FINAL DRAFT prEN 14931

prEN 14931:2006 (E)
B.3.3 Recommendations
Prior to installing a medical device in a hyperbaric chamber:
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ensure that it does not contain any lubricant that is incompatible with an oxygen enriched atmosphere. Where
this is the case, remove all grease from it and lubricate it with a product compatible with pure oxygen and
materials of the device;
ensure that it is not made from an easily combustible material or that it does not convey any flammable
products such as gels or alcohol;
ensure that it does not contain a product which reacts with oxygen enriched atmosphere;
in case of doubt, do not install the medical device in hyperbaric chambers.
B.4 Electricity
B.4.1 Potential hazard
Medical and other electrical devices are a potential source of ignition and this is more of a problem in the
atmosphere of a compressed air pressure chamber where partial pressures of oxygen are raised.
B.4.2 Risk
Sources of ignition such as sparking for any reason or overheating associated:
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with the oxidizer, i.e. the oxygen, with a high partial pressure and percentage in the atmosphere of a chamber
and
with the materials present in the chamber, the latter being rendered more combustible by the presence of this
oxygen,
can cause a fire.
B.4.3 Recommendations
A single fault condition should not lead to a hazard.
Electrical medical devices in a hyperbaric chamber should not cause a risk of ignition. Information regarding this
area is available in NFPA 99.
The manufacturer may consider:
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using low energy (low voltage and low current) devices;
placing the power source of the device outside the chamber;
placing the power switches of the device outside the chamber.
In any doubt, the medical device should not be installed in a hyperbaric chamber.
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