Oxygen Equipment Instructions

Oxygen Concentrator

General Guidelines

• An oxygen concentrator concentrates the existing oxygen in room air to deliver it at 90% to 95% purity.
• An oxygen concentrator does not reduce the amount of oxygen in the room significantly because of the low amount of oxygen required.
• Post NO SMOKING signs prominently in all areas where oxygen is used or stored.
• Oxygen can only be distributed at the direction/prescription of a licensed physician.

General Placement Instructions

• Plug your oxygen concentrator into a properly grounded & polarized wall outlet.
  • Do not use an extension cord.
  • Do not plug into an outlet controlled by a switch/dimmer.
  • If you are unsure if your outlet is properly grounded/polarized, contact an electrician.
  • Do not remove the ground connector, or file down the plug.
• Do not block any of the air openings of the concentrator. (Some openings are located below the concentrator.)
• Do not place the concentrator on any extremely soft surface, such as a bed, sofa, or blanket.
• Keep at least 3 inches from walls & draperies.
• Do not place the concentrator in a small, enclosed area, such as a closet.
• The concentrator can be placed in a different room if noise is an issue.
• Keep the concentrator away from dirty/dusty areas.

Safety

• Oxygen is nonflammable but supports combustion. All sources of ignition, spark/flame must be kept at least 10’ away.
• NO SMOKING within 10’ of oxygen source including both the concentrator and the nasal cannula/mask.
• Post NO SMOKING signs in your home.

Turning On Your Oxygen Concentrator

• Attach the tubing from your cannula/mask to the oxygen concentrator.
• Switch the concentrator “ON”
  • It is normal for the concentrator to alarm for up to 10 seconds after turning the machine on.
• Adjust the flow rate by turning the flow meter knob to your adjusted LITER FLOW.
  • Liter flow is also referred to as “LPM” or “Liters Per Minute”
  • Your delivery technician will set the liter flow for you initially.
  • Only use the liter flow prescribed by your physician.
  • If you have questions about setting your liter flow, please call our office.

Turning Off Your Oxygen Concentrator

• Remove your nasal cannula/mask.
• Turn the power switch on the concentrator “off”
• You do not need to adjust the liter flow switch.

Maintenance

• Check your liter flow meter periodically to ensure the liter flow is that which you were prescribed. Minor adjustment may be needed.
• Twice a week, clean your intake air filter (sponge-like, usually located on side or back of concentrator).
  • Run it under tap water to remove all dust/dirt/lint.
  • Shake out excess water.
  • Dry with a lint free towel or allow the filter to air-dry. (Some towels can clog the filter.)
  • Replace the intake filter prior to using.
  • DO NOT use the concentrator without the intake filter.

Alarms

• Your concentrator will typically alarm in 2 situations – power failure or equipment mal function.
• Power Failures:
  • First, check all power sources to ensure the concentrator has power.
    • Check the to ensure the concentrator is plugged in. (This is the most common reason for concentrator alarms.)
    • Concentrators use a large amount of power, so tripping breakers/fuses is common. Check your fuse/breaker box.
    • Check other electrical appliances or try plugging the concentrator into a different plug.
  • If there has been a power failure, switch the concentrator to “off” to stop the alarm.
  • Connect yourself to a back-up system until the power problem is resolved.
  • Call our office if the power is not restored within a reasonable length of time. We can provide you with additional emergency oxygen.
• Equipment Malfunctions:
  • Hook yourself up to a back-up system
  • If applicable, check your humidifier bottle to ensure it is attached properly. (See above section on humidifier bottles)
  • Check your tubing to ensure it is not pinched, kinked, or clogged.

Home Fill Compressor

General Guidelines

• A HomeFill unit allows you to use oxygen at home while you fill portable tanks at the same time.
• An oxygen concentrator does not reduce the amount of oxygen in the room significantly because of the low amount of oxygen required.
• Post NO SMOKING signs prominently in all areas where oxygen is used or stored.
• Oxygen can only be distributed at the direction/prescription of a licensed physician.

General Placement Instructions

• Plug your oxygen concentrator and compressor into a properly grounded & polarized wall outlet.
  • Do not use an extension cord.
  • Do not plug into an outlet controlled by a switch/dimmer.
  • If you are unsure if your outlet is properly grounded/polarized, contact an electrician.
  • Do not remove the ground connector, or file down the plug.
• Do not block any of the air openings of the concentrator. (Some openings are located below the concentrator.)
• Do not place the concentrator on any extremely soft surface, such as a bed, sofa, or blanket.
• Keep at least 3 inches from walls & draperies.
• Do not place the concentrator in a small, enclosed area, such as a closet.
• Place the compressor on the rack provided or on a stable surface.
• The concentrator can be placed in a different room if noise is an issue.
• Keep the concentrator away from dirty/dusty areas.

