In the wake of two hyperbaric chamber fires, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an important Letter to Health Care Providers reminding clinicians and facilities of the critical importance of following manufacturer instructions for safe use of hyperbaric oxygen chamber (HBO2) devices.
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) Executive Director John Peters has issued an associated statement.
Key FDA Recommendations:
- Follow the manufacturer’s Instructions for Use for each hyperbaric chamber device.
- Implement strict fire prevention protocols, including proper grounding of hyperbaric equipment.
- Ensure all staff are fully trained and maintain competency in HBO2 operation.
- Maintain continuous patient supervision and monitoring throughout treatment.
- Adhere to cleaning, maintenance, and safety-check schedules set by the manufacturer.
- Avoid prohibited or static-generating items in the chamber environment.
- Require patients to wear hyperbaric oxygen-compatible attire to minimize static risk.
If you are a patient, know that Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments are safe and effective when safety standards are followed. You can find the list of accredited facilities here. Patients can also use this blog article to see if the specific chamber in use at any facility is FDA cleared. Patients can also help by participating fully in hyperbaric safety requirements – even though they may seem annoying – because they are designed for your safety. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) guidelines, specifically NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code, govern safety in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) environments.
NFPA standards mandate that no unapproved electronic devices are allowed inside a hyperbaric chamber, even in hyperbaric chambers that are compressed with AIR. Compressing a hyperbaric chamber with air increases the partial pressure of oxygen in the chamber and increases fire risk. If you are a patient, do not undergo treatment at a facility which allows you to take your cell phone, smart watch, laptop, or any other electronic device inside the chamber unless the device has been specifically designed, tested, and certified as safe for hyperbaric use. These standards are designed to prevent fatal hyperbaric chamber fire and explosion risks in oxygen-enriched, pressurized environments—where even a small spark from an electronic device can be catastrophic.
Additional Resources:
- Three Charged with Second Degree Murder in Hyperbaric Chamber Fire – Caroline Fife M.D.
- BREAKING: Another Fatal Hyperbaric Chamber Fire – Caroline Fife M.D.
- Safety Standards for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – FREE from UHMS – Caroline Fife M.D.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Get the Facts | FDA
- NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code, Chapter 14 – Hyperbaric Facilities
- ASME PVHO-1: Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy(2023 Edition)
- UHMS Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation Program – Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society
Dr. Fife is a world renowned wound care physician dedicated to improving patient outcomes through quality driven care. Please visit my blog at CarolineFifeMD.com and my Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/carolinefifemd/videos
The opinions, comments, and content expressed or implied in my statements are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect the position or views of Intellicure or any of the boards on which I serve.
