ASTM F1949-22

Standard Specification for Medical Oxygen Delivery Systems for EMS Ground Vehicles

ABSTRACT
This specification covers minimum requirements for primary medical oxygen delivery systems for EMS ground vehicles used in the following applications: (1) the transportation of the sick and injured to or from an appropriate medical facility while basic, advanced, or specialized life support services are being provided, (2) the delivery of interhospital critical transport care, (3) the delivery of nonemergency, medically required, transport services, and (4) the transportation and delivery of personnel and supplies essential for proper care of an emergent patient. This standard establishes criteria to be considered in the performance, specification, purchase, and acceptance testing of EMS ground vehicles. The oxygen delivery system may be either a gaseous oxygen (GOX) system, or a liquid oxygen (LOX) system. Design and installation of the oxygen delivery system shall meet the requirements specified for: (1) capacity, (2) components such as oxygen piping system, flow control device, oxygen outlet, shutoff device, and secondary oxygen outlet, and (3) oxygen compartment. The oxygen system shall conform to the specified performance requirements including: (1) delivery flowrate, (2) delivery pressure, (3) delivery temperature, (4) temperature conditions such as storage temperature, cold soak, and heat soak, (5) electromagnetic interference, and (6) structural integrity against vibration, acceleration load, and shock load (basic design and crash worthiness). Installation requirements for oxygen piping routing and mounting, as well as flaring and bending, are specified. Design, installation, and pressure test requirements for GOX and LOX systems are detailed.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers minimum requirements for primary medical oxygen delivery systems for EMS ground vehicles used in the following applications:  
1.1.1 The transportation of the sick and injured to or from an appropriate medical facility while basic, advanced, or specialized life support services are being provided,  
1.1.2 The delivery of interhospital critical transport care,  
1.1.3 The delivery of nonemergency, medically required transport services, and  
1.1.4 The transportation and delivery of personnel and supplies essential for proper care of an emergent patient.  
1.2 This standard establishes criteria to be considered in the performance, specification, purchase, and acceptance testing of ground vehicles for EMS use.  
1.3 This entire standard should be read before ordering an ambulance in order to be knowledgeable of the types of equipment that are available and their performance requirements. Due to the variety of ambulance equipment or features, some options may be incompatible with all chassis manufacturers' models. Detailed technical information is available from the chassis manufacturers.  
1.4 The sections in this standard appear in the following sequence:    
Section  
Scope  
1  
Referenced Documents  
2  
Terminology  
3  
Significance and Use  
4  
Design Requirements  
5  
Performance Requirements  
6  
Installation Requirements  
7  
GOX System Design Requirements  
8  
GOX System Installation Requirements  
9  
GOX System Test Requirements  
10    
LOX System Design Requirements  
11    
LOX System Installation Requirements  
12    
LOX System Test Requirements  
13    
Keywords  
14  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-2022
• ICS: 11.040.10 - Anaesthetic, respiratory and reanimation equipment
• Technical Committee: F30 - Emergency Medical Services
• Drafting Committee: F30.01 - EMS Equipment

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F1177-02(2009) - Standard Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Services (Withdrawn 2018)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Refers: ASTM F1177-02 - Standard Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Services
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Refers: ASTM F1177-96a - Standard Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Services
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996

Overview

ASTM F1949-22: Standard Specification for Medical Oxygen Delivery Systems for EMS Ground Vehicles is a critical standard developed by ASTM International to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficacy of medical oxygen systems installed in ambulances and other emergency medical services (EMS) ground vehicles. This specification outlines minimum requirements for the design, performance, installation, and acceptance testing of both gaseous and liquid oxygen delivery systems used during patient transport-including emergencies, interhospital transfers, and nonemergency medical transport.

ASTM F1949-22 establishes comprehensive criteria to promote uniformity and best practice in EMS vehicle oxygen systems, guiding manufacturers, purchasers, and regulatory bodies on crucial aspects such as capacity, safety, reliability, and operational functionality.

