Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ covers Nardi Compressori from company background and purchasing to compressor selection, breathing air for diving and firefighting, oil-free supplied air for confined-space work, and industrial, CNG, and specialty applications. For deeper technical specifications and certifications, see our Technical FAQ.
Company & Brand
Nardi Compressori Srl is an Italian manufacturer of compressed gas solutions. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza), Italy, the company designs and manufactures high-pressure breathing air compressors, industrial systems, CNG boosters, medical/dental units, and oil-free models, with all production engineered and assembled in Italy. We serve the diving, marine, firefighting, medical, industrial, sports, automotive, and DIY/home workshop markets.
Nardi Compressori manufactures equipment in five major categories: Breathing Air, Oil-Free, Industrial, CNG (compressed natural gas), and Medical/Dental. We engineer, design and build high-pressure breathing air compressors for diving, firefighting, and safety (portable and vertical models); nitrox generators and compressors; medium- and high-pressure industrial compressors and boosters (CM, CB, BM, BON2); CNG compressors and boosters; medical, dental, and CAD-CAM compressors; oil-free compressors (Silverstone, Esprit, Extreme, MultiPower); diving hookahs (Esprit and Extreme); and gas management equipment including fill panels, gas storage, filtration, Gas Guardian air monitoring, and the NC Connect remote monitoring system. We also manufacture the Nardi ONE all-in-one SCBA/SCUBA fill station, and Nardi Safe Fill (NSF) containment fill stations.
Headquarters is located at Via Marco Polo 2, 36075 Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza), Italy, at a 7,000 m² (75,000 sq ft) facility. Founded in 1965 by the Nardi and Ghiotto families, the company remains privately held and family owned. The logo’s “G” honors the Ghiotto founding family. International branches operate in Dubai (established 2019) and Jensen Beach, Florida, home of Nardi Americas (established 2021).
“Compressori” is the Italian word for compressors. The company kept its original Italian name, Nardi Compressori Srl, because it was founded in Italy in 1965 and every product is still designed, machined, and assembled there. The Italian naming reflects the company’s commitment to 100% Made in Italy manufacturing and its all-Italian heritage.
Yes, they are the same company. Nardi Americas is the official branch of Nardi Compressori Srl for the Western Hemisphere. It was established in 2021 and is headquartered in Jensen Beach, Florida. All products are manufactured in Italy. Nardi Americas provides regional sales, service, and technical support.
Nardi offers Italian engineering, compact designs, reliable performance, and a wide range of solutions for diving, industrial, medical, and specialty applications. Nardi does not outsource manufacturing or assembly. All products are manufactured and assembled in Italy. We also provide customer support after the sale.
Nardi is known for compact, lightweight, and efficient compressors that combine reliability with affordability, making them well suited to both professionals and enthusiasts.
No. Nardi Compressori manufactures compressed gas solutions only and is not related to the steering wheel maker. Steering wheels are made by a separate company, Nardi Torino.
No. Nardi Compressori manufactures compressed gas solutions only and is not related to the furniture maker. Garden furniture is made by a separate company, Nardi Outdoor.
Purchasing, Shipping & Returns
Nardi Compressori has a worldwide network of distributors and dealers. Consult the list of authorized dealers to purchase Nardi products.
Nardi Compressori’s headquarters ships products internationally to its network of distributors and dealers. Contact your local reseller to purchase Nardi products. If you cannot locate a dealer in your area, please contact us for assistance.
Nardi Compressori does not publish prices because nearly all of its compressed gas equipment is custom-built to each customer’s specifications. Options like power type, filtration, storage, and other optional equipment all affect pricing and shipping weight.
Contact the reseller or dealer where the equipment was purchased for assistance with returns or exchanges.
Warranty, Service, Parts & Training
All Nardi Compressori products are backed by a manufacturer’s warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. Most products are covered by a 24-month warranty, but there are exceptions.
Contact the dealer or reseller where the equipment was purchased or contact an Authorized Service Center. Authorized technicians are factory-trained to maintain and repair Nardi equipment.
Replacement parts are available through Nardi’s network of resellers and dealers. Service and maintenance kits, including individual parts, are available for purchase worldwide. If a needed part isn’t listed, contact us with the model and serial number of the equipment requiring replacement parts.
