Skip to main content
All resources
Engineering guide

Planning a medical oxygen system

Medical oxygen is one of the few hospital systems where an interruption is not acceptable. Good planning starts from calculating the expected load, not from choosing a plant.

Calculate the load first

Load is calculated from outlet count per department, expected usage rates and a simultaneous-use factor. Intensive care, theatres and emergency drive the highest demand; wards are less continuous.

Plan for peak rather than average demand, and add headroom for expansion if the facility intends to add beds.

System components

ComponentRole
Generation plantOn-site oxygen production
ManifoldsCylinder-based back-up source
Compressors and vacuumMedical air and central suction
PipelineDelivery to points of use
OutletsConnection point at the bed
Alarms and monitoringWarning on low pressure or fault

Back-up is not optional

Any system needs a second source that takes over when the primary source stops, whether for maintenance or a fault. This is usually a cylinder bank with an automatic changeover manifold, sized for a reasonable run time until the primary source is restored.

Testing and maintenance

  • Pressure and tightness testing before commissioning
  • Gas purity verification at the outlets
  • Testing alarms and changeover points
  • Scheduled service of plant, filters and dryers

ALQASER's oxygen project experience

ALQASER's scope covers PSA generation plants, manifolds, compressors and vacuum systems, copper pipelines and outlets, alarm and monitoring and purity testing, with capacity study, installation and pressure testing. Company records also include historical medical oxygen project experience, among them work associated with Ajdabiya and Ibn Sina — cited as historical experience, not current contracts.

Send your equipment list or tender specification

Send a bill of quantities or technical specification and we will respond with matching specifications and a quotation per line item.

Request a Quote
Get started

Tell us what your facility needs

Send your specification, tender document or equipment list. Our team replies with a structured quotation and a delivery plan.