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I've seen this topic discussed quite a bit in these forums, but I need to throw this question out again to the experts. I bought some PVC pipe for a pneumatic project, and being completely new at this, I was ignorant to the different pressure ratings before I bought it. The pipe that I bought is labeled NSF-PW and NSF-DWV. Am I good to go using this pipe or should I stay away from it? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

if you are just making a simple combustion I would say that you would be fine. If your making a pneumatic, than your not fine, unless you are using very low pressure, like 75 p s i and under!! If you can get the pw fittings, then get them, but if you cant, its at your OWN RISK and be careful. I have taken dwv fittings up to 110 p s i with no problem, but thats me, and I am no pro at this, just a noob like you!!!

DWV stands for Drain Waste Vent. NSF is the certifying agency. National Sanitation Foundation. PW stands for Potable Water.

http://www.nsf.org/

PVC is never rated for compressed air, even pipe with a pressure rating on it. The pressure rating is for liquids only. This is due to the failure mode.
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/pvc-is- ... 21334.html

Thank you both for the responses. Another beginner question. How then can I tell if the PVC that I buy is "pressure rated" as I've seen referenced in other posts. I was under the impression that the PW and DWV had something to do with it.

If it has the pressure rating on it (xxx psi) then you're fine.
Matty... Don't say it if you don't know what you're talking about...

gun freak everything I SAID I said from experience, I think I gave him good advise. The difference between pw and dwv is socket size/depth and the thickness of the fitting. pw are pressure rated and dwv are not. I was just asking the same question a week ago and actually did alot of research on it. Unlike a piston valve, lol, I know abot fittings and ratings!!

And like gunfreak said, the pipe will say if its rated in the lettering on it. I know for a fact that CHARLOTTE pipe is rated!!!!

Snick480 wrote:I've seen this topic discussed quite a bit in these forums, but I need to throw this question out again to the experts. I bought some PVC pipe for a pneumatic project, and being completely new at this, I was ignorant to the different pressure ratings before I bought it. The pipe that I bought is labeled NSF-PW and NSF-DWV. Am I good to go using this pipe or should I stay away from it? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Does it say NSF-PW and NSF-DWV on the same piece of pipe? Any pipe labelled with NSF-PW should be fine at 100PSI (assuming diameter 4" or under, temperature 60-90*F). Make sure to use both PVC glue and primer.

Edit: Not all pipe will have a pressure rating, neither will fittings.

This may also help:
http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... sure_rated

Yeah I've used Charlotte pipe with both PW and DWV printed on it but it also had a pressure rating of 330 psi (1.5" sch 40).

All pressure rated pipe is also spec'd as being DWV. Think about it. The dimensions are the same (Sch40), if it works in PW (portable water = pressurized water) it will also work for non-pressure (DWV) applications.

So, any pipe that says NSF-PW will probably also say DWV on it. The presence of "DWV" tells you nothing, only the NSF-PW, and preferable an actual pressure rating in PSI, means anything.

Thanks again to everyone for your help with this!