Yes. Nardi’s support team provides remote technical assistance, and training sessions can be arranged for dealers and businesses that own Nardi equipment. Contact Nardi for information on training class dates, locations, and curriculum.
User manuals cover basic operations of compressors and other equipment. If you need additional assistance with your Nardi product, please contact the dealership where you purchased your equipment.
Manuals are available through Nardi Compressori. Email Nardi with the model and serial number to request one.
Compressor Basics & Selection
A compressor takes low-pressure gas and compresses it to a higher pressure. A booster increases the pressure of gas that is already partially compressed from a storage bank or other supply source, like a natural gas utility.
Nardi compressors are engineered for air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, argon, and natural gas (CNG), depending on the model. Always check specifications before use.
If you are unclear which compressor line or specific product is best for your needs, get in touch with us. You can complete questions on our Get a Quote page or simply contact us directly for expert guidance.
Yes, most models are available in both frequencies. Be sure to select the correct version for your location when speaking with a representative.
Maintenance typically includes regular oil changes, filter cartridge replacement, and inspection of valves and seals. Service intervals vary by model, and service kits and individual parts are available for purchase.
Filter replacement depends on usage hours, flow rate, working pressure, ambient temperature, and compressor type. Refer to your compressor’s user manual for guidance.
Nardi compressors include safety valves, automatic shutoff controls, pressure monitoring, and thermal overload protection to ensure safe operation.
Yes. Nardi compressors and boosters can be integrated with cascade storage for efficient gas management and filling.
Nardi uses a variety of compressor frame types in its production that include low-noise cabinets. Our compressor sound level ranges from 48 dBA (the Esprit Silenced 5L 60/4 oil-free compressor) to 89 dBA (our Pacific D 35 open-frame diesel compressor). Our largest compressor, the Pacific MX 85, delivers 850 L/min (30 cfm) with its 18.5 kW (25 hp) motor. Its sound level while running is just 68 dBA, which is comparable to a running dishwasher.
High-Pressure Breathing Air: Diving (SCUBA) & Firefighting (SCBA)
Yes. Nardi high-pressure breathing air compressors produce air that meets international breathing air standards, including EN 12021 (the European standard used across most of the world), CGA G-7.1 Grade E (United States), CSA Z180.1 (Canada), and AS/NZS 2299.1 (Australia and New Zealand). Compliance depends on proper maintenance and periodic air quality testing.
CGA Grade E is the breathing air purity specification defined in CGA G-7.1, the Compressed Gas Association’s Commodity Specification for Air, and is the standard commonly required for SCBA and scuba filling in North America. Grade E air must contain 20 to 22% oxygen, with carbon monoxide below 10 ppm, carbon dioxide below 1,000 ppm, condensed oil below 5 mg/m³, and total hydrocarbons below 25 ppm. Europe’s EN 12021 is stricter; properly maintained Nardi compressors meet both standards.
Nardi hookah diving systems deliver air from the surface via hose, eliminating the need for heavy scuba tanks. They are ideal for shallow diving, boat maintenance, and recreational activities.
The Nardi ONE is an all-in-one SCBA/SCUBA cylinder fill station from Nardi Compressori. It combines a high-pressure breathing air compressor, EN 12021 (CGA Grade E) filtration, cascade air storage (two 50-liter, 420 bar / 6000 psi cylinders), a filling panel, and an integrated Nardi Safe Fill (NSF) containment station that fills two cylinders simultaneously, all in one compact, sound-insulated unit. It is third-party tested to NFPA 1900:2024, with air delivery from 500 to 850 L/min (18–30 cfm).
Yes. Nardi Safe Fill (NSF) containment fill stations are tested and certified by an independent laboratory to NFPA 1900:2024, the current edition of the standard, and the Nardi ONE integrated fill station is third-party tested to the same standard. NFPA 1900:2024 consolidated related fire apparatus standards in 2024.
Containment stations protect the operator during high-pressure cylinder filling. SCBA/SCUBA cylinders reach pressures up to 420 bar (6000 psi), and failure risks serious injury or death. Containment stations enclose cylinders in blast-tested structures. NSF stations include a safety interlock that stops filling if the door opens and does not allow filling if the door is not secured.