Key Topics

• System Types
  • Gaseous Oxygen (GOX) and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) systems
• Design Requirements
  • Minimum system capacity and mandated components (oxygen piping system, flow control devices, outlets, shutoff and relief devices, and oxygen compartment)
  • Material standards and proper routing for oxygen piping to prevent leaks, corrosion, and mechanical failure
• Performance Criteria
  • Minimum flow rate per patient (ensuring consistent delivery in various operational scenarios)
  • Delivery pressure and temperature limits to guarantee safe, effective oxygen therapy
  • Withstand temperature fluctuations, vibration, acceleration, and shock loads
  • Resistance to electromagnetic interference
• Installation and Testing
  • Specific piping installation, mounting, and protection against vibration or chafing
  • Required positions for outlets and user interfaces to ensure operational ease for EMS personnel
  • Rigorous leak testing and labeling post-installation
• System Safety
  • Compartment venting and separation from electrical components
  • Alarm and indicator systems for low oxygen levels and pressure monitoring

Applications

ASTM F1949-22 is widely applicable in the following contexts:

• Ambulance Manufacturing
  • Essential for OEMs and upfitters of EMS vehicles required to install compliant oxygen delivery systems that support basic, advanced, and specialized life support services.
• EMS Agency Procurement
  • Guides decision-makers in specifying, purchasing, and inspecting ambulances and support vehicles to ensure readiness across emergency and non-emergency scenarios.
• Maintenance and Safety Inspections
  • Used by service providers and inspection authorities to verify the continued compliance of installed medical oxygen systems with technical, performance, and safety requirements.
• Critical Care Transport
  • Supports interhospital and long-distance transport where reliable oxygen delivery is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Regulatory Compliance
  • Provides a clear benchmark for local, national, and international entities setting standards for EMS equipment.

Related Standards

Organizations and professionals may consult the following related documents to ensure full compliance and integration with ASTM F1949-22:

• ASME B31.3 - Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping (reference for safe design and installation of piping)
• CGA E-7 - Standard for Medical Gas Regulators and Flowmeters (for safe operation and identification)
• CGA S-1.1 - Pressure Relief Device Standards for Compressed Gases
• MIL-STD-461 - Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Emissions and Susceptibility
• Federal RR-C-901 - Cylinders, Compressed Gas: General Specification (for cylinder requirements)
• MS 33584, MS 33611 - Standards for flared tubing and bend radii
• Terminology F1177 - Related EMS equipment terminology

