Medical Vacuum and Compressed Air Sizing Criteria

Sherman Engineering Company serves the regional hospitals

providing technical support and service for all their medical compressed air
and vacuum system needs. As representatives of the Nash Engineering
Company for more than seventy-five Years, we offer our experience and
expertise in application engineering.
The following schedules are sizing guidelines to aid in the sizing and
selection of Nash medical air and vacuum system as packaged by Medical
Air Pumps Inc.
Vacuum Systems
The Vacuum sizings are based on NFPA calculations that have been
substantiated by survey data. This provides the industry with unified basis
for system design. In the system demand curves, each terminal in Group A
or Group B is assumed to require .25 SCFM. Groups differ in the Use
factors applied to the capacity. Additionally, 1.5 SCFM is added to the total
capacity for each operating room.
NFPA does not offer guidelines for Anesthetic gas evacuation or
Laboratory systems. In these cases we recommend adding one terminal
and .33 SCFM to the demand for each location in the system that will be
used for anesthetic gas disposal.
For laboratory vacuum systems we recommend using the laboratory
demand curve to estimate flow. It assumes .5 SCFM per outlet and a
sliding use factor. It is recommended to add capacity for any laboratory
apparatus known to require more than .5 SCFM.

Compressed Air Systems

NFPA does not offer guidelines for medical compressed air usage,
and therefore, we use criteria based on Nash experience. The schedule
assumes one outlet per patient. Additional capacity is not added for
outlets installed for convenience. The total number of outlets for each type
of patient service is multiplied by the SCFM per outlet and use factor. The
sum of these capacities is the total used to size the compressor system.
Do not combine laboratory and medical air systems. They must be served
by separate compressor systems and are not to be interconnected.
For laboratory compressed air systems we recommend using the
laboratory demand curve to estimate flow. It assumes 1 SCFM per outlet
and a sliding use factor. It is recommended to add capacity for any
laboratory apparatus known to require more than this capacity.
 Sherman Engineering Company NFPA Sizing Schedule
ESTIMATED PEAK FLOW REQUIREMENT FOR MEDICAL AIR SYSTEMS
IN A TYPICAL GENERAL HOSPITAL

Design Flow in SCFM

Simultaneous
Per Per Per Per Use Factor SCFM
QTY AIR OUTLET LOCATIONS Unit Room Bed Outlet (%) required

ANESTHETIZING LOCATIONS
Special Surgery 0.50 100% 0
Major Surgery & Orthopedc 0.50 100% 0
Minor Surgery 0.50 75% 0
Emergency Surgery 0.50 50% 0
Radiology 0.50 100% 0
Cardiac Catherization 0.50 100% 0
Ventilators Anesthesia * 3.50 100% 0
Delivery Room 0.50 100% 0
SUBTOTAL 0

ACUTE CARE LOCATIONS

Recovery Room 2.00 25% 0
ICU/CCU & Pediatric ICU 2.00 50% 0
Emergency Room 2.00 10% 0
Neonatal ICU 1.50 75% 0
Dialysis Unit 0.50 10% 0
Recovery Room / O.B. 2.00 25% 0
Ventilators Adult * 3.50 100% 0
Ventilators Infant * 3.00 75% 0
SUBTOTAL 0

SUBACUTE CARE LOCATIONS

Pediatric Croup Tente * 2.00 50% 0
Nursery Full Term & Isolation 0.50 25% 0
Patient Rooms 0.50 10% 0
Exam & Treatment 1.00 10% 0
Pre-Op Holding 1.50 10% 0
Respiratory Care 1.00 50% 0
Pulmonary Function Lab 1.00 50% 0
Birthing & LDRP 1.00 50% 0
SUBTOTAL 0

OTHER
Anesthesia Workroom 1.50 10% 0
Respiratory Care Workroom 1.50 10% 0
Nursery Workroom 1.50 10% 0
Equipment Repair 1.50 10% 0
SUBTOTAL 0

GRAND TOTAL 0

Consider these design sizes for the above system capacity: Duplex OC-2B
Triplex OC-2B
Quadrulex OC-2B

* IMPORTANT: You must consult with Respiratory Therapy personnel concerning the maximum number of
ventilators that could be used at one time and the average flow rates for each ventilator. DO NOT
CALCULATE your total peak requirements without this information.

