Maintenance & Cylinder Regulations, Non-Expiration, Hydro-Test & Tech Specs
Maintenance of oxygen units - (there are no maintenance-use "regulations")
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 !
There are no adjustments to the LIFE® regulator laser drilled orifices. Occasionally the user has over-turned or removed the 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, for which most refillers and we have replacement valve seats. The unit may be turned on to confirm oxygen flowing, with no loud audible leak at regulator/valve connection which may indicate that the regulator screw is not tight or missing replaceable regulator/valve seal.
Although all drugs have had an expiration date indicating efficacy (USA FDA), the
FDA has exempted all medical gases including oxygen from expiration dates, because the medical gases are stable at high pressure. For internal tracking purposes most oxygen refillers continue to apply a lot number stamp indicating a 5 year subsequent "date of expiration", some of which fall off and can be removed or ignored, because the oxygen remains stable for use.
Hydrostatic or ultrasound cylinder test may be required by the refiller when the cylinder is presented for refilling. The refiller is responsible for compliance, not the owner/user. A cylinder continues to be in compliance for use until it is presented to the refiller to be refilled after expiration of the compliance period. (The exceptions are that the DOT and Coast Guard require current compliance for all cylinders in use in interstate transportation and aboard commercial vessels.)
Cylinder regulations require the date of manufacture to be metal-stamped on the shoulder. After expiration of the compliance period following that date, prior to refilling, the refiller must re-test the cylinder and re-stamp the current date.
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: The 1986-2008 LIFE® OxygenPac 566 Liter 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))
LIFE®OxygenPac cylinders contain 566 Liters at 2216 PSI=154 BAR (90 min@ 6LPM)
LIFE®SoftPac cylinders contain 250 Liters at 2015 PSI=139 BAR (40 min@ 6LPM)
LIFE-O2® & LIFE®StartSystem cylinders & contain 113 Liters at 2216 PSI=154 BAR (18 min@ 6LPM)
LIFE® EMS D&E cylinders contain 425 & 680 Liters at 2015 PSI=139 BAR (70 & 113 min@ 6LPM)
We believe that if all the above regulations and guidelines are followed, you could certify with confidence that the emergency oxygen unit is in working condition for use.
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