# What are suction regulators and collection jars?

**What do suction regulators and collection jars do at a medical vacuum outlet?**

A suction regulator connects to a medical vacuum outlet and controls the suction applied at the point of care, while the collection jar holds the aspirated fluid; with a slam-shut mechanism and a hydrophobic filter in the regulator, they minimise the risk of fluid carry-over into the hospital vacuum pipeline.

The NHS England guidance HTM 02-01 (2026) asks for vacuum to be applied through a suction control device, with the fluid collected in suction jars. The control device should include a slam-shut mechanism and a hydrophobic filter to minimise the risk of carry-over into the pipeline system (4.108).

This keeps the fluid at the bedside. HTM 02-01 does not permit wet vacuum systems, in which bodily or other fluids are drawn through a fixed pipeline from a terminal unit to a remote suction jar (3.11).

## Where they are used

Ward-level regulators and jars are used at piped vacuum outlets, for example in wards, intensive care units and recovery rooms. For emergencies, or where a pipeline would be used rarely, HTM 02-01 asks for mobile electric vacuum (MEV) units: typically one on the resuscitation trolley and at least one per 15 outlets in each non-critical ward or department with piped vacuum. In critical care the number is set by risk assessment, as a general rule one unit for every five patients (2.56 to 2.58).

## What they do not do

- They do not replace the plant's protection: the vacuum plant should still have duplex bacteria filters with drainage traps (HTM 02-01, 10.23).
- The vacuum outlet is not for surgical smoke: piped medical vacuum should not be used to extract fumes, and a purpose-designed local exhaust ventilation is required (10.62).

## From Ultra Controlo

Ultra Controlo supplies a ward vacuum regulator unit, designed for medical vacuum pipeline outlets in hospital wards, ICU and recovery rooms, and a medical suction collection jar that captures condensate and liquid to protect downstream vacuum equipment.

### Can a vacuum outlet be used for diathermy smoke?

No. HTM 02-01 (2026) says piped medical vacuum should not be used to extract fumes; a purpose-designed local exhaust ventilation is required.

### Why not pipe the fluid to a central jar?

HTM 02-01 does not permit wet vacuum systems that draw fluids through a fixed pipeline to a remote suction jar.

## Sources

- [NHS England, HTM 02-01 Medical gas pipeline systems, Part A (2026 edition), paras 2.56 to 2.58, 3.11, 4.108, 10.23, 10.62](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/health-technical-memorandum-02-01-medical-gas-pipeline-systems-part-a-design-installation-validation-verification-aug-2026.pdf)
- [ultracontrolo.com: Ward Vacuum Regulator Unit for Medical Suction](https://www.ultracontrolo.com/accessories/enfermery-vacuum)
- [ultracontrolo.com: Medical Suction Collection Jar](https://www.ultracontrolo.com/accessories/collection-jar)

Reviewed: 2026-10-22. Ultra Controlo engineering. https://library.ultracontrolo.com/answers/what-is-a-suction-regulator-and-collection-jar/