Operating The Compressor

• Connect the compressor to the concentrator by attaching the interconnect hose into the fitting on the concentrator and the compressor.
• Turn concentrator ON.
• Concentrator flow rate must be set to 3 liters per minute or less on a 5 liter concentrator and 5 liters per minute or less on a 10 liter concentrator, while filling tanks.
• Connect cylinder to the compressor.
• Turn power switch to ON position.
• Examine control panel lights to see filling light and full light when cylinder in done filling.
• Remove cylinder.
• Turn power switch on compressor to OFF position.
• Repeat process to fill all tanks.

Safety

• Oxygen is nonflammable, but supports combustion. All sources of ignition, spark/flame must be kept at least 10’ away.
• NO SMOKING within 10’ of oxygen source including application device.
• NO SMOKING signs posted in the house.

Maintenance

• Clean the compressor cabinet with a mild household cleaner and a non-abrasive cloth.
• Twice a week, clean your intake air filter (sponge-like, usually located on side or back) both on the concentrator and the compressor.
  • Run it under tap water to remove all dust/dirt/lint.
  • Shake out excess water.
  • Dry with a lint free towel, or allow the filter to air-dry. (Some towels can actually clog the filter.)
  • Replace the intake filter prior to using.
  • DO NOT use the concentrator without the intake filter.
• Keep your concentrator in good working order. Call our office at any time to arrange for a periodic concentrator check.

Portable Oxygen Cylinder

General Guidelines

• Secure your oxygen cylinder so that it cannot be knocked down.
• Keep all oxygen cylinders at least 5 feet away from any sources of heat. (Radiators, heat ducts, stoves, etc…)
• Store spare/extra cylinders lying down, or in an approved rack.
• Follow securing and storage guidelines for both empty and full cylinders.
• Post NO SMOKING signs prominently in all areas where oxygen is used or stored.

General Instruction

• Adjust the regulator to “off” or “0”
• Remove the plastic wrapper from the valve, which is located on the top of the oxygen cylinder.
  • As a general rule, do not use tanks which do not have the plastic wrapper already in place.
• Place the washer on the valve yoke located on the regulator. (See Figure 1)
• Place the regulator over the valve located on top of the cylinder.
• Align the two indexing pins with the corresponding holes on the cylinder valve. (See Figure 2)
• Tighten the “T” handle firmly. (See Figure 3)
• Using the supplier oxygen wrench, open the valve by turning the wrench counterclockwise.
• If a loud hissing sound occurs, it indicates that oxygen is escaping. Turn the valve “off”, and check the washer alignment, and re-tighten the “T” handle.
• Check the pressure gauge on the regulator. A full tank should read at least 2000 PSI.
• Place the tubing attached to your cannula/mask on the regulator. (See Figure 3)
• Adjust the regulator to your prescribed liters per minute.
• Put your cannula or mask on.

Removing The Regulator

When the pressure gauge on the regulator reads less than 500 PSI, or the indicator is pointing to the RED area, it is time to switch to a new tank, or to your concentrator.

NEVER USE AN OXYGEN TANK CONTAINING LESS THAN 200 PSI; THE LITER FLOW IS REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY.

• Using the oxygen wrench, turn the valve located on top of the oxygen cylinder clockwise until it will turn no further.
• Wait until the pressure gauge drops to zero PSI.
• Adjust your regulator to “off” or “0”
• Loosen the “T” bolt enough to disengage the regulator from the cylinder.
• If you hear a loud hissing sound, use your oxygen wrench to again turn the valve clockwise to ensure the valve is closed.
• Lift the regulator off the oxygen cylinder.

Monitoring Your Oxygen Supply

• Ensure that somebody within your household can monitor the oxygen supply prior to it running out.
• Please give two days notice when ordering delivery of new tanks.
• Depending on demand, our locations have a limited supply of tanks. Please call our store before coming in if you are looking to replace your tank.

Safety

• Oxygen is nonflammable but supports combustion. All sources of ignition, spark/flame must be kept at least 10’ away.
• NO SMOKING within 10’ of oxygen source.
• NO SMOKING signs posted in the house.

If you have any questions, please contract your local office or deliver technician!