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Dental Air Quality - HTM 2022
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The Health Technical
Memorandum 2022 (HTM 2022) Supplement 1
addresses the specific requirements of systems for use in dental surgeries,
clinics and hospitals. It sets out the responsibilities of managers of
healthcare premises and dental surgeries needed to comply with statutory
requirements and to ensure patient safety.
It covers the design, installation, validation, verification, operational
management and maintenance of compressed air and vacuum systems for use in
dental hospitals (including university dental schools), surgeries and
clinics.
The document is
published
for NHS Estates, by Stationary Office and can be ordered (ISBN
0-11-322478-8 ) from:
http://www.tso.co.uk/bookshop/bookstore.asp?FO=1159966&Action=Book&ProductID=0113224788
An
extract of the publication can be viewed by clicking:
here.
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Oxygen
20.9 ± 1.0%
Nitrogen
78.0%
by inference
Carbon dioxide content of medical air < 500 ppm
v/v
Carbon
monoxide content < 5 ppm v/v
Oil content
< 0.5 mg/m3
Water content dew point of -20oC atmospheric
pressure
Particulate content Free
from visible particles in a 75 litre sample
Sulphur dioxide < 1 ppm v/v
Nitric oxide + nitrogen dioxide < 2 ppm
Particulate
content:
-
As a particulate content test is not practicable on all systems,
especially small e.g. single chair, installations. In these cases,
purging of the system at full flow should be sufficient to remove
particulates.
Filtration:
- The air filters should comply with BS7226:1989 and be either medium
filters or grade CA paper element filters, with a 5 mm
particle size removal capacity
- There should be a dust filter downstream of the dryers to remove
particles down to 1 mm
with a DOP penetration of less than 0.03%.
- A filter incorporating an activated charcoal element will remove
odours from the delivered air
- A bacteria filter should be fitted downstream of the dust filter. The
filter should provide particle removal to 0.01μm and a DOP penetration
of less than 0.0001%
Quality
of Air:
- The quality of air should be monitored regularly,
- The air going into the compressor should not be taken near vacuum
units or other possible sources of pollution like vehicle exhaust, etc.
- Replace filter elements regularly.
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Conclusion: |
To achieve dental air quality with the CLEANAIR
range of compressors, it is recommended:
- Use the Compressor with integral
Desiccant Dryer (....SCE) - to
achieve a dew point of -20° atmospheric pressure
- Use a set of On-Line filters after the dryer on the
installation:
- Dust filter - remove particles down to 1 µm
- Soda Lime - Carbon Dioxide removal (< 500 ppm)
- Hopcolite filter:- Carbon Monoxide removal (< 5ppm)
- Activated carbon filter - Oil vapour removal (< 0.003 ppm), Nitric
oxide / Nitrogen dioxide (< 2 ppm) and Sulphur dioxide (< 1 ppm)
- Sterile Filters - Bacteria Removal
Test the quality of the
compressed air on installation, and regularly there after (monthly or
quarterly).
Replace filter elements
regularly (at least once a year).
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