Construction and precast concrete
Compressor for construction and precast concrete
380 V electric screw compressors for construction yards, precast concrete plants and mains-powered sites: K, S and M series, to buy or rent. 2-year warranty.
In construction, compressed air does far more than run tools on site. At the contractor's yard, the plant workshop uses it for impact wrenches on machinery, tyre inflation, greasing and blowing out filters. In a precast concrete plant, it cleans and oils the moulds, drives the formwork vibrators and powers the chipping hammers that finish the units. On a site connected to mains power, it feeds breakers, chipping hammers and blow guns. This page covers electric screw compressors on a 380 V three-phase supply: they go in a workshop, in a plant or on a site with its own distribution board.
How much air does a yard or precast plant need?
The method is the same everywhere: list the tools, note their consumption, estimate how many run at once, then add a 20 to 30% margin. Typical consumption, for guidance only:
| Tool | Typical consumption |
|---|---|
| 1" impact wrench (plant, trucks) | ≈ 600 L/min |
| Air grinder | ≈ 450 L/min |
| Chipping hammer | ≈ 300 to 500 L/min |
| Pneumatic breaker | ≈ 1,000 to 1,800 L/min depending on weight |
| Pneumatic formwork vibrator | ≈ 200 to 800 L/min depending on model |
| Release agent sprayer | ≈ 100 to 200 L/min |
| Blow gun, truck tyre inflator, grease pump | ≈ 150 L/min each |
Example 1: a yard workshop. Two 1" impact wrenches (1,200 L/min), a grinder (450), an inflator (150), two blow guns (300) and a grease pump (150) add up to 2,250 L/min if everything runs at once. In a workshop that rarely happens: at around 50% simultaneity you get 1,150 L/min, then 1,500 L/min with a 30% margin.
Example 2: a precast line. Six formwork vibrators at 400 L/min (2,400), three blow guns (450), two sprayers (300) and a chipping hammer (400) add up to 3,550 L/min. During casting the vibrators all run together: count 75% simultaneity, about 2,650 L/min, then 3,300 L/min with a 25% margin. Check your vibrators' consumption on the manufacturer's data sheet.
Which compressor for construction and precast?
The yard workshop
The K 110, an 11 kW 4-in-1 screw compressor, delivers 1.7 m³/min at 8 bar. It covers example 1 and puts compressor, air receiver, refrigerated dryer and filtration on one frame: one machine to set down and plug in. For a larger fleet, the K 150 goes up to 2.2 m³/min at 8 bar.
The precast plant
The S 220 PM, a 22 kW screw compressor with a permanent magnet motor, delivers 3.6 m³/min at 8 bar: it covers example 2. Supplied without receiver or dryer, it pairs with a receiver, the refrigerated dryer for 22 kW and fine filters. On a site working shifts, two machines instead of one keep production going while one is being serviced. For a bigger demand, the S series goes up to 132 kW on quotation, and a compressed air audit measures the plant's real consumption before you choose.
The mains-powered site
The M series mounts the screw compressor on its receiver and on wheels. The M 75 delivers 1.0 m³/min at 10 bar with a 180 L receiver, for 240 kg: enough for chipping hammers, a blow gun and small tools. The M 220 delivers 2.0 m³/min at 12.5 bar on twin receivers of 180 L in total, for a breaker and its companion tools. Both plug into the site distribution board on 380 V three-phase, with a sound level of 68 to 72 ± 2 dB(A).
Rent for the length of the job
A project lasting a few months, a production peak, a new machine on order: our screw compressor rental covers 5.5 to 132 kW, including the S, K and M series. We size the machine from your consumption, servicing is included and there is no commitment: you send the compressor back when the job is done.
What air quality for construction?
Water. In an open yard or on site, moisture in the compressed air condenses in the hoses, rusts the tools and can freeze in winter. A refrigerated dryer solves this: it is built into the K series. On the M series, drain the receiver every day and fit a filter at the outlet.
Moulds. In precast work, blowing out moulds and spraying release agent need dry, filtered air, so that neither water nor marks end up on the visible faces. Our compressors are oil-lubricated: fine filters catch the oil aerosols. Define the air class with our technicians under ISO 8573-1, explained in our air quality guide.
