NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY

SAFETY ALERT

 97-3A

OXYGEN REGULATOR WARNING AND RETROFIT INFORMATION

Issued: June 26, 1997

It has been reported to the Division of Fire Safety that certain Life Support Products (LSP) oxygen regulator models L270-020 and L270-050 manufactured by Allied Healthcare Products, Inc. have been associated with fires in six incidents reported over three years. The Division considers this issue to be very important in light of the fact that many fire departments utilize these regulators. It has been determined that the regulator fires reported were the result of contamination (grease, oil or a substance containing hydrocarbons) introduced into the regulators during maintenance or use.

Immediately inspect your regulators carefully for visible contamination and general condition (irrespective of manufacturer). Any regulator not in good condition should be removed from service until it can be reconditioned or replaced.

In order to reduce the risk of a similar event occurring within your device, it is imperative that anyone using medical oxygen equipment, such as oxygen regulators, be aware that the proper maintenance, handling and/or filling procedures must be carefully followed to prevent contamination. A pamphlet entitled “Did You Know. . . Safety with Oxygen Handling Equipment” is enclosed with this Safety Alert. This pamphlet provides vital information regarding safe practices involving the use of oxygen equipment.

To improve the resistance to the kinds of contamination reported in the models of regulators listed above, Allied Healthcare Products, Inc. is providing sintered bronze inlet filters. In light of the safety concern, it is imperative that you change these filters. This filter will replace the filter currently found within the inlet port of these Life Support Products (LSP) regulators. Because of the smaller pore size of the filter, it will improve filtration for the types of contamination reported. While this filter will be helpful, it is by no means fool proof in preventing contamination. Proper adherence to all maintenance and use requirements remains essential.

To obtain your free filters and retrofit kit, please fax the enclosed "Fax Response" to Allied at (888) 216‑4624. (You may also contact Allied Healthcare customer service at (800) 231‑5273 if you have any specific questions regarding this process.) A retrofit kit will be forwarded to you which will include the requested number of filter(s), new label(s), allen wrench, and an instruction sheet necessary to retrofit your existing LSP regulators.

As will be further identified for you in the instruction sheet sent with the kits, replacement of the existing filter is easily accomplished by removing the regulator "T" handle, inlet screw and then the old inlet filter. The new filter is then inserted, followed by the replacement of the inlet screw and "T" handle. A new warning label is then affixed to the regulator next to the nameplate. The process requires about 45 seconds.

Should you have any questions please contact the Allied Healthcare Products response center at (800) 231‑5273 Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM central time. If you wish to have an authorized service center perform the replacement procedure, Allied Healthcare Products, Inc. will provide you with that contact information upon request.

It must be emphasized that proper care in the cleaning and maintenance of all oxygen administering devices, including oxygen regulators, regardless of manufacturer, must be observed at all times.

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