Conclusion

Implementing ASTM F1949-22 in EMS ground vehicles ensures medical oxygen systems deliver safe, reliable, and effective care during patient transport. Compliance with this standard supports best practices in vehicle design, procurement, and ongoing operation-directly contributing to enhanced patient safety and system reliability in emergency medical situations. For further technical details and to ensure full compliance, stakeholders should consult the full text of this standard and applicable related standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F1949 −22
Standard Specification for
Medical Oxygen Delivery Systems for EMS Ground
Vehicles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1949; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Within the United States, there are several widely recognized national and international standards
organizations that have established standards and guidelines for oxygen delivery systems. These
standards and guidelines were largely developed for intrafacility use. This standard, developed by
ASTM Subcommittee F30.01, addresses the requirements for oxygen systems, both liquid and
gaseous, for emergency medical services (EMS) ground vehicles.
1. Scope
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
1.1 This standard covers minimum requirements for pri-
Significance and Use 4
mary medical oxygen delivery systems for EMS ground Design Requirements 5
Performance Requirements 6
vehicles used in the following applications:
Installation Requirements 7
1.1.1 Thetransportationofthesickandinjuredtoorfroman
GOX System Design Requirements 8
appropriate medical facility while basic, advanced, or special- GOX System Installation Requirements 9
GOX System Test Requirements 10
ized life support services are being provided,
LOX System Design Requirements 11
1.1.2 The delivery of interhospital critical transport care,
LOX System Installation Requirements 12
LOX System Test Requirements 13
1.1.3 The delivery of nonemergency, medically required
Keywords 14
transport services, and
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.1.4 The transportation and delivery of personnel and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
supplies essential for proper care of an emergent patient.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This standard establishes criteria to be considered in the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
performance,specification,purchase,andacceptancetestingof
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ground vehicles for EMS use.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 This entire standard should be read before ordering an
2. Referenced Documents
ambulance in order to be knowledgeable of the types of
equipment that are available and their performance require- 2.1 The following documents, of the issue currently in
ments. Due to the variety of ambulance equipment or features, effect, form a part of this standard to the extent specified
some options may be incompatible with all chassis manufac- herein.
turers’ models. Detailed technical information is available 2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
from the chassis manufacturers.
F1177Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Ser-
1.4 The sections in this standard appear in the following
vices (Withdrawn 2018)
sequence: 2.3 Military Standards:
MIL-STD-461Requirements for the Control of Electromag-
Section
Scope 1
netic Interference Emissions and Susceptibility
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F30 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Emergency Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F30.01 on EMS Equipment. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved March 15, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F1949–99 (2013), www.astm.org.
which was withdrawn January 2022 and reinstated in March 2022. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from Standardization Document Order Desk, 700 Robbins Ave.,
F1949-22. Building #4, Section D, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1949−22
MS 33584Standard Dimensions for Flared Tubing End 5. Design Requirements
MS 33611End Bend Radii
5.1 The medical oxygen delivery system may be either a
2.4 Federal Specifications:
gaseous oxygen (GOX) system or a liquid oxygen (LOX)
RR-C-901Cylinders,CompressedGas:HighPressure,Steel
system.
DOT3AA, and Aluminum Applications, General Specifi-
5.2 The oxygen delivery system shall be a piped oxygen
cation for
system designed and installed as follows:
2.5 ASME Standard:
5.2.1 Capacity—The oxygen system shall be capable of
B31.3Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping
storing and supplying a minimum of 3000 L of gaseous
2.6 CGA Standards: medical oxygen.
E-7Standard for Medical Gas Regulators and Flowmeters
5.2.2 Components—All oxygen delivery system compo-
V-1Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Outlet and Inlet Con-
nents shall be approved by the manufacturer of the component
nections
for the intended service. The system shall include the follow-
S-1.1Pressure Relief Device Standards Part 1—Cylinders
ing:
for Compressed Gases
5.2.2.1 Oxygen Piping System,designedandsizedtodeliver
the required flow rates at the utilization pressures. Piping and
3. Terminology
tubing shall be of non-ferrous or corrosion-resistant steel
material and shall comply with the design requirements of
3.1 Definitions—Specific terms used throughout this speci-
ASME B31.3. Hose shall be electrically conductive and
ficationaredefinedin3.2.Otherapplicabletermsarecontained
approved by the manufacturer for oxygen service at the
in Terminology F1177.
pressure and temperatures the hose will be subjected to in
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
service. Fittings shall be of non-ferrous or corrosion-resistant
3.2.1 design operating pressure, n—the nominal pressure at
steelmaterialandshallcomplywiththedesignrequirementsof
which the oxygen equipment or container is designed to
ASME B31.3. Cast fittings shall not be used.
operate during normal use.
5.2.2.2 Flow Control Device, of a pressure-compensated
3.2.2 LOX container, n—a vessel used to store or transport
type that includes a means to display and monitor delivered
liquid oxygen.
flow rate. It shall be continuously adjustable over a minimum
