N.J. Admin. Code § 8:41-3.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:41-3.6 - Pneumatic testing

(a) All respiratory equipment shall be pneumatically tested by the provider at least once a year and, if required by the manufacturer, at more frequent intervals. Standards for performance of all required and optional respiratory equipment are as follows:

1. Each oxygen system shall be capable of delivering oxygen to a patient at a rate of at least 15 liters per minute during the entire time the patient is aboard the vehicle.

2. Each oxygen system shall have an oxygen flowmeter. Each flowmeter shall have a gauge or dial with a range of at least 0 to 15 liters per minute (lpm) in calibrated increments. The flowmeter on portable systems shall not be gravity dependent. Flowmeters shall be accurate to within 1 lpm when at a setting equal to or less than 5 lpm, 1.5 lpm when at a setting between 6 lpm and 10 lpm and within 2 lpm when at a setting equal to or greater than 11 lpm. Non-dial-type flowmeters shall take at least one full turn to go from 0 to 15 lpm. Indicators on dial-type flowmeters shall be securely seated at each flow rate position. If oxygen administration equipment is carried on the vehicle, there shall be at least four clear non-rebreathing valve inhalation masks (two adult-sized and two pediatric-sized) with oxygen reservoir of the single service type as approved for pre-hospital utilization and four single service cannulas (two adult-sized and two pediatric-sized). If oxygen humidifiers (or nebulizers) are utilized, a new, single service humidifier (or nebulizer) shall be utilized for each patient.

3. Each oxygen cylinder shall:

i. Contain only medical grade oxygen;

ii. Be color-coded green;

iii. Be contained in a U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S.D.O.T.) approved cylinder that has a valid hydrostatic testing date on it, in accordance with U.S.D.O.T. regulations; and

iv. Be tagged ("Full," "In Use," "Empty") or have a pressure indicating gauge attached to the cylinder.

4. Any installed oxygen system shall be capable of safely storing and supplying a minimum of 3,000 liters of medical oxygen. The oxygen cylinder controls shall be accessible from inside the vehicle. Cylinder opening handles or wrenches shall be affixed to, or shall be chained and clipped with, the oxygen cylinder. Any oxygen piping and/or hose shall be nonferrous and shall be suitable for medical oxygen. Any installed oxygen cylinder shall be retained in an oxygen tank holder certified by the manufacturer to comply with AMD Standard 003-Oxygen Tank Retention System.

5. Any portable oxygen system shall be capable of safely storing and supplying 300 liters of medical oxygen. Cylinder opening handles or wrenches shall be chained to the regulator or affixed to the cylinder. All oxygen storage arrangements shall comply with applicable provisions of Federal Specifications for Ambulances, KKK-A-1822, "Portable Oxygen Unit."

6. The portable oxygen system, reserve oxygen cylinder and any portable positive pressure flow-restricted oxygen-powered ventilation devices shall be stored in a crashworthy manner.

(b) Each vehicle shall be equipped with at least one each adult, pediatric and infant sized bag-valve-mask devices.

1. Each bag-valve-mask device shall:

i. Have a self-refilling bag without sponge rubber inside;

ii. The mask shall be constructed of clear material, shall be clean and free of contamination and leaks, shall have an oxygen supply (reservoir) system and shall be capable of providing adequate resuscitation pressures. Bag-valve-mask devices for adult patients shall be capable of deflating/refilling at least 20 times per minute at room temperature and shall have a minimum volume of 1,600 mL. Bag-valve-mask devices for pediatric patients shall be capable of deflating/refilling at least 30 times per minute at room temperature and shall have a minimum volume of 1,000 mL. Bag-valve-mask devices for infant patients shall be capable of deflating/refilling at least 40 times per minute at room temperature and shall have a minimum volume of 450 mL. If transporting neonatal patients, the bag-valve-mask devices for neonatal patients shall be capable of deflating/inflating at least 40 times per minute at room temperature and shall have a minimum volume of 250 mL;

iii. Any bag-valve-mask device that has a "pop off valve" shall have a device to easily defeat the valve; and

iv. Be equipped with a true non-rebreathing valve and have 15/22 mm fittings.

(c) All positive pressure devices shall:

1. Provide 100 percent oxygen;

2. Have an instantaneous flow rate between 35 and 45 liters per minute;

3. Deliver an inspiratory pressure between 55 and 65 cm water pressure; and

4. Have standard 15/22 mm fittings.

(d) Periodic pneumatic testing may be conducted by the provider or by an outside agency. All tests should be conducted in accordance with the Department's pneumatic testing guide, entitled "Pneumatic and Oxygen Delivery Testing Standards." The guide are available for a fee from OEMS.

(e) The results of all pneumatic tests shall be kept on file at the provider's principal place of business.

(f) Pneumatic testing shall be a part of any annual or biennial inspection for the purpose of licensure of a vehicle, and shall be performed prior to the initial licensure of any vehicle. Pneumatic testing may also be a part of any vehicle inspection, at the discretion of Department staff.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:41-3.6