Contact Sherman Engineering at 215 340-5300

for lattest Information on NFPA requirements.
Duplex Triplex Quadruplex Seal FLow
Map Compressor Motor Capacity Capacity Capacity Once Recirculated
Package Model HP SCFM SCFM SCFM Thru CW Purge
Tank Mounted Packages
OC-2B MD-571 7-1/2 21 42 63 1 1.5 0.5
OC-3B MD-572 10 29 58 87 1.5 2 0.5
OC-4B MD573 15 40 80 120 2 4 0.5
Base Mounted Packages
OC-5B AL-623 20 60 120 180 2.5 5 0.75
OC-6B CD-663 25 78 156 234 3 8 0.75
OC-7B 1251 50 126 252 378 6 18 0.75
OC-8B 1253 75 220 440 660 9 20 0.75
OC-9B 1256 150 450 1350 1350 19 34 0.75
 Sherman Engineering Company NFPA Sizing Schedule
ESTIMATED PEAK FLOW REQUIREMENT FOR MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEMS
IN A TYPICAL GENERAL HOSPITAL

No. Outlets Total Simultaneous

of Per Number Use Factor SCFM
Rms AIR OUTLET LOCATIONS Room of Outlets (%) required
Group A
ANESTHETIZING LOCATIONS
Operating Room 3.00 0.00
Special Surgery & Cardio 3.00 0.00
Major Surgery & Orthopedic 3.00 0.00
Minor Surgery 3.00 0.00
Emergency Surgery 3.00 0.00
Radiology 3.00 0.00
Cardiac Catherization 3.00 0.00
Cystoscopy 3.00 0.00
Special Procedures 3.00 0.00
Other Anesthetizing 3.00 0.00
Delivery Room 3.00 0.00

ACUTE CARE LOCATIONS

Recovery Room 3.00 0.00
Intensive Care Unit 5.00 0.00
Coronary Care Unit 2.00 0.00
Emergency Room 1.00 0.00 System
ER, Major Trauma 3.00 0.00 Demand
Birthing Room 2.00 0.00
Special Procedures 2.00 0.00 SCFM

"A" Terminals SUBTOTAL 0.00 100.00% 0.00

0 Operating Rooms noted above 1.50 0.00
Do the Anesthetizing Locations have waste gas
0 0.33 1.00 0.00
evacuation? 1=yes, 0=No in the Use Factor Column.

Total SCFM 0.00

Group B
ACUTE CARE LOCATIONS
Catheterization Lab 2.00 0.00
Dialysis 0.50 0.00
Surgical Excision 1.00 0.00

SUBACUTE CARE LOCATIONS

Examining Room 1.00 0.00
Nursery 1.00 0.00
Patient Room 1.00 0.00
Respiratory Care 1.00 0.00
Treatment Room 1.00 0.00

OTHER
Autopsy 1.00 0.00
Central Supply 1.00 0.00 System
Equipment Repair 1.00 0.00 Demand
Teaching 1.00 0.00 SCFM

"B" Terminals SUBTOTAL 0.00 100.00% 0.00

Grand Total Capacity of Groups A + B 0.00

Duplex OV-1A
Consider these design sizes for the above system capacity : Triplex OV-1A
Quad OV-1A