3.2.3 maximum allowable working pressure, n—the maxi- range of 0 to 15 L/min, with a calibrated display resolution of
mum gauge pressure to which the equipment or container can at least 0.5 L/min. The flow control device shall be calibrated
be subjected without exceeding the allowable design stress. for 50 psig inlet pressure and be able to withstand a minimum
inlet pressure of 200 psig without damage or failure. It shall
3.2.4 maximum filling volume, n—the maximum filling vol-
incorporate an inlet filter and be electrically conductive from
ume of liquid at its maximum permissible level.
inlet to outlet. Flow control device accuracy shall be within
3.2.5 pressure relief device, n—adevicedesignedtoopenin
610% of the indicated flow, or 0.25 L, whichever is greater.
order to prevent a rise of internal fluid pressure in excess of a
5.2.2.3 Oxygen Outlet, piped to a self-sealing duplex oxy-
specified value.
genoutletstation.Oneoftheoutletsshallbeforaflowcontrol
3.3 Symbols:
device or humidifier and the second oxygen outlet shall be for
3.3.1 g—the normal or standard constant of gravity at sea
gas-specific, noninterchangeable, quick disconnect plug-in de-
level; approximately 32.2 ft/s/s (9.81 m/s/s).
vicesnotrequiringhumidification.Outletsshallbemarkedand
identified in accordance with CGA E-7.
3.4 Acronyms:
5.2.2.4 Shutoff Valve, when specified, furnished in the 50-
3.4.1 GOX, n—gaseous oxygen.
psig line and controlled and identified from the EMT panel. If
3.4.2 LOX, n—liquid oxygen.
a solenoid valve is utilized, a readily accessible emergency
bypass valve shall be furnished and identified.
4. Significance and Use
5.2.2.5 Secondary Oxygen Outlet, when specified, of the
4.1 The intent of this standard is to establish minimum
self-sealing, duplex wall outlet type. Additional outlets may
requirements, test parameters, and other criteria essential for
also be specified. The outlets shall be marked and identified in
oxygen system design, performance, and appearance, and to
accordance with CGA E-7 (see 6.1).
provide for a practical degree of standardization. The object is
5.2.3 Oxygen Compartment—The oxygen compartment
to provide oxygen systems that are properly constructed and
shall be provided with at least a 9-in. cover device which will
which, when properly serviced and maintained, will reliably
dissipate or vent, leaking oxygen to the outside of the vehicle.
function on an EMS ground vehicle.
Theoxygencompartmentshallnotbeutilizedforthestorageof
anyotherequipment.Nowiringorcomponentsshallterminate
in the oxygen compartment except for the oxygen control
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
solenoid, compartment light, switch plunger or trigger device,
International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
or other equipment that is integral to the oxygen system.
www.asme.org.
Wiring passing through the oxygen compartment shall be
Available from Compressed Gas Association (CGA), 4221 Walney Rd., 5th
Floor, Chantilly, VA 20151-2923, http://www.cganet.com. routed in a metallic conduit.
F1949−22
6. Performance Requirements least 1 min. The applied acceleration levels shall be 4 g
laterallyinallfourdirections,9 gverticallydownward,and3 g
6.1 Delivery Flow Rate—The oxygen system shall be ca-
vertically upward.
pable of delivering a minimum continuous gas flow of
6.6.3 Shock—The component shall withstand the basic de-
100L⁄min of gaseous oxygen, per patient, simultaneously,
sign and crash worthiness shock loads defined in 6.6.3.1 and
down to the 10% tank content level.
6.6.3.2. The applied shock pulse shall be of the amplitude
6.2 Delivery Pressure—The oxygen system shall provide a
specified, a half-sine wave configuration, and 11 ms duration.
delivery pressure of 50 6 5 psig, at the specified flow rate at
6.6.3.1 Basic Design Shock Load—The component shall
each medical oxygen gas outlet.
withstand three shocks in each direction along three mutually
perpendicular axes of the container (a total of 18 shocks). The
6.3 Delivery Temperature—The temperature of the gaseous
peak value of the shock loads shall be 20 g.
oxygen supplied from each medical oxygen gas outlet shall be
6.6.3.2 Crash Worthiness Shock Load—The component
within +10 or –20 °F (+6 or –11 °C) of ambient temperature
shall withstand two shocks in each direction along three
whentheoxygendeliverysystemissubjectedtothecontinuous
mutually perpendicular axes (a total of twelve shocks). The
flow described in 7.1.
peak value of the shock loads shall be 60 g. The crash
6.4 Temperature Conditions:
worthiness shock loads shall produce no failure of the mount-
6.4.1 Storage Temperatures—The oxygen system, when
ing attachments. The component shall not break free from its
servicedandmaintainedinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’s
mounting provisions or otherwise create a hazard. Permanent
recommendations, shall be capable of being stored without
bendinganddistortionshallbepermitted.Thecomponentneed
damage or deterioration in ambient temperatures of –30 °F
not be functional following application of the crash worthiness
(–34 °C) to 125 °F (52 °C).
shock loads.
6.4.2 Cold Soak—The oxygen system shall operate at a
7. Installation Requirements
temperature of 0 °F (–18 °C) after being cold soaked for6hat
–30 °F (–34 °C) followed bya1h cold soak at 0 °F (–18 °C).
7.1 The installation of the oxygen system shall be in
6.4.3 Heat Soak—The oxygen system shall operate at a accordance with the following requirements:
temperature of 110 °F (43 °C) after being heat soaked for 6 h 7.1.1 Oxygen Piping—Oxygen piping shall be concealed
at125°F(52°C)followedbya1hheatsoakat100°F(43°C). andnotexposedtotheelements.Thepipingshallbeaccessible
for inspection and replacement.
6.5 Electromagnetic Interference—Electrical or electronic
7.1.1.1 Piping Routing and Mounting—In routing the
componentry, or both, of the oxygen system shall meet the
piping, the general policy shall be to keep total length to a
electromagnetic interference emissions and susceptibility re-
minimum. Allowances shall be made for expansion,
quirements of MIL-STD-461 for ground vehicles.
contraction, vibration, and component replacement.All piping
6.6 Structural Integrity—Each oxygen system component,
shallbemountedtopreventvibrationandchafing.Thisshallbe
when mounted by its normal means of attachment and fitted
accomplished by the proper use of rubberized or cu
...