Reporting on the business and technologies
driving today's global industrial gas industry

Medical Gas Regulations: Avoiding the Cyclical Compliance Curve
By Bob Yeoman, B&R Compliance
2008.11
Recent FDA activity is in line with the cyclical nature of regulatory activity. This article examines some of the causes of the increased FDA activity and lessons that can be learned from that experience. In addition, it takes a look at how the medical gases business will need to get back on track and how to meet the challenges of future regulation.

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The Industrial Gases Healthcare Market
Aligning Market Expectations with Controlled Cost Measures
By Maura D. Garvey and Catherine M. Baker
2008.11

The emergence of medical markets has created new markets for industrial gas players. This article discusses the trends in healthcare, exploring the worldwide and US healthcare industries, the US industrial gas players, and the applications in healthcare technology, especially in MRI, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and LENOXe. The article concludes by stating that healthcare demand will remain strong, although growth in the healthcare sector will be challenging.

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The CU Approach - Listen and Integrate
Computers Unlimited Builds Total Information Management Systems Successfully
By David Schaer, Director of Product Management and Marketing
2008.11

Founded in 1978, Computers Unlimited (CU) has evolved from a small service bureau supporting local area
businesses into a major software development company. Today CU serves the needs of industrial, medical, specialty gas and welding supply distributors, as well as homecare oxygen and medical equipment providers, throughout North America. CU’s flagship product — Total Information Management System (TIMS) — is used at several hundred customer sites throughout North America by over 20,000 employees. CU’s customer base represents a substantial share of the North American industrial, medical, and specialty gas and equipment distribution channel.

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Decoding the Code
NFPA 99 Chapter 5 and Medical Gas Central Supply Systems
By Larry Gallagher
2008.11

The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) 99 Standards for Health Care Facilities details the many minimum standards and codes for the installation, performance, cerification and testing, maintenance, construction, and safe practices for systems used in all Health Care Facilities. In this article, we review NFPA99, Chapter 5, which covers Medical Gas Central Supply systems for liquid and high-pressure cylinders with or without a third leg reserve. From a manufacturing standpoint, not all systems are created equal, yet they have some common key elements and requirements. In attempting to decode the requirements and explain the reasons behind the standards, we hope to increase the understanding of the code among those installing and specifying systems.

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