The Pneumatics Rules: 120 psi, 60 psi, and What's Legal
The core FRC pneumatic rules every team must follow, including the pressure limits, the COTS requirement, and the list of permitted devices.
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Pressure Limits: The Two Magic Numbers
Two numbers govern every FRC pneumatic system, found in the Game Manual's Robot Construction (R) rules:
- Maximum stored pressure: 120.0 psi (~827 kPa / 8.2 Bar), set by R807. No off-board or pre-pressurized storage is allowed — air comes only from your onboard compressor.
- Maximum working pressure: 60.0 psi (R808), delivered through a single primary adjustable, relieving regulator. You may add more regulators downstream of the primary, but never raise pressure above 60 psi on the working side.
The compressor must stop automatically at ~120 psi or less under controller (roboRIO) control, and a mechanical relief valve is the independent backstop.
Only Permitted, COTS Parts
A central rule (R802): every pneumatic part must be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) — you may not fabricate your own pressure vessels or valves — and rated by its manufacturer for at least 125 psi anywhere in the system, or at least 70 psi if installed strictly downstream of the primary regulator.
Permitted Devices (R804)
The permitted-device list (R804 in the 2026 manual) includes: pressure vent plug valves; pressure relief valves; solenoid valves (1/8 in NPT max port); tubing (1/4 in OD max); pressure transducers, gauges, passive needle valves, manifolds, and fittings; check and quick-exhaust valves; shutoff valves; pressure regulators (60 psi max outlet); pneumatic cylinders and rotary actuators; pneumatic storage tanks; one compliant compressor; debris/water filters; and venturi/vacuum-generating valves.
Compressor and Modification Limits
The compressor flow rate must not exceed 1.1 cfm nominal at 12VDC at any pressure (R806). Pneumatic components generally may not be modified (R803), with narrow exceptions: cutting tubing, integrating wiring/controls, normal assembly and connection, removing mounting pins from cylinders, and labeling.
High-Pressure Circuit Restriction (R809)
The high-pressure side (upstream of the regulator) is restricted by R809 to: the compressor, relief valve, pressure switch, vent plug, gauge, storage tank(s), tubing, transducers, filters, and fittings — and nothing else. Solenoids and cylinders must live downstream of the regulator.
Always Check the Current Manual
Rule numbers and exact wording change yearly. The Pneumatics Manual explicitly says it does not supersede the Game Manual — verify every rule against the current season's Game Manual before competition.
Key takeaways
- Stored pressure max is 120 psi (R807); working pressure max is 60 psi through a single primary adjustable, relieving regulator (R808).
- Only COTS pneumatic parts are legal (R802), rated for 125+ psi anywhere or 70+ psi downstream of the regulator; R804 lists the permitted devices.
- Compressor flow must not exceed 1.1 cfm nominal at 12VDC (R806), and air may come only from the onboard compressor.
- Components generally cannot be modified except for narrow allowances (R803); always re-verify rule numbers against the current Game Manual.
Lesson quiz
RequiredAnswer all 3 questions correctly to complete this lesson.
1.Under FRC rules, what is the maximum allowed stored (main) pressure anywhere in a robot's pneumatic system?
2.What is the maximum working pressure that may be delivered to the pneumatic actuators on an FRC robot?
3.What is the role of the primary pressure regulator in an FRC pneumatic system?
Answer every question to submit.