AS 1169-1982

1 - AS 1169-1982 MINIMIZING OF COMBUSTION HAZARDS ARISING FROM MEDICAL USE OF FLAMMABLE ANAESTHETIC AGENTS
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
7 - SECTION 1. SCOPE AND GENERAL
7 - 1.1 SCOPE.
7 - 1.2 APPLICATION.
7 - 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS.
7 - 1.4 DEFINITIONS.
7 - 1.4.1 Flammable anaesthetic agent
7 - 1.4.2 Anaesthetizing location
7 - 1.4.3 Hazardous anaesthetic locations or areas
7 - 1.4.4 Hazardous anaesthetic zone
7 - 1.4.5 Communicating location
7 - 1.4.6 Anaesthetic system
7 - 1.5 COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS OF STATUTORY AUTHORITIES AND OTHER CODES.
7 - 1.6 AREA DESIGNATION.
7 - 1.6.1 General.
8 - 1.6.2 Labelling.
8 - 1.6.3 Lettering and Display of Notices.
10 - SECTION 2. CONSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
10 - 2.1 APPLICATION OF SECTION.
10 - 2.2 ANTISTATIC FLOORING.
10 - 2.2.1 Material and Finish.
10 - 2.2.2 Electrical Resistance.
10 - 2.2.3 Test Apparatus and Procedure.
10 - 2.3 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.
10 - 2.3.1 General.
10 - 2.3.2 Hazardous Anaesthetic Zones.
10 - 2.3.3 Anaesthetizing and Communicating Locations.
10 - 2.3.4 Bulk Storage Rooms.
11 - 2.4 VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING.
11 - 2.4.1 General.
11 - 2.4.2 Ventilation of Anaesthetizing Location Using Flammable Anaesthetic Agents.
11 - 2.4.3 Ventilation of Storage Rooms.
12 - 2.5 VENTILATING EQUIPMENT (Other than Anaesthetic Ventilators) (See also AS 1668).
12 - 2.5.1 Electrical Equipment in Exhaust Duct.
12 - 2.5.2 Fans.
12 - 2.5.3 Heating Unit in Supply Duct.
12 - 2.6 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
12 - 2.7 STORAGE ROOMS.
12 - 2.7.1 Provision of Storage Facilities.
12 - 2.7.2 Constructional Requirements.
12 - 2.8 STORAGE CUPBOARDS.
13 - SECTION 3. EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN HAZARDOUS ANAESTHETIZING LOCATIONS.
13 - 3.1 APPLICATION OF SECTION.
13 - 3.2 CONDUCTIVITY.
13 - 3.3 TEMPERATURE LIMITS.
13 - 3.4 BELT DRIVES.
13 - 3.5 RUBBER AND PLASTICS DEVICES.
13 - 3.6 SHEET MATERIALS.
13 - 3.7 OPERATING TABLES AND TROLLEYS.
13 - 3.8 ANAESTHETIC APPARATUS.
13 - 3.9 CONTAINERS.
13 - 3.10 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
13 - 3.10.1 General.
13 - 3.10.2 Flexible Cords.
13 - 3.10.3 Extra-low Voltage Equipment.
14 - 3.10.4 Intrinsically Safe Equipment.
14 - 3.10.5 Marking.
14 - 3.11 ELECTRICAL TESTS.
14 - 3.11.1 General.
14 - 3.11.2 Rubber and Plastics Products.
14 - 3.11.3 Sheet Materials.
14 - 3.11.4 Fixed and Free-standing Equipment.
14 - 3.11.5 Earthing of Electrical Equipment.
15 - SECTION 4. HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT
15 - 4.1 ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
15 - 4.2 AVAILABILITY OF THIS STANDARD.
15 - 4.3 PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES.
15 - 4.4 SIGNS.
15 - 4.5 STIMULATION OF INTEREST.
15 - 4.6 FREQUENCY OF TESTING.
17 - SECTION 5. STAFF PROCEDURES
17 - 5.1 APPLICATION OF SECTION.
17 - 5.2 CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR.
17 - 5.3 SMOKING AND NAKED FLAMES.
17 - 5.4 EQUIPMENT.
17 - 5.4.1 Suitability of Equipment.
17 - 5.4.2 Electronic and Photographic Equipment.
17 - 5.4.3 Electromedical Equipment.
17 - 5.4.4 Conditioning of Equipment in Anaesthetizing Locations.
17 - 5.4.5 Belt-driven Equipment.
17 - 5.5 SAFE HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE ANAESTHETIC AGENTS.
17 - 5.5.1 General.
17 - 5.5.2 Authorized Persons.
17 - 5.5.3 Location and Quantity of Cylinders and Containers Outside Bulk Store.
18 - 5.5.4 Removal of Flammable Agents.
18 - 5.5.5 Residual Flammable Agents.
18 - 5.5.6 Decanting and Mixing.
18 - 5.6 CLEANING OF ANTISTATIC FLOORS.
19 - SECTION 6. MEDICAL COMPRESSED OXIDIZING GASES
19 - 6.1 GENERAL.
19 - 6.2 STORAGE.
19 - 6.3 OIL AND GREASE.
19 - 6.4 DECANTING AND MIXING.
20 - APPENDIX A - FLAMMABILITY OF INHALATIONAL ANAESTHETICS
21 - APPENDIX B - NATURE OF HAZARDS
21 - B1 GENERAL.
21 - B2 SOURCES OF IGNITION.
21 - B3 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
21 - B4 ELECTROSTATIC SPARK DISCHARGES.
22 - B5 FLAMES AND HOT MATERIALS.
23 - APPENDIX C - INSTALLATION OF ANTISTATIC FLOORING
23 - C1 GENERAL.
23 - C2 METHODS OF ENSURING CONDUCTIVITY.
24 - APPENDIX D - SUMMARY OF PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN IN THE PREPARATION OF A THEATRE OR AREA FOR THE USE OF A FLAMMABLE A
25 - ANNEX - LIST OF REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

Relates to agents which burn or explode when mixed with air, oxygen or nitrous oxide in the concentration range used in medical practice under normal ambient conditions, and applies to hospitals and rooms in industrial premises, dental surgeries and the like where the agents may be used. Includes flammability limits of inhalational anaesthetics, and information on nature of hazards and installation of antistatic flooring.

This standard defines anaesthetizing locations and sets out requirements for minimizing the risk of fire and explosion arising from the medical use of flammable anaesthetic agents.NOTES:1. The prevention of fire and explosion depends not only on physical safeguards incorporated in the building structure and equipment, but also on a constant awareness of the hazards, and the adoption of specific precautions, by all persons concerned. Accordingly, information on the flammability of inhalational anaesthetics (see Appendix A), and on the nature of hazards (see Appendix B), has been included so that medical staff may appreciate the intent of this standard, and thus be better equipped to implement its requirements.2. It is recognized that flammable liquids and gases other than for anaesthetic purposes may be used in theatres for skin preparation, aerosol spray applications or other clinical purposes. In such cases possible sources of ignition must be excluded from the area of application and the immediate surroundings. This standard, however, does not cover such situations, and in these instances reference should be made to Section 9 of AS 3000.

First published as part of AS CZ9-1956.
Second edition 1963.
Revised and redesignated AS 1169-1973.
Withdrawn in part 1973.
Revised and designated AS 1169-1982.