Maintenance & Cylinder Regulations, Expiration and Hydro-Test

Maintenance of oxygen units
To be "ready-for-use" the gauge indicator must be close to the green "full" area to have an adequate supply on hand. The unit and mask should be kept clean with soap/water.
Routinely check if the needle is in the green and if the unit is clean !
Routinely turn on the unit to confirm proper oxygen flow, with no loud audible leak at regulator/valve connection, which would indicate that the regulator screw is not tight or missing the regulator/valve seal. (Note: Oxygen continues to flow for a few seconds after turning off.) There are no adjustments to the regulator laser drilled orifices. Occasionally the user has forced the regulator flow-control knob, which requires factory service or replacement of the regulator. Occasionally the on/off valve may leak because a refiller or owner over-closed the valve creating a "footprint" in the valve seat. Most refillers or we have replacement valve seats.

Oxygen "Expiration" - All drugs have an expiration (21 CFR § 201.17) and such expiration must appear on the labeling (§ 211.137) of medical gases including oxygen according to the "Guidance for Industry - GMP Medical Gases - USA FDA CDER May 2003" (currently medical oxygen "expiration" is 5 years, even though it is completely stable at high pressure).

Cylinder "Requalification" - Hydrostatic or Ultrasound Test Requirements (DOT) (49 CFR § 180.209) - An oxygen cylinder continues to be in compliance for use until such time that it is presented to the refiller to be refilled after expiration of the compliance period allowed, whereupon the refiller must requalify/test the cylinder and stamp the current date. (The refiller is responsible for compliance, not the owner/user.)
LIFE®OxygenPac, LIFE®SoftPac, LIFE-O2®, LIFE®StartSystem and LIFE®EMS D & E aluminum cylinders remain in test compliance for use until presented for refill anytime more than 5 years after the manufacture date stamp or subsequent test date stamp.

(Note: From 1986 to 2008 LIFE® OxygenPac steel cylinders are in test compliance for use until presented for refill anytime more than 10 years after the manufacture date and+stamp, or subsequent test date stamp. The  stamp allows the refiller to overfill 10% more than the 2015 PSI stamped filling/service pressure to 2216 PSI=154 BAR (90 min@ 6LPM))

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