BOC Backfeed Service

The Backfeed Service comprises equipment and an onsite BOC engineer to manage the Backfeed Kit, allowing hospital engineers to concentrate on the important task of managing the shutdown of the medical gas supply, commissioning, QC testing and restoring the main supply

Use of the Backfeed Kit ensures safe and secure medical gas supply by incorporating simple bank changeover and minimising manual handling, with the added benefit of reducing the need for regulators and maintenance.

A variety of methods for connection are available using the Backfeed Kit:

  • Connecting into an Area Valve Service Unit NIST
  • Connecting into a riser NIST
  • Connecting into a medical gas terminal unit.
Please view a video with further information on using the Backfeed Kit.

BOC Backfeed Service

Backfeed into an Area Valve Service Unit via NIST

Connecting into the Area Valve Service Unit via NIST allows the Authorised Person (MGPS) to feed medical gas directly into individual departments or sub-divisions, allowing for local isolation only or to support the wider system.

The additional flexibility of connecting into medical gas terminal units or into a riser NIST provides a range of alternative locations. This minimises the impact on visitors and patients whilst ensuring an adequate and continual supply during your medical gas shutdown.

Backfeed into a riser via NIST

Connecting into a riser NIST allows the Authorised Person (MGPS) to serve multiple departments and locate the Backfeed Kit in a secure environment avoiding busy corridors and ward areas to reduce disruption for patients, visitors, and hospital staff.

The additional flexibility of connecting into medical gas terminal units or into an Area Valve Service Unit NIST provides a range of alternative locations. This minimises the impact on visitors and patients whilst ensuring an adequate and continual supply during your medical gas shutdown.

Backfeed into a medical gas terminal unit

Connection into a medical gas terminal unit enables backfeeding where NISTs are unavailable, inaccessible or the area is unsuitable to locate a Backfeed Kit safely. This also allows the Authorised Person (MGPS) to connect multiple Backfeed Kits in areas requiring high flow rates and capacities, such as ITU, HDU and SCBU.

The additional flexibility of connecting into an Area Valve Service Unit NIST or into a riser NIST provides a range of alternative locations. This minimises the impact on visitors and patients whilst ensuring an adequate and continual supply during your medical gas shutdown.

The features and benefits of the Backfeed Service include:

  • 35% increase in gas capacity* thereby reducing cylinder changeover
  • Improved safety as large cylinders not required in patient areas (ref: EFA/2010/008)
  • All 4 wheels have brakes to securely hold the kit in position
  • Reduced overall weight, 40% lighter* offering manual handling benefits
  • Integral valve cylinders provide safe, low-pressure connection and disconnection
  • Simple changeover from one bank to the other, providing continuity of supply
  • Use of a stable mobile unit removes the need to secure safety chains to the wall.

* relates to medical oxygen, comparing to 2 J size oxygen cylinders

Backfeed Kit Case Study