Medical Vacuum Systems

Vacuum pumps create negative pressure in a receiver connected to a pipeline reaching terminal units in patient rooms, theatres and intensive care. When an outlet is opened, air and fluids are drawn from the patient into a collection jar at the bedside; only air then continues through the network to the plant.

• Multiple vacuum pumps in duty/standby arrangement.
• Receiver vessel stabilising the vacuum level and limiting continuous pump running.
• Fluid traps and bacterial filters protecting the network and the plant.
• A dedicated vacuum pipeline entirely separate from gas lines.
• An exhaust route discharging to a safe location outside the building.
• Alarm panel monitoring vacuum level and pump status.

• Capacity sized from the number of suction points, department types and a diversity factor.
• Pipe slope and routing that prevent liquid accumulation in branches.
• Exhaust discharge located away from air intakes and windows of occupied areas.
• Accessible filters and traps, since these are frequently serviced items.
• Zone isolation valves permitting partial maintenance.

Vacuum maintenance is less forgiving than other services, because neglect allows fluids or contaminants into the network. A typical programme covers trap inspection and emptying, timely bacterial filter replacement, pump performance and changeover checks, vacuum level verification at the most remote point, and alarm panel testing.

The contents of a vacuum system are treated as potentially contaminated, so protective procedures apply when servicing traps and filters, and no work is carried out on the network without clear isolation and notification of the affected clinical area.