Multi-Gas Piping for Fabrication Facilities

fabrication welder in an orange suit a welding mask and sparks flying

USE CASE

As a large specialty contractor with extensive fabrication, modular construction, and mission‑critical project capabilities, Baker Group depends on stable, high‑quality gas delivery to keep production moving. Reliable infrastructure for compressed air, nitrogen, and argon is essential not only for welding and cutting, but for the precision, consistency, and uptime required across complex industrial and commercial projects.

A modern multi‑gas piping network ensures Baker Group can support demanding workflows, maintain clean fabrication environments, and adapt quickly as project requirements evolve.

CHALLENGE

Baker Group manages complex fabrication and mission‑critical projects where clean, reliable delivery of compressed air, nitrogen, and argon is essential. Legacy steel piping introduced corrosion, particulates, and pressure drops that disrupted workflows, slowed production, and risked reliability across large‑scale operations.

SOLUTION

A modern aluminum piping network was installed with color‑coded lines, modular fittings, and overhead routing. The system provides contamination‑free delivery, flexible layouts, and dependable performance that align with Baker Group’s standards for engineering excellence and scalable construction.

OUTCOME

Baker Group now operates with a cleaner, safer, and more efficient multi‑gas infrastructure. Consistent gas delivery supports welding, cutting, and pneumatic tools across fabrication bays, while modular design reduces downtime and keeps facilities adaptable, client‑ready, and aligned with the demands of mission‑critical projects.

Why Fabricators Rely on Stable Multi‑Gas Infrastructure

Sheet‑metal fabrication depends on clean, reliable delivery of compressed air, nitrogen, and argon to power pneumatic tools, cutting systems, welding stations, and high‑precision forming equipment. The quality and consistency of these gases directly influence weld integrity, edge quality, cut accuracy, tool lifespan, and overall production efficiency.

Traditional steel or threaded pipework can corrode internally, shed particulates, and create pressure inconsistencies — issues that disrupt workflows and limit flexibility. To support evolving layouts and high‑demand production environments, large fabrication operations like Baker Group require aluminum compressed air and multi‑gas piping systems that deliver clean supply, adaptable routing, and long‑term reliability.

Challenges in High-Demand Fabrication Environments

Sheet‑metal fabrication operations face challenges unique to their mixed‑gas environments, making a clean, modular aluminum piping network essential for maintaining uptime and production accuracy. Common issues include:

Contamination and corrosion inside steel or threaded compressed air piping systems
Pressure drops that reduce pneumatic tool performance and affect production speed
Risk of gas cross-contamination when nitrogen and argon systems lack clear differentiation
Heavy, inflexible steel pipe that complicates layout changes or workstation expansion
High downtime associated with welded or threaded gas line repairs
Facility appearance expectations for customer tours or client walkthroughs

Multi-Gas Ready Aluminum Piping Network

A modern, color‑coded aluminum piping system was installed to support Baker Group’s compressed air, nitrogen, and argon requirements across their Des Moines fabrication facility. The installation included 1,500 ft of 50 mm blue aluminum air pipe, 600 ft of 20 mm compressed air drops, and dedicated 25 mm nitrogen and argon lines — all built using lightweight aluminum construction and modular fittings.

Gas Uses:

Compressed air for pneumatic tools, machining, and forming
Nitrogen for cutting tables, shielding gas applications, and inert atmospheres
Argon for precision MIG/TIG welding operations

System Advantages

Modular aluminum air piping and inert-gas lines enable fast installation and clean rerouting
Color-coded multi-gas piping improves safety and visual system identification
No welding, threading, or fusing, reducing installation time and minimizing downtime
Lightweight aluminum materials support overhead installation in fabrication bays
ISO-certified cleanliness ensures contamination-free compressed air line delivery
Scalable, future-ready design supports evolving fabrication cells and equipment layouts
Clean, modern aesthetics suitable for client-facing environments

The system’s overhead routing and modular fittings allow fabrication teams to adjust workstation layouts without reworking heavy steel pipe. Clear visual identification of gas lines reduces risk and simplifies maintenance, creating a cleaner, safer, and more efficient multi‑gas environment for Baker Group’s daily operations.

Multi-Gas Compressed Air Distribution Piping: Baker Group

Industry: Specialty Construction and Engineering
Application: Compressed air, nitrogen & argon distribution for fabrication processes.
Installation: April 2017
Pipe Sizes Installed: 20 mm blue pipe (compressed air), 50 mm blue pipe (compressed air), 25 mm green pipe (nitrogen), 25 mm gray pipe (argon)
Certification: ISO 8573-11
System Benefits: Modular design, multi-gas infrastructure (air, nitrogen and argon), clean facility aesthetics, scalable aluminum network

Setting a New Standard for Clean, Scalable Fabrication Piping

Checkmark in AIRpipe branded blue colors

In large‑scale fabrication and mission‑critical environments, air and gas systems are foundational to production quality and workflow efficiency. Baker Group’s new multi‑gas aluminum piping network delivers clean, flexible, and highly efficient distribution of compressed air, nitrogen, and argon — engineered to reduce downtime, support evolving layouts, and ensure consistent performance across complex projects.
This installation demonstrates how modern aluminum piping and multi‑gas distribution systems enable specialty contractors to accelerate modular construction, maintain reliability in client‑facing facilities, and remain competitive, scalable, and production‑ready for years to come.