EUROPE (EU)
The fitting of oxygen firebreaks is
installations across Europe under the
Medical Device Directive (MDD)
Home oxygen fire deaths underreported.
Complete data not available.
a requirement for home oxygen
and Medical Device Regulation (MDR).
GERMANY
Firebreaks have been mandatory
Home oxygen fire deaths underreported.
Complete data not available.
since 2012.
UK
Firebreaks have been
in 2006
Home oxygen fire deaths
Home Oxygen Service
per 100,000 patients: 0.34*
mandatory since the
introduction of the
*Only one home oxygen fire death
recorded in 5 years.
Source: National Health Service
Health Service
WORLD
The World Health Organization
(WHO) recommends 'firebreak
connectors to stop the oxygen
flow in the event of fire' in all
oxygen concentrators.
Thermal fuses
Administration
Around 100 home oxygen
all Veterans Health
represents 6.6* per 100,000
mandatory among
*Fatality figures are best
estimates based on
oxygen patients
fire deaths each year, which
(firebreaks) are
(VA) patients.
media reports.
US
JAPAN
Firebreaks are mandatory
Firebreaks are part-mandatory
Firebreaks in use
Japan is introducing
Home oxygen fire deaths
by 2021.
per 100,000 patients: 3.3*
legislation to make
firebreaks mandatory
*Source: Japanese Medical
Gas Association