Also known as a fill box, EOSC’s are critical should a failure occur to the oxygen bulk system or the pipeline that delivers the oxygen to the facility. It generally consists of an inlet connection, a gauge, a valve, check valves inside the facility and a safety relief valve to prevent excess pressure from damaging equipment. Does your facility need one? - NFPA 99 states that generally, any facility with a bulk system is required to have either an EOSC or an average day’s supply of oxygen that’s piped into the facility. (E-tanks are not acceptable)
Where is your EOSC located? - Is it accessible or covered by bushes & vines?
- Did you recently install a fence that restricts access to it?
- Can a truck get to it?
- Is it locked to prevent tampering?
- Was it ever tested to ensure the check valve was installed correctly?
- Is it labeled as such, and does hospital personnel know where it is?
Having an EOSC in place and ready for service is vital to ensure patient safety in the event of a bulk system failure for whatever reason. Should a failure occur, you should have a procedure in place to deal with who will accept delivery, who will speak with the Respiratory Department until the temporary system arrives, and who will troubleshoot the cause of the system failure.
By: Carmine Yevoli
MGPHO C.M.G.V. |
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