Manifolds for gas cylinders should consist of how many equal headers?

Manifolds for gas cylinders are designed to optimize the distribution and management of medical gases, ensuring a reliable and efficient supply for healthcare facilities. The typical configuration consists of two equal headers. This setup is essential because it allows for redundancy and increased safety in the event that one header experiences a malfunction or needs maintenance.

By having two headers, each can supply gas simultaneously, thus balancing the load and ensuring continuous availability of the gas. Additionally, this design facilitates easier isolation and replacement of a header without disrupting the entire gas system.

Having a single header would diminish reliability, as any issue could completely halt supply. A configuration with three or four headers is not standard practice for most medical gas systems, as it could complicate the system without providing significant benefits compared to the