Percussive tools. Breakers and chipping hammers need lubrication: a lubricator fitted only on the line feeding these tools keeps oil away from the moulds.
Installation and maintenance
Cement and sand dust is abrasive. Install the compressor in a separate, ventilated room, sheltered from dust and frost, and check the air filter often. Have an electrician check the supply line and protection before start-up, and read our page on compressor room installation for the layout.
On screw compressors, the first service is due at 500 hours, then every 1,500 hours, with a reminder shown on the controller. Our service kits group the parts by model. Purchased machines carry a 2-year warranty and spare parts stay available for 15 years; on rental, servicing is included.
To price your needs, use the configurator, check the receiver size with the air receiver calculator, then request a quote to buy or rent.
Frequently asked questions — Construction and precast concrete
Which electric compressor for a construction site?
The M series mounts a screw compressor on its air receiver and on wheels. The M 75 delivers 1.0 m³/min at 10 bar for chipping hammers and small tools; the M 220 delivers 2.0 m³/min at 12.5 bar for a breaker and its companion tools. Both need a 380 V three-phase supply from the site distribution board.
Which compressor for a precast concrete plant?
It depends on how many formwork vibrators run together during casting. For a line of about 3,300 L/min, the S 220 PM delivers 3.6 m³/min at 8 bar, paired with a receiver, a dryer and filters. On shifts, two machines avoid downtime during servicing; beyond that, the S series goes up to 132 kW on quotation.
Which compressor for a construction company's yard workshop?
For 1" impact wrenches, a grinder, an inflator, blow guns and a grease pump, the need is often around 1,500 L/min including the margin. The K 110, an 11 kW 4-in-1 screw compressor, delivers 1.7 m³/min at 8 bar with built-in receiver, dryer and filtration. For a larger fleet, the K 150 goes up to 2.2 m³/min.
Can I rent a compressor for the length of a project?
Yes. We rent electric screw compressors from 5.5 to 132 kW, including the S, K and M series. Servicing is included and there is no commitment: you send the machine back when the job is done. We size the compressor from your tools.
What air do I need to blow out and oil precast moulds?
Dry, filtered air, so that no water or marks end up on the visible faces. Our compressors are oil-lubricated: a refrigerated dryer and fine filters remove water and oil aerosols. The air class is defined with our technicians under ISO 8573-1, and percussive tools are lubricated on their own line.
How many pneumatic formwork vibrators can one compressor supply?
The vibrators run together during the pour, so count them at 100 %, then add a 25 % margin. As a guide, four 300 L/min vibrators need about 1,500 L/min, which means an 11 kW screw compressor; eight vibrators of the same size need about 3,000 L/min, which means a 22 kW screw compressor. The full calculation is in our article on pneumatic formwork vibrators.
Which compressor for a plaster spraying machine?
First check whether the machine already has its own compressor. If not, plan on about 1,000 L/min per spray lance, margin included. The M 75, a 7.5 kW mobile screw compressor, is enough for one lance and a blow gun. For two machines on the same site, move up to the M 220.
Which compressor for a 25 kg pneumatic breaker?
A 25 kg breaker often uses between 1,400 and 1,800 L/min, as a guide. With a 25 % margin on 1,600 L/min, aim for 2,000 L/min, or 2 m³/min. The M 220 mobile screw compressor delivers 2.0 m³/min at 12.5 bar and can run a breaker of this class. For a breaker and a chipping hammer at the same time, choose the S 220 PM as a fixed unit.
The recommended models
11kW
K 110Screw compressor 11 kW 4-in-1
Compressor, air receiver, refrigerated dryer and filtration combined on a single frame, at 11 kW.
22kW
S 220 PMScrew compressor 22 kW permanent magnet
Permanent magnet motor, 10 bar: the industrial machine of the range.
22kW
M 220Mobile screw compressor 22 kW
A plug-and-play screw compressor on a tank and wheels, easy to move from one workstation to another.
7.5kW
M 75Mobile screw compressor 7.5 kW
A plug-and-play screw compressor on a tank and wheels, easy to move from one workstation to another.
Other trades
A project, a question?
We answer quickly and quotes are free. Tell us what you run on air and we'll point you to the right model.