Depending on the model, certifications may include CE compliance, ATEX Zone II for hazardous environments, and other regional approvals. Containment Fill Stations carry NFPA 1900:2024 certification.
Nardi’s portable diving compressors, such as the Atlantic line, are designed for personal and small-scale use while meeting international breathing air standards. The Atlantic delivers 100 L/min (3.5 cfm) at up to 330 bar (4700 psi). For higher pressure and delivery options, view all our portable compressors here.
Designed and manufactured by Nardi Compressori, Modular Filling Panels are wall-mounted, stainless-steel cylinderfilling stations built from interlocking modules, letting dive centers, fire stations, and commercial diving operations configure the exact fill points a site needs rather than a single fixed setup.
Oil-Free Breathing Air: SAR (Supplied-Air Respirator) & Confined Space Work
A high-pressure compressor fills SCBA or scuba cylinders to 225, 330, or 420 bar, and the user carries a portable, time-limited air supply. Conversely, oil-free compressors outfitted for oil-free supplied-air respirator (SAR) operations deliver continuous air at a low 8 bar (116 psi) directly through an airline hose, tethering the worker to the compressor for as long as it runs. Nardi's Extreme and MultiPower oil-free breathing air compressors handle the SAR role; the Atlantic and Pacific lines handle high-pressure breathing air cylinder filling.
SAR systems are used for confined-space entry, tank and vessel maintenance, abrasive blasting, and spray-painting or coating work; when a job runs longer than a SCBA cylinder supply would last, or when a continuous, monitored airline is safer than a wearable SCBA tank.
Nardi's oil-free breathing air compressors operate at 8 bar (114 psi) and deliver 127 to 750 L/min (4.5–27 cfm) of breathing air, with intake ratings from 350 to 1,800 L/min (12.4–63.6 cfm) depending on model, using storage tanks from 30 to 500 liters.
Oil-free breathing air compressors are generally smaller than most high-pressure compressor systems. Oil-free systems range from 51 kg (112 lb) for a compact, 1.5 kW (2 hp) 50-liter unit up to 295 kg (650 lb) for a 500-liter, 6.6 kW (9 hp) stationary unit. In comparison, our smallest high-pressure electric compressor, the Atlantic P60 weighs 39.5 kg (87 lb), while our largest model, the Pacific MX 85, weighs 620 kg (1367 lb).
No. Oil-free breathing air compressors supply continuous low-pressure air (8 bar or 116 psi) through an airline to a user’s breathing regulator/mask and are not rated to fill high-pressure cylinders. Filling SCBA or scuba cylinders to 225, 330, or 420 bar (up to 6000 psi) requires a dedicated Atlantic or Pacific high-pressure compressor.
Oil-Free, Industrial, CNG & Specialty Applications
Yes. Nardi oil-free compressors deliver clean, oil-free air suitable for painting, construction tools, and DIY projects. Typical pressures run between 8 and 30 bar (116–435 psi).
Nardi CNG boosters allow you to safely top off or transfer natural gas from storage cylinders to vehicles, equipment, or higher-pressure storage banks. Available in six different models, inlet pressures range from 10 to 650 mbar (0.3–9 psi) with a gas flow range of 60 to 450 L/min (2.1–15.9 cfm or 1.0 to 7.5 GGE).
Yes. Nardi offers compact oil-free compressors ideal for hobbyists, painting, woodworking, and other DIY tasks.
Nardi’s Paintball & PCP compressors are purpose-built for paintball and pre-charged pneumatic airgun use, offering high-pressure fills up to 4700 psi. We have over 40 models to choose from.
Our quietest compressor is the oil-free Esprit Silenced 5L 60/4. It runs at 10 bar (145 psi) with an intake range of 105 to 210 L/min (3.7–7.4 cfm) and generates only 48 dBA while running, roughly the sound made by a refrigerator. Our largest compressor, the Pacific MX 85, comes with a sound-insulated cabinet and generates only 68 dBA, which is comparable to a running dishwasher. The MX 85 is a high-pressure compressor that delivers 850 L/min (30 cfm) at up to 420 bar (6000 psi) with its 18.5 kW (25 hp) motor.
