What Does a Medical Air Compressor Do?
Medical air compressors power many systems used in medical facilities and medical air plants. Medical air compressors are unlike any other compressor on the market. These compressors are designed to meet the demands presented by the medical industry.
Medical-grade compressors must run nearly continuously and must have measures in place to ensure that they never fail. Above all else, these compressors supply clean air that must never be contaminated. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) dictate that compressed air used for medical air supply must never come into contact with contaminants of any kind. In fact, most medical compressors and vacuum systems require an NFPA 99 certification from a verified certifier before they can be turned on and put into operation.
Medical Air Compressor Uses in Medical Facilities and Medical Air Plants
There are many different uses of medical air compressors within a facility. A few of these include:
- Patient Breathing – Medical air compressors are used to supply clean air to patients under sedation or for those having problems breathing on their own.
- Laboratory Use – Compressors are used to power the equipment that performs blood analyzing, chiropractic tables, mammograms and x-rays, oxygen generation, nitrogen generation, and more.
- Powering Hand-held Medical Tools – Air compressors are also used to power surgical instruments that perform puncturing, drilling, and other surgical applications.
- Air Filtration in the Duct System – Another use of compressors in medical facilities is the use of clean air in filtration and duct systems. All air within medical facilities must be clean and pure.
- Sterilization of Equipment – Compressors can also be used to power cleaning and sterilization systems.
How Clean, Pure Air Is Produced
Medical-grade compressors usually come in the oil-free variety. The reason? Oil-free compressors eliminate contamination by never housing oil within the compressor itself. Rather, a chamber keeps oil separate from the compressor.
Clean and pure air results which then powers applications and assists with patient breathing. While some applications may allow for the use of oil-lubricated and oil-less air compressors, these types will always allow for the possibility of air contamination through the introduction of oil.
It is best to not risk using these types of compressors, and opt for the contamination-free, oil-free variety.
A Few Tips For Your Medical Air Compressor
We have a few tips for you that will ensure that your air compressor stays functional and your medical facility will stay running smoothly.
Perform Regular Service and Maintenance
Compressed air system parts wear down over time. Just like your car, you will need to routinely replace old parts in your system. Keeping up with replacements will ensure that your system stays running.
We would advise that you make sure your maintenance team has schedules created, outlining when they need to service your facility’s compressors. In addition, you can also keep a backup system on standby to step in for any malfunctions that occur from missed maintenance.
Have a Medical Air Compressor Maintenance Crew
That leads us to the next point. Ensure that you have a maintenance crew available! Whether you have a maintenance staff member that has experience with compressors or a dedicated team, you will want someone available to service or maintain your machines.
What if you don’t have a staff member or team dedicated to maintaining and servicing your compressor? In this case, make sure you have a service subscription with a company that services air compressors. Many companies have 24-hour Emergency Service that will ensure your compressor stays running. In fact, JHFOSTER is one such company that offers this service.
Keep in mind that anyone who performs maintenance must be ASSE 6040 certified. This ensures that the person working on your system is doing so up to medical standards. Our technicians are all certified, so if you contact our service techs, you can be assured they know their stuff!
Take Extra Precautions in the Summer
The sun takes its toll on people and compressors alike. In the summer, rising temperatures sometimes cause breakdowns and part wear-outs. Especially, if staff members don’t properly care for the compressed air system.
We have a guide on how to prevent summer breakdowns. However, to summarize what you need to do:
- Home your compressor in a ventilated room
- Perform checkups on your dryer
- Change worn out parts
- Dust electrical components
- Regularly service your compressor
Contact Us
Do you have more questions on medical-grade air compressors? Contact our specialists by email or phone to ask them your questions!