What information does a supplier need to quote an oxygen plant?

Oxygen demand

The 2020 WHO interim specification for PSA plants (superseded by WHO's technical specifications of 31 December 2024) asked for a continuous output that covered 100% of the oxygen demand. UNDP's 2025 requirements for oxygen plants build the demand estimate from inpatient admissions, bed counts, terminal outlets per bed, occupancy rates, historical consumption, average flow rates, hypoxaemia rates and future expansion plans; see how to estimate hospital oxygen demand.

Purity and pressure

The purity setting changes the flow a given plant delivers: a Global Fund briefing note (3 April 2024) gives the example of equipment producing 20 Nm³/h at 93% (±3%) that would produce 18 Nm³/h if set to 95% (±1%). For pressure, the 2020 WHO interim specification asked for a continuous output of 300 to 600 kPa (3 to 6 bar). ULTRAOX plants deliver oxygen at 6 bar, and the ULTRAOX SC and ST datasheets state a purity of 94% (±1%).

Site conditions

The site evaluation form in UNDP's 2025 requirements, adapted from a 2023 WHO annex on site evaluation for oxygen generator plants, asks for the highest monthly average temperature, the highest monthly average humidity and the altitude above sea level. It also asks for the planned configuration (single, duplex or multiplex plant, booster and filling manifold, piping, cylinders) and whether the plant will be skid-mounted, containerised or built on site. UNDP adds that elevation, temperature, humidity and dust should be considered in the design. For comparison, the 2020 WHO interim specification asked plants to supply the specified concentration at 10 to 40 °C, 15 to 95% relative humidity and 0 to 1,000 m elevation, as a minimum.

Power, space and existing sources

• Power: the 2020 WHO interim specification asked the manufacturer to state the acceptable mains capacity and the compatibility with a back-up power supply such as a generator, and said frequency, voltage and plug type needed to be specified. UNDP asks suppliers for mains capacity, single line diagrams, grid compatibility and backup diesel generators.
• Space and housing: the 2020 WHO interim specification asked the manufacturer to state compatibility with the plant housing and needs such as roofing, ventilation and air conditioning. UNDP asks for building dimensions, door and window sizes, ventilation and air extractors.
• Location: UNDP says the plant location should take into account proximity to the medical gas pipeline to prevent pressure drops, safety distances and a low-pollution area.
• Existing sources: WHO's Foundations of medical oxygen systems (2023) says that, once demand is calculated, the existing and planned oxygen production, storage and distribution systems must be considered.

What an ULTRAOX site needs

For an ULTRAOX plant, the hospital provides a clean, level area reachable by a crane, a drain for condensate, anchoring for the equipment, three-phase power and the licences to install and operate it. The ambient air must be reasonably free of dust, at an acceptable humidity and free of chemical contamination. The plant can run from a diesel generator, and the existing oxygen installation can stay in place, with ULTRAOX connected to it as a new source. To send these details, see how to get a quote.