Pipework and installation
Compressed Air Pipework & Installation Solutions
Design Air, Atlas Copco Premier Distributor in Scotland, designs and installs AIRnet aluminium pipework, ring mains, drops and isolation valves for production sites across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and the Central Belt.
Our engineering team checks flow demand, pressure drop, air quality, condensate routeing and future capacity before installation starts.
20+
Years in Scotland
500+
Sites maintained
24/7
Emergency response
4hr
Average SLA
Energy impact
Pressure drop is the most expensive pipework mistake
Every 1-bar increase at the compressor adds roughly 7% to electricity cost. If pipework is undersized and you compensate by raising setpoint, that overhead runs through every operating hour, usually for years before anyone audits it.
7%
extra electricity per 1 bar of compressor pressure increase. A typical pipework-driven setpoint creep adds 14-21% before anyone notices
Material selection
AIRnet aluminium is usually the advised starting point
Atlas Copco AIRnet is a lightweight aluminium pipework system built for compressed air, vacuum and inert gas distribution. It is fast to install, clean internally and easier to modify than threaded steel.
Material choice still depends on the site. Food, drink and pharmaceutical environments may need stricter hygiene controls.
Steel and stainless steel
When traditional steel and stainless steel make sense
While traditional galvanised steel pipe is strong, it is prone to rust and corrosion over time, which can contaminate your air stream and cause leaks. This is often caused by moisture inherent in the compression process attacking the internal surfaces. For food-grade, pharmaceutical, or other high-purity applications, stainless steel pipework is the premium choice, offering maximum durability and preventing any contamination.
How it works
From first call to commissioned system
1
Site survey
Engineer visits, measures demand, reviews layout and future capacity.
2
Pipework design
Ring main, branches, drops and isolation valves sized to flow.
3
Installation
AIRnet aluminium installed around your shutdown window.
4
Commission
Pressure-tested, documented and handed over with operator notes.
Installation scope
What’s included in a Design Air pipework install
- Site survey and demand reviewFlow demand, pressure drop, future capacity, condensate routeing
- AIRnet ring main and dropsAluminium pipework sized to peak demand, not nominal load
- Isolation valves and drain pointsPlaced so future service work does not need a full plant shutdown
- Filter and dryer connectionsAir quality matched to ISO 8573 class your equipment requires
- Commissioning and handoverPressure-tested, documented, operator notes included
Air treatment
Comprehensive Air Treatment and Accessories
A robust air system is more than just pipes. To ensure the longevity of your pneumatic tools, effective air treatment is required. This includes high-quality fittings, isolation valves, and filtration units to remove particulates and moisture. We supply and install:
- Compressed air pipe fittings and connectors
- Compressed Air Line Pipe drops and outlets
- Regulation and safety valves
- Condensate management systems
Compliance and maintenance
Pipework has to be inspectable after installation
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 cover pressure systems at work and include associated pipework and protective devices. HSE guidance requires a written scheme of examination before qualifying pressure equipment is used.
We place isolation points, drains and access routes so a future Written Scheme of Examination does not expose avoidable gaps.
Engineering outcome
Pipework that’s been thought about
Valves and drops are placed so future service work doesn’t require a full plant shutdown. Every decision is documented in the handover pack.
Real install
A complete compressed air & pipework system for a new Lanarkshire packaging factory
Design Air was appointed to design, specify, supply, install, commission and test a complete new energy-efficient compressed air system for a new packaging factory at Eurocentral in Lanarkshire.
The project was completed on time and to a high standard, with every stage of the pipework and system installation handled by the team at Design Air.
Industries we serve
Compressed air installations across nine Scottish sectors
The installation approach changes by air quality class, washdown risk, production duty and the amount of downtime the site can tolerate.
01
Food & drink
Bottling lines, dairy, soft drinks. Hygienic pipework and condensate control.
02
Manufacturing
Packaging halls, assembly lines, paint shops. Ring mains sized for peak bursts.
03
Pharma & lab
ISO 8573 air quality, breathing air testing, hospital-grade filtration.
04
Whisky distilleries
Highland and Speyside distilleries. PSSR-ready compressed air installations.
05
Engineering & fabrication
Heavy engineering, metalwork, fabrication shops. High-flow tooling networks.
06
Automotive
Bodyshop and assembly compressed air. Leak-tight networks for tool consistency.
07
Aerospace
Prestwick and Scottish aero suppliers. Quality-grade air with full traceability.
08
Plastics
Injection moulding and extrusion. Stable pressure for cycle-time consistency.
09
Oil & gas
Aberdeen energy supply chain. Hazardous-area-aware installations and survey.
Maintenance and leak detection
Pipework Maintenance & Leak Detection
Even the best pipework system requires maintenance. Over time, seals can degrade and leaks can appear. A single, small leak can cost thousands per year in wasted energy. We offer comprehensive maintenance and advanced leak detection services to protect your investment.
Ultrasonic Leak Detection
Using advanced ultrasonic leak detection equipment, our technicians can pinpoint the exact location of air leaks, even those inaudible to the human ear or in noisy manufacturing environments. We can then quantify the loss from each leak, allowing you to prioritise repairs based on the potential energy savings.
Compressed air pipework FAQs
Questions Scottish engineers ask us
What pipework is best for compressed air?
Modular aluminium pipework like Atlas Copco AIRnet is usually the best starting point because it is clean internally, corrosion resistant and easier to modify than threaded steel.
Why does pipe size matter so much?
Pipe size controls air velocity and pressure drop. Undersized bore means the compressor reaches pressure in the receiver while tools still see low pressure at the point of use.
Can PVC pipe be used for compressed air?
No. PVC should not be used for industrial compressed air unless specifically rated for that duty. Compressed air stores energy, so brittle failure is more dangerous than a water leak.
Does new pipework need PSSR consideration?
Yes. PSSR 2000 covers pressure systems at work including associated pipework. Design the layout so vessels and protective devices can be examined under a Written Scheme.
Do you install across the whole of Scotland?
Yes. Design Air is based in Airdrie and installs across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Fife and the wider Central Belt.
Next step
Book a compressed air pipework survey
Tell Design Air what the site needs to run, where pressure is falling, or what equipment is being added. We’ll map the practical route before you commit to an installation.
20+Years in Scotland
500+Sites maintained
24/7Emergency response
4hrAverage SLA