What is instrument air? Instrument air is compressed air which is purified to meet the requirements of the Instrument Society of America and NFPA as an alternative to Nitrogen.

 

What is it used for? Instrument air is used for medical support purposes.

 

What does that mean? Instrument air can be used to operate tools, air driven booms, pendants and other similar applications.

 

Can I tie into my medical air system to supply instrument air to my support equipment? No. Instrument air is prohibited from being interconnected with medical air systems where the air will be intentionally used for human respiration by patients.

 

At What Pressure Does Instrument Air Operate?  Instrument air, much like Nitrogen is at a higher pressure than most other pressurized gases. The minimum allowable pressure required for an instrument air system is 200 PSIG.

 

Do I still need a duplex system even though the instrument air will not be used for human respiration? Yes, however there are two configurations that allow for either an uninterrupted compressor supply or a cylinder back-up supply. A duplex system can be used or a simplex unit as long as there is a standby high pressure header with the required alarm signals.

 

What are the benefits of using instrument air instead of nitrogen? The system manufactures the instrument air onsite, where it is installed and reduces safety risks from handling cylinders or containers needed with nitrogen manifolds.

 

Instrument air is a completely separate and different system than a nitrogen system. The outlets and connections from surgical tools are different. It would most likely be cost prohibitive to change an existing nitrogen system to an instrument air system. If the application is for new construction, then instrument air is something to be considered.

By:

Jay D’Agostino

NITC/ASSE 6020 Medical Gas Inspector