We’ve been down the air leak road before (see our blog Why Are Our Medical Air Compressors Working So Hard?). But we thought this topic is so important it’s worth another go around.
The initial thought might be that it’s just a little air leak and it’s really not a problem. Since there’s usually no time to hunt it down and fix it, sometimes these things get pushed off and ignored.
But air leaks have other residual consequences that you may not consider. Air leaks cause your equipment to work much harder and for longer periods of time at a stretch. This equates to two things; the air leaks are beating the life out of your system and there will definitely be costly consequences to your machines down the road if you don’t take action.
Your preventative maintenance program is based on your equipment running as was calculated by your engineer for the “normal usage” requirements of your facility. Since unintentional loss of air forces the equipment to cycle more frequently, the results can lead to additional maintenance and unscheduled downtime. By default, leaks shorten the life of the compressor package and all other components that must operate when compressed air demand is necessary.
Finding air leaks is not as daunting as it may seem. Start with a squirt bottle of oxygen safe, non-flammable, non-corrosive Advanced Leak Detection Solution. Spray it directly on joints, welds, connections, seams, couplings, outlets, point-of-use devices, regulators, pressure regulators and any other suspected leak spot on your system.
Tag the places where a leak is detected and move on to the next set of fittings and connections. In a short time, you will have identified all of the leaks. Set yourself a schedule and fix them as you can. Once you have a good handle on the fixes, you should begin to see a noticeable difference in how hard your medical air is working.
Keep in mind that Advanced Leak Detection Solution is absolutely oxygen safe, non-flammable and dries clean with no oily or greasy residue. Advanced Leak Detection Solution will not oxidize or corrode pipes, fittings or accessories like soaps do.
If you have any questions or concerns, Contact Us and we’ll do what we can to help. Click here to learn more or purchase Advanced Leak Detection Solution on line.
STAY TUNED . . . We’ll be sending an upcoming blog newsletter with tips on how to locate leaks in your medical vacuum system, too.
