High-pressure work needs a compressor, hose system and fittings rated for the required operating pressure. A 400 CFM machine at one pressure is not interchangeable with a 400 CFM machine designed for substantially higher pressure.
Key points
- Pressure class must match the application
- Drilling and testing can require higher pressure
- Hoses and fittings must be pressure-rated
- Do not choose on CFM alone
Higher pressure changes the whole air package
Pressure affects the compressor choice, hose rating, couplings, safety controls and often the application itself. Do not use accessories rated only for ordinary construction-site pressure on a higher-pressure system.
Drilling, pipeline work and specialised testing are examples where higher-pressure equipment may be required. Give the supplier the target working pressure and expected flow at that pressure.
How to specify the job
Start with the equipment or process that will consume the air. Record the number of tools that may run at the same time, each tool's required airflow, and the highest operating pressure. For industrial temporary-air jobs, also note required air quality, duty cycle, connection size and whether the process can tolerate interruption.
Airflow, pressure and operating margin
Compressor capacity is usually described by airflow and pressure. In Australia you will commonly see airflow in CFM or m³/min and pressure in PSI or bar. The compressor must meet both requirements at the point of use. Long hose runs, fittings, filters and simultaneous demand can reduce effective performance, so a practical sizing margin is useful.
What to ask the hire supplier
Machine
Confirm rated free-air delivery, working pressure, fuel or electrical requirements and whether the exact model may vary.
Accessories
Ask about hoses, manifolds, aftercoolers, dryers, filtration, receivers, fittings and any tool-specific accessories.
Logistics
Confirm towing or delivery, access, placement, refuelling, collection, operating hours and any site induction requirements.
Safety
Follow the supplier's risk assessment and operating manual. Verify hose, coupling and accessory pressure ratings.
Use the sizing calculator
If your application is based on pneumatic tools, our calculator can total approximate airflow and suggest a compressor class. It is a planning tool only; final selection should be confirmed against the actual equipment specifications.
Open compressor calculator