Medical Gases 2007

Medical Gases 2008

There are several agencies involved in the control of manufacturing and safe uses of medical gases. These agencies can be divided into two general groups—those that recommend and those that regulate.

Recommending agencies encourage voluntary compliance with standards. Examples are the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American National Standards Committee (Z-20 Committee).

Regulatory agencies are federal, state and local agencies that enforce the laws controlling the manufacturing and safe use of gases, drugs and devices. Examples are the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Fire Risk

Medical gases are classified as: nonflammable (will not burn), nonflammable but supports combustion, or flammable (will burn readily).

Nonflammable gases: Nitrogen, carbon dioxide and helium

Supports combustion: Oxygen, nitrous oxide, air, nitric oxide and oxygen mixes

Flammable: Cyclopropane, ethylene

***During an emergency, security and maintenance are responsible for turning off the oxygen shut-off valves located throughout the hospital.

Cylinder colors and labels

Cylinders are color coded and labeled to identify their contents. The color of the cylinder must only be used as a guide. Always identify the cylinder contents by reading the label.

DO NOT USE AS CYLINDER WITH A MISSING OR ILLEGIBLE LABEL

Cylinder labels contain the following information:

Cylinder contents

Distributor

Fire Risk

Warnings

There are hazards associated with handling the tanks. The cylinders are under great pressure—usually 2,200 pounds of pressure per square inch (psi). This is almost 70 times more pressure than the typical automobile tire! Because of the tremendous pressure, cylinder tanks should not be dropped or punctured. If the tank is leaking, call CPT immediately.

Storage

Outdoors cylinders must be protected from corrosion and exposure to extreme sun temperature and public tampering.
Indoor cylinders must be stored in a room that is well ventilated, dry, cool and have fire resistant construction. There is a maximum of 12 cylinders that can be stored in a non-rated storage room.
Tanks containing oxygen or oxiding gases must be kept separate from cylinders that contain flammable gases
Stock empty tanks and full cylinders separately
Store cylinders upright (with valves closed) in a cylinder cart or stand or secured to the wall.

Transportation

When transporting cylinders, always keep the cap on the large cylinders
Never drag, slide or drop a cylinder
Never hand carry a cylinder. Always use an approved carrier, cart or handtruck.

Using a cylinder

Identify the cylinder contents by reading the label
Crack the tank to clear the debris
Attach and secure the regulator and check for leaks. Contact CPT immediately if a tank leaks
Open the valve or turn the tank on
Check the tank pressure on the gauge. The cylinder contents should have a pressure more than 500 pounds per square inch (psi). If there is less than 500 psi in the tank, the tank needs to be replaced
Close the valve or turn the tank off when not in use
Turn off the flow rate meter and release the pressure on the gauge

Remember! Cylinder colors are only to be used as a guide!

The actual contents MUST be verified by reading the label!!

Air	Oxygen	Nitrogen
Nitrous	Helium	Carbon Dioxide