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 Volume 2, Issue 2 © 2001 Medical Gas Management, LLC |
Main IndexIN THIS ISSUE |
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Medical Gas Management, LLC
Hyperbaric medicine in
healthcare facilities is on the rise. Hyperbaric chambers and
related
equipment purchases bring additional challenges to facility managers in
dealing with the supply of higher than normal pressures of oxygen and
medical air.
Hyperbaric chamber technicians prefer the main line pressure to
be 70 PSIG. Since the main oxygen supply line is set between 50–55
PSIG, we are left with the challenge of finding oxygen at higher
pressure. There are basically two ways to supply both the volume and
pressure requested.
Chapter 19 of NFPA 99, 1999 deals with hyperbaric chambers, and
refers to the source of supply and piping distribution in Chapter 4.
Option 1: Connect a new oxygen supply line after the oxygen
primary regulator. Equip it with a duplexed high-pressure main line
regulator assembly, source valve, main shut off valve, high-pressure
inlet, and a high/low pressure switch connected to the master alarm
panels. You will also need to provide a zone valve outside the treatment
area.
If the clinical staff requires access to the normal line pressure
for ventilators or low flow therapy, you may also be required to pipe the
room just like other patient care areas.
Option 2: Provide new, smaller bulk and reserve supply of oxygen
dedicated to the hyperbaric treatment facility. The system is designed
like the normal supply line.
Caution – when calculating the size of the main line,
remember each chambers use could be as much as 21 SCFM. Line size should
be between 1” and 2” depending on the distance.
Medical Air is also applicable for hyperbaric “air
break” treatments. The normal equipment needs are a high pressure
medical manifold with at least 2 “H” size cylinders on each
bank. Each cylinder contains 250 cubic feet of gas, so this provides a
total of 1000 cubic feet. If the medical air is piped, it also is
required to meet NFPA 99, 1999 and shall include source valve, main
valve, high-low pressure switch, zone valve and area alarm.
For more information on hyperbaric supply systems, call
1-800-732-9035.
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Particulate Matters
Skip
Langley
Particulate matter – the
dirt and debris trapped in medical gas piping and outlets. It reduces
efficiency and causes excess wear on parts and equipment and can
compromise patient safety. As medical gas professionals, how are we to
deal with this problem?
The NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities 1999 edition,
addresses this issue in section 4-3.4.1.2 (a)... Blow Down After
installation of piping, but before installation of station outlets and
other medical gas system components (e.g., pressure-actuating switches
for alarms, manifolds, pressure gauges, or pressure relief valves), the
line shall be blown clear by means of oil-free, dry nitrogen...”
The Standard says in section 4-3.4.1.2.(d)...Piping Purge Test,
“In order to remove particulate matter in the pipelines, a heavy,
intermittent purging of the pipeline shall be done. The appropriate
adapter shall be obtained, and a high-flow purge shall be put on each
outlet. The outlet shall be allowed to flow fully until the purge
produces no discoloration in a white cloth.” (Commonly called the
white cloth test.)
Because these requirements appear in the Installer Performance
Testing section of the Standard, the assumption is almost always that the
blow down and pipe purge test are to be done after all installation is
completed. BUT, that is clearly not the intent nor wording of the
Standard!
If the Blow Down in 4-3.4.1.2.(a) is not done before connecting
the outlets and other components, then all construction debris is forced
into those components and trapped behind the outlet secondary check
valves during the Piping Purge Test of 4-3.4.1.2.(d).
This is usually the heaviest of the construction particulate, and
most will not pass through the check valve during the purge. This heavy
particulate remains in the outlet, causing o-ring damage and leaks, and
being broken down by turbulence and eventually coming out of the outlet
to compromise the patient care equipment or even the patient’s
airway.
It is imperative that all installers comply with the letter of
the code in this matter; and that the certifier, at the very least, does
random inspection behind secondary check valves, and in pressure switches
and gauges, to verify that this problem does not exist.
It is a sign of a careful installer when he or she purges, both
during brazing and during blow downs, away from the outlets and
components...from the smallest to the largest piping.
It should also be noted that volume moves particulate, not just
pressure. Pressure is a tool for increasing volume, but diameter and
time are also factors. Volume and velocity are what moves particulate
matter. Let’s all work to move them AWAY from the patient and the
patient equipment system components.
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MGM to
Host ISO Meeting
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Delegates from: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand Sweden and the US will be hosted by Fred Evans for 5 days of discussions. A variety of topics related to anesthetic and respiratory equipment, medical gas systems design and safety issues are on the agenda.
“It is an honor to have this distinguished delegation visit the MGM offices and Oklahoma City,” says Evans. “I look forward to the challenges presented in the development of international standards and am confident we will accomplish good work in our meetings.”
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What?
How? When? Why?
Need an
answer to a question about your medical gas system? Whether it is code
compliance, a design issue, equipment specification, preventative
maintenance or repairs, we can help. Our experts will answer your
questions in the Facilities Forum column of an upcoming issue of Medical
Gas Matters!
Write us at:
Medical Gas Management, LLC
Facilities Forum
5600 Philip J. Rhoads Avenue
Bethany, OK 73008
Or e-mail your questions to: feedback@mgmusa.com
All submissions become the property of Medical Gas Management, LLC
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Installer's School Schedule 2001
March
28, 29 & 30
May 16, 17 & 18
July 25, 26 & 27
September 19, 20 & 21
November 14, 15 & 16
MGM will offer Medical Gas Installer’s School classes at our
Education Center in Bethany, OK on the dates listed above. Make plans to
attend one of the sessions to become a certified medical gas installer.
To register on line, visit our web site: www.mgmusa.com, or call Jan at
(800) 732-9035.
MGM's Teaching Exhibit demonstrates how a medical gas system should look "Beyond the Walls".
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1. Pressure Gauges and Switches |
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Beyond
The Walls…
Proper maintenance could have saved this facility a
great deal of replacement expense.
MGM was called to service this
medical air compressor and dryer. The liquid ring pumps leaked so badly
that a cardboard shield was installed to prevent the “sprinkler
effect” of leaks from drenching and shorting out other equipment in
the room.
Mixed piping materials, corrosive action of water and minerals,
flux and soft solder contributed large amounts of contamination to
medical air and surgical dental air supplied by this source. Copper
medical air main lines downstream of this unit were damaged beyond repair
and had to be replaced.