Medical gas alarm system

A hospital medical gas delivery system for delivering gas to a plurality of physically separated delivery locations and for providing a perceptible alarm upon the occurrence of conditions leading to delivery system failure, said gas delivery system comprising:

• a main supply line adapted for coupling to a source of medical gas and including a main valve interposed therein, said main valve being shiftable through a range of positions between a first open position and a second, closed position;
• a distribution system downstream of and operatively coupled with said main valve, said distribution system including a plurality of distribution conduits respectively leading to said separated delivery locations, there being a distribution valve interposed in each of said distribution conduits;
• a sensor unit operatively connected with said distribution system downstream of said main valve and upstream of at least certain of said distribution valves, said sensor unit including structure for detecting pressure conditions within the distribution system, and for transmitting a first alarm condition signal when an improper pressure condition is sensed therein;
• switch means operatively coupled with said main valve for transmitting a second alarm condition signal when the valve is in other than said first position;
• alarm generating means for transmitting a humanly perceptible alarm warning;
• and
• signal processing means operatively coupling said sensor unit and switch means with said alarm generating means for receiving the respective first and second alarm condition signals from said switch means and sensor unit, and for actuating said alarm generating means upon sensing of improper pressure conditions within said distribution system or upon sensing of the position of said main valve in other than said first, open condition,
• whereby a humanly perceptible alarm is generated at a time after the onset of conditions leading to failure of the delivery system, but prior to actual failure thereof.