Medical vacuum used for dental

  • Saturday, January 16, 2021 4:59 AM
    Message # 9867904

    I came across this during a verification on a dental clinic inside a hospital. They are trying to use the hospital medical vacuum system to run the dental vacuum in two dental procedure rooms.

    1. Is there a code reference disallowing use of med vac for dental?

    2. What flow rate(s) are to be achieved at the dental chair? 

    1 file
  • Monday, January 25, 2021 3:56 PM
    Reply # 10032380 on 9867904
    Al Moon (Administrator)

    WHAT YEAR EDITION OF NFPA 99 - WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK FROM?

  • Wednesday, February 03, 2021 8:06 AM
    Reply # 10058361 on 9867904
    Deleted user

    Here are a few obstacles from 2018 that might prohibit using a medical-surgical system for dental vacuum inlets


    15.3.3.5.1.2   Dental vacuum inlets shall not be interchangeable with any other vacuum inlets, including dental-surgical vacuum.

    5.1.14.1.3* Liquid or debris shall not be introduced into the medical–surgical vacuum or WAGD systems for disposal.


  • Sunday, July 18, 2021 9:54 PM
    Reply # 10760411 on 9867904

    Would it be reasonable to configure the Dental Vacuum piping to the Medical Surgical Vacuum source the same way it is required for a Lab Vacuum piping interconnect with the Medical Surgical Vacuum Source?


    The Lab vacuum piping must connect to the Medical Surgical Vacuum Source directly to the Receiver with it's own Lab Vacuum Source Valve with an Air/Water separator between the source valve and the Lab piping distribution system.

  • Monday, July 19, 2021 7:38 AM
    Reply # 10761179 on 9867904
    Al Moon (Administrator)

    Danger:  Will Robinson 

    ( showing my age on that )


    As a whole (90% +)  dental vacuum systems as category 3 - are of a WET System Design and Function. 


    The hospital medical / surgical as categories 1 and 2 - are of a DRY System Design and Function. 


    I would love to have any letter from any, of the major leading medical vacuum pump packages, approving use of there system, on a combined dental (maybe wet) and a always dry medical / surgical vacuum producer.


    FYI: do not forget for 2018 code to add in the required HEPA Filters for both systems. 

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