Contact Sherman Engineering at 215 340-5300

 for lattest Information on NFPA requirements.
::
Each Pump Duplex Operating Triplex Operating Quadruplex Operating
Map Pump Capacity @ 19"HgV Motor Capacity @ 19"HgV Capacity @ 19"HgV Capacity @ 19"HgV
Package Model SCFM ACFM HP SCFM ACFM SCFM ACFM SCFM ACFM
Tank Mounted Packages
OV-1A MVF-15 5 14 1 5 14 10 27 15 41
OV-3A MHC-25 10 27 2 10 27 20 55 30 82
OV-5A MHF-50 18 49 3 18 49 36 99 54 148
OV-6A MHF-80 26 71 5 26 71 52 142 78 214
OV-7A(f) MHF120 40 110 7.5 40 110 80 219 120 329
OV-7A(c) MHC130 52 142 7.5 52 142 104 285 156 427
Base Mounted Packages
OV-8A SC2 62 170 10 62 170 124 340 186 510
OV-9A SC3 97 266 15 97 266 194 532 291 797
OV-10A SC4 125 342 20 125 342 250 685 375 1027
OV-11A SC5 167 458 25 167 458 334 915 501 1373
OV-12A(l) SC6 202 553 30 202 553 404 1107 606 1660
OV-12A(h) SC6 239 655 40 239 655 478 1310 717 1965
OV-13A SC7 331 907 50 331 907 662 1814 993 2721
Water Usage Water Usage
Map Pump Once Recirculated Map Pump Once Recirculated
Package Model Thru CW Purge Package Model Thru CW Purge
Tank Mounted Packages Base Mounted Packages
OV-1A MVF-15 0.5 1 0.5 OV-8A SC2 3 5 0.5
OV-3A MHC-25 1 1 0.5 OV-9A SC3 3.5 6 0.5
OV-5A MHF-50 1.5 2 0.5 OV-10A SC4 4 7 0.5
OV-6A MHF-80 2 3 0.5 OV-11A SC5 5 8 0.5
OV-7A MHF120 2.5 3 0.5 OV-12A SC6 6 9 0.75
OV-7A MHC130 3 4 0.5 OV-12A SC6 8 11 0.75
OV-13A SC7 8 12 0.75
 Laboratory Demand Laboratory Demand
for Compressed Air for Compressed Air

Weighted Demand (SCFM)

300
Number of Demand
250
Outlets SCFM
200
0 150
100
Consider these design for the
50
above system capacity
0
Duplex OC-2B 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100
Triplex OC-2B
Number of Outlets
Quadruplex OC-2B

* IMPORTANT: Do not combine laboratory and medical air requirements. These two applications must
be served by separate compressor systems which are not interconnected.
For general service in schools and labs, we assume 1 SCFM per outlet times
a use factor shown above to calulate the weighted demand.

Contact Sherman Engineering at 215 340-5300

for latest Information on NFPA requirements.
Duplex Triplex Quadruplex Seal FLow
Map Compressor Motor Capacity Capacity Capacity Once Recirculated
Package Model HP SCFM SCFM SCFM Thru CW Purge
Tank Mounted Packages
OC-2B MD-571 7-1/2 21 42 63 1 1.5 0.5
OC-3B MD-572 10 29 58 87 1.5 2 0.5
OC-4B MD573 15 40 80 120 2 4 0.5
Base Mounted Packages
OC-5B AL-623 20 60 120 180 2.5 5 0.75
OC-6B CD-663 25 78 156 234 3 8 0.75
OC-7B 1251 50 126 252 378 6 18 0.75
OC-8B 1253 75 220 440 660 9 20 0.75
OC-9B 1256 150 450 1350 1350 19 34 0.75
 Laboratory Demand Laboratory Demand
for Vacuum
for Vacuum

Weighted Demand (SCFM)

160
140
Number of Demand 120
Outlets SCFM 100
400 68 80
60
Consider these designs for the 40
above system Capacity: 20
Duplex OV-9A 0
Triplex OV-7A(f) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100
Number of Outlets
Quad OV-6A

