No.

This practice is unsafe. Using compressed air to clean work clothing or work areas can cause significant injury if particles enter the eyes, ears or skin. Even at very low pressures, compressed air can penetrate the skin and cause serious internal injuries.

A safer alternative is to use a vacuum or good old brush and broom to remove dirt and debris.

Truth:

Not necessarily.

By design, variable speed drive compressors operate most efficiently within an optimal speed range.

If the compressor load requirements fall outside of this range, other control options may provide the most efficient solution.

The compressor provider will need to consider the numerous application requirements in order to recommend the most efficient compressed air solution for the job.

Truth:

No! They are not the same.

When looking at air compressor fluids, the term “Synthetic” is often used to describe the base stock.

Because “synthetic” simply means the fluid is not made from a hydrocarbon base stock, it can refer to many different base stocks with widely varying performance characteristics.

Truth:

Maintenance kits and manufacturer proprietary replacement parts and lubricants offer the best overall safety and performance.

They are designed to maintain optimum safety, unit efficiency and reliability.

Generic parts can affect reliability, can affect performance, and may void manufacturer warranties.

Truth:

You install compressed air filtration to improve air quality.

DP gauges/indicators are blockage indicators not air quality indicators.

To ensure your compressed air quality, filter elements should be changed in line with manufacturer’s recommendations, this is usually annually.

For critical applications, a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), or equivalent, should be carried out and results recorded.

Truth:

Atmospheric air typically contains between 0.05mg/m3 and 0.5mg/m3 of oil vapour from sources such as traffic and industrial pollution.

Truth:

All air receivers are subject to at least some of the regulations. In this case, air receivers under 250 bar litres must comply with Regulations 7, 11, 12 and 15 of PSSR 2000 S.I. 128.

Truth:

BS & ISO Standards are best practice guides developed to provide a consistency in design, production, installation, usage, etc. they are not law.

Truth:

At present there are no legislative requirements that govern the specific use of blowguns and there are no restrictions on the type that can or are being used.

More details can be found on BCAS Factsheet 102-1 via www.bcas.org.uk

Truth:

NOTE: There are no legal provisions which restrict or prohibit the use of such a clamping device.

The use of such clamps requires some skill to ensure that the joint made is sufficiently tight to provide a secure fitting once under pressure, but not too loose to cause slippage under pressure.

More details can be found on BCAS Factsheet 103-1 via www.bcas.org.uk

Truth:

Not exactly.
A common misunderstanding is that vacuum can be expressed as a negative pressure. In practice, vacuum performance is normally measured using absolute pressure, expressed as bar(a), whilst compressed air systems are commonly measured using gauge pressure, expressed as bar(g).

In vacuum technology, 0 bar(a) represents a perfect vacuum, whereas 0 bar(g) represents atmospheric pressure.

Understanding this distinction is fundamental to understanding vacuum technology.

Truth:

Different applications require different vacuum levels. Many industrial processes such as packaging, thermoforming and material handling operate effectively at relatively modest vacuum levels.

These applications typically fall within the rough and medium vacuum ranges defined in ISO 3529-1, which form the primary focus of BCAS vacuum activities.

Selecting the appropriate vacuum level is important for achieving efficient and reliable operation.

Truth:

Not always.

Whilst some gauges can be used to indicate both pressure and vacuum, they may not provide the accuracy or measurement range required for a particular application.

Selecting the correct instrument is important to obtain meaningful measurements and assess system performance.

Truth:

Although some products may appear similar, lubricants are formulated to meet the specific requirements of the equipment in which they are used.

Using the incorrect lubricant can affect performance, reliability and maintenance intervals.
Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations when selecting lubricants and fluids.

Truth:

Whilst many sealing materials and jointing methods are used successfully in both compressed air and vacuum systems, the operating conditions are different.

Compressed air systems must prevent air from escaping, whereas vacuum systems must prevent atmospheric air from entering.

Selecting suitable sealing materials and ensuring joints remain leak-tight are important factors in achieving reliable vacuum system performance.

Truth:

Even relatively small leaks can affect vacuum system performance, increase operating costs and extend evacuation times.

Identifying and rectifying leaks is an important part of maintaining an efficient vacuum system.

Truth:

No.

Vacuum systems are often perceived as being safer than compressed air systems because they operate below atmospheric pressure. However, vacuum equipment is subjected to significant forces from the surrounding atmosphere.

Poorly designed or damaged equipment can fail by implosion, and vacuum pumps and associated pipework can operate at elevated temperatures.

Vacuum systems should be operated and maintained with the same care as any other industrial plant.

Truth:

Because vacuum systems operate below atmospheric pressure, they are often perceived as requiring relatively little energy. However, vacuum generation can be energy intensive, particularly where systems are oversized, leaks are present, or deeper vacuum levels are used than the application requires.

As energy costs and environmental considerations become increasingly important, improving the efficiency of vacuum systems is likely to become a greater focus for industry.

If you have an enquiry or question about Compressed air or Vacuum systems, please contact us at technical@bcas.org.uk