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smell from vacuum system

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16K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  wyrickmech  
#1 ·
I have a potential client with a smell from their vacuum system.

It's a dentist's office and I presume it is the suction system that is used at the chairs.

Any thoughts on how someone might go about cleaning a system like this?

--Will
 
#2 ·
Dentists offices are classed as Level 3 systems.

Depending on the age of the office the vacuum is more than likely going to be PVC underground, it will run back to the vacuum pump wherever it is located, generally a mechanical room.

As far as the smell goes, what does it smell like? Pump could be going out and not pulling all the waste to it and disposing of it properly.

Are you certified in Medical Gas? Cause if not you can't break into the system...
 
#4 ·
It is..

Im sure they administer nitrous to their patients for teeth work. It may be reserve bottles in the rooms but its still classified as a level 3. Easy way to know for sure is if they have any bottle manifolds or bulk tanks on the property, and if any local alarm panels are present in the office.

It's classified as a level 3 because if the gas system fails it won't kill the patient. Level 1&2 have redundant systems installed as fail safes, 3's do not.

I'm guessing the pump is going out or the filters are clogged up with gunk...
 
#5 ·
When I checked things out, there was definitely a leak coming from the vacuum breaker on the pump. I also happened to be in the room with the pump when it kicked on, and it seemed to me like the pump itself was really smelly.

I told them it was probably time for a new pump, as the one they had seemed to be the source of the smell, was leaking, and it was at least 10 years old.

I guess I got the call because someone had told them they needed to change the trap to the floor drain in the same room, but it was holding water while I was there. I told them to check it first thing AM, in case it had a small crack and was leaking out over night.
 
#6 ·
woberkrom said:
When I checked things out, there was definitely a leak coming from the vacuum breaker on the pump. I also happened to be in the room with the pump when it kicked on, and it seemed to me like the pump itself was really smelly.

I told them it was probably time for a new pump, as the one they had seemed to be the source of the smell, was leaking, and it was at least 10 years old.

I guess I got the call because someone had told them they needed to change the trap to the floor drain in the same room, but it was holding water while I was there. I told them to check it first thing AM, in case it had a small crack and was leaking out over night.
Click to expand...
They do make bio side cleaners for vacuum systems for smells if it is organic . If it is a oil sealed pump and it sells like petroleum product it is more than likely the pump going out did you see any kind of log on maintenance? Most oil sealed pumps need attention every month if they don't know this then it might simply be burning itself up.
 
#7 ·
woberkrom said:
When I checked things out, there was definitely a leak coming from the vacuum breaker on the pump. I also happened to be in the room with the pump when it kicked on, and it seemed to me like the pump itself was really smelly.

I told them it was probably time for a new pump, as the one they had seemed to be the source of the smell, was leaking, and it was at least 10 years old.

I guess I got the call because someone had told them they needed to change the trap to the floor drain in the same room, but it was holding water while I was there. I told them to check it first thing AM, in case it had a small crack and was leaking out over night.
Click to expand...
Where are they evacuating the waste to?
 
#9 ·
The discharge from the vacuum system is to a floor drain in the same room as the pump.

I have no idea what the deal with the pump is. I am going to guess that service has been somewhere between irregular and none.

Frankly, it kicked on and blew "stank" right in my face. Between that and the thing looking quasi rigged (several different materials used on the inlet side to the pump) at least to my untrained eye, and the fact the thing was ten years old with it running continuously for four hour stretches two times a day, six days a week...I figured more likely than not it was done for.

--Will
 
#10 ·
woberkrom said:
The discharge from the vacuum system is to a floor drain in the same room as the pump.

I have no idea what the deal with the pump is. I am going to guess that service has been somewhere between irregular and none.

Frankly, it kicked on and blew "stank" right in my face. Between that and the thing looking quasi rigged (several different materials used on the inlet side to the pump) at least to my untrained eye, and the fact the thing was ten years old with it running continuously for four hour stretches two times a day, six days a week...I figured more likely than not it was done for.

--Will
Click to expand...
Are you talking about the drain or the exhaust? The exhaust is suppose to go outside like a vent
 
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