Contact Sherman Engineering at 215 340-5300

for latest Information on NFPA requirements.
Each Pump Duplex Operating Triplex Operating Quadruplex Operating
Map Pump Capacity @ 19"HgV Motor Capacity @ 19"HgV Capacity @ 19"HgV Capacity @ 19"HgV
Package Model SCFM ACFM HP SCFM ACFM SCFM ACFM SCFM ACFM
Tank Mounted Packages
OV-1A MVF-15 5 14 1 5 14 10 27 15 41
OV-3A MHC-25 10 27 2 10 27 20 55 30 82
OV-5A MHF-50 18 49 3 18 49 36 99 54 148
OV-6A MHF-80 26 71 5 26 71 52 142 78 214
OV-7A(f) MHF120 40 110 7.5 40 110 80 219 120 329
OV-7A(c) MHC130 52 142 7.5 52 142 104 285 156 427
Base Mounted Packages
OV-8A SC2 62 170 10 62 170 124 340 186 510
OV-9A SC3 97 266 15 97 266 194 532 291 797
OV-10A SC4 125 342 20 125 342 250 685 375 1027
OV-11A SC5 167 458 25 167 458 334 915 501 1373
OV-12A(l) SC6 202 553 30 202 553 404 1107 606 1660
OV-12A(h) SC6 239 655 40 239 655 478 1310 717 1965
OV-13A SC7 331 907 50 331 907 662 1814 993 2721
 Sherman Engineering Company is the Representative for
Medical Air Pumps Inc., the Only Authorized Packager of
The Nash Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps and Compressors
Medical Vacuum Pump Packages
Each Pump Duplex Operating Triplex Operating Seal Flow
Map Pump Pump Capacity @ 19"HgV Motor Capacity @ 19"HgV Capacity @ 19"HgV Once Recirculated
Package Model RPM SCFM ACFM HP SCFM ACFM SCFM ACFM Thru CW Purge
Tank Mounted Base Mounted
OV-1A MHF-15 3500 5 13 1 5 13 9 26 0.5 1 0.5
OV-3A MHC-25 3500 10 28 2 10 28 20 56 1 1 0.5
OV-5A MHF-50 1750 18 49 3 18 49 36 98 1.5 2 0.5
OV-6A MHF-80 1750 26 70 5 26 70 51 140 2 3 0.5
OV-7A MHF-120 1750 40 110 7.5 40 110 80 220 2.5 3 0.5
OV-7A MHF-130 1750 52 142 7.5 52 142 104 284 3 4 0.5
Base Mounted Packages
OV-8A SC-2 1750 62 170 10 62 170 124 340 3 5 0.5
OV-9A SC-3 1170 97 265 15 97 265 193 530 3.5 6 0.5
OV-10A SC-4 1170 124 340 20 124 340 248 680 4 7 0.5
OV-11A SC-5 1170 166 455 25 166 455 332 910 5 8 0.5
OV-12A SC-6 980 201 550 30 201 550 401 1100 6 9 0.5
OV-12A SC-6 1170 237 650 40 237 650 474 1300 8 11 0.5
OV-13A SC-7 890 328 900 50 328 900 657 1800 8 12 0.5

Medical Air Compressor Packages

Duplex Triplex Quadruplex Seal FLow
Map Compressor Motor Capacity Capacity Capacity Once Recirculated
Package Model HP SCFM SCFM SCFM Thru CW Purge
Tank Mounted Packages
OC-2B MD-571 7-1/2 21 42 63 1 1.5 0.5
OC-3B MD-572 10 29 58 87 1.5 2 0.5
OC-4B MD573 15 40 80 120 2 4 0.5
Base Mounted Packages
OC-5B AL-623 20 60 120 180 2.5 5 0.75
OC-6B CD-663 25 78 156 234 3 8 0.75
OC-7B 1251 50 126 252 378 6 18 0.75
OC-8B 1253 75 220 440 660 9 20 0.75
OC-9B 1256 150 450 1350 1350 19 34 0.75
 Laboratory Demand
for Compressed Air
x 800 2.90308999 y

Weighted Demand (SCFM)

300 500 5000 3.69897 0.7848374 131.296331
250
100 37.1257121
200
150
100
50
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100

Number of Outlets

Laboratory Demand
for Vacuum
Weighted Demand (SCFM)

150

100

50

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100

Number of Outlets
 NFPA Vacuum Demand Curve
120.00

100.00

80.00
% Demand

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 10 5 120 13 5 150 16 5 180 195 210 225 240 255 27 0 285 30 0 315 33 0 345 36 0 375 39 0 405 42 0 435 45 0 465 48 0 495

Number
GroupofA Outlets
Group B