Hospitals are vital institutions designed to provide comprehensive medical care, from emergency treatment to long-term recovery. Typically structured into specialised departments such as surgery, cardiology, radiology, and intensive care, they function as hubs of both acute and preventative healthcare.
Staffed by multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, technicians, and support personnel, hospitals also play a key role in diagnostics, research and education. Their core purpose is to safeguard public health by delivering timely, efficient and high-quality care, while also acting as critical infrastructure during public health crises or large-scale emergencies.
Risks
There are a number of risks associated with the presence and use of gases in hospitals. Some of which include:
- Anaesthetic Gas Leaks
- Volatile anaesthetic agents like nitrous oxide can leak during surgery, posing long-term health risks to staff and affecting indoor air quality.
- Oxygen-Enriched Environments
- High oxygen levels, especially near ICU and operating theatres, increase the risk of fire and explosion if not properly managed.
- Toxic Gas Exposure
- Cleaning agents, sterilisation chemicals (like ethylene oxide) or lab gases can produce harmful fumes if ventilation fails.
- Gas Cylinder Mishandling
- Improper storage or handling of pressurised medical gases can lead to leaks, explosions or physical injury.
- Carbon Dioxide Accumulation
- In areas with poor ventilation, CO₂ from respiration or certain medical procedures can reach harmful levels, especially in enclosed spaces.
Challenges
Detecting gases in hospital settings presents several challenges. These can include:
- Low Concentration Levels
- Many hazardous gases are harmful even at very low concentrations, making them difficult to detect without highly sensitive equipment.
- Interference from Other Substances
- Hospitals have complex chemical environments; overlapping signals from various cleaning agents, disinfectants or medications can affect gas sensor accuracy.
- Continuous Monitoring Requirements
- Some areas require round-the-clock real-time monitoring, which demands reliable, low-maintenance systems with minimal downtime.
- Sensor Calibration and Maintenance
- Some gas detectors need regular calibration to remain accurate, which can be time-consuming and disruptive in critical care areas.
- Environmental Conditions
- Humidity, temperature fluctuations and airflow can all affect sensor performance, especially in operating theatres or isolation rooms.
Medical Gas Detection
Gas detection in the medical industry involves the use of specialised sensors and monitoring systems designed to identify and measure the presence of various gases, often at very low concentrations. These systems are commonly installed in operating theatres, intensive care units, laboratories, sterilisation rooms, and storage areas for medical gas cylinders. They are capable of detecting a wide range of substances, including oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, volatile anaesthetic agents and potentially toxic gases used in cleaning or sterilisation.
Gas detection in medical environments plays a crucial role in protecting both patients and healthcare workers from exposure to harmful substances. Additionally, maintaining the correct oxygen and CO₂ levels is critical for patient care in respiratory therapy and anaesthesia.
Effective gas detection also ensures compliance with health and safety regulations, supports infection control, and helps to prevent equipment malfunction or contamination caused by undetected gas leaks.
Oxygen Enrichment in Hospital Wards
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals have seen a lasting increase in the use of medical oxygen, particularly in intensive care and respiratory wards. The demand during peak waves forced facilities to adapt quickly, with many now operating in oxygen-enriched environments more regularly than before. While essential for treating patients with severe respiratory issues, elevated oxygen levels continue to raise safety concerns, particularly around the heightened risk of fire and the strain on ageing infrastructure.
To guarantee the safety of both staff and patients, hospitals are turning to advanced gas detection systems like the Oggioni DUST. Perfect for high-risk medical environments, the DUST system uses highly sensitive sensors to provide accurate, real-time monitoring of critical gases such as oxygen and toxic compounds. Its robust construction and dependable performance make it a vital part of hospital safety protocols in today’s demanding healthcare landscape.
Oggioni DUST
The Oggioni DUST range offers a flexible and reliable solution for monitoring a wide array of gases in hospital and laboratory environments. Designed to detect both toxic and inert gases, the system supports various sensor types and configurations, making it suitable for complex medical settings.
Some examples of detectors suited to these environments include:
- OXY-CARB
- Monitors both oxygen and carbon dioxide – detecting O₂ increases with an electrochemical cell and CO₂ levels with an infrared sensor.
- Nitrogen (N₂)
- As an inert gas, nitrogen can displace oxygen; detectors measure potential O₂ decreases using electrochemical sensors.
- Oxygen (O₂)
- Used in pure form at high concentrations in medical wards – monitored for dangerous increases via electrochemical sensors.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
- Detected using infrared sensors, especially in areas with poor ventilation or respiratory treatments.
- Argon (Ar)
- Another inert gas that can reduce ambient oxygen levels – detected indirectly by measuring O₂ decrease.
- Liquid Nitrogen (LN₂)
- Detectors are installed at low heights (0.7m to 1m) to capture heavier-than-air vapours that settle near the floor, signalling dangerous O₂ displacement.
This flexibility ensures that the Oggioni DUST system can be configured to meet the specific gas detection needs of sensitive medical and scientific environments, enhancing safety for both staff and patients.
Explosive gas detectors identify flammable gases like methane or propane. Common types include catalytic bead and infrared sensors, used to prevent fire or explosion risks.
Oxygen detectors use electrochemical sensors to detect rising or falling O₂ levels. When connected via 4–20 mA or RS485, alarms can be set for both risks. With relay-output models, you must choose one.
Toxic gas detectors typically use electrochemical sensors to monitor harmful gases like CO, H₂S, or NH₃. They provide accurate, real-time readings for safety and compliance.
Approvals
Oggioni DUST-AD
The Oggioni DUST-AD range consists of versatile fixed gas detectors designed to monitor toxic, explosive gases and oxygen levels. Suitable for industrial and healthcare settings, these detectors support various sensor types, including electrochemical, catalytic, and infrared (IR), depending on the gas being monitored. Key features include 4–20 mA output, RS-485 MODBUS RTU communication, and three relay contacts for integration with control panels. Housed in a durable IP65-rated enclosure, the DUST-AD provides reliable performance in harsh or sensitive environments.
For optimal safety in medical facilities, gas detectors should be placed in areas with the highest risk of gas exposure. Key locations include operating theatres, ICUs, gas storage rooms, sterilisation areas, laboratories, and near cryogenic gas sources. Placement height varies by gas type.
Oggioni DUST-DY
The Oggioni DUST-DY series is a robust line of fixed gas detectors designed for continuous monitoring of toxic, explosive gases and oxygen levels in various environments, including laboratories and industrial settings. Featuring a clear LCD display, these detectors provide real-time gas concentration readings, allowing personnel to monitor conditions directly on-site.
For optimal results, DUST-DY detectors should be installed in high-risk medical areas such as ICUs, operating theatres, sterilisation rooms, gas storage areas, and laboratories. In labs, placing the DUST-DY at eye level or within clear view, allows staff to easily check real-time readings at any time.
Why Choose Eurofyre?
- Complete System Supplier
- Eurofyre supplies all aspects of fire and gas detection, including the Oggioni gas detection range, and can provide expert advice and consultation.
- Demonstration and Training
- We offer demonstrations and expert training on a range of systems, including Oggioni Gas detection systems, in our very own sophisticated training facility.
- After-Sales Support
- Eurofyre offers both on-site and telephone support to assist you in ensuring that your system is fully functional and operating at maximum efficiency. Our after-sales care and support are second to none.
For more information about Oggioni DUST Gas Detection, or to discuss any of the other products that Eurofyre have to offer, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email to [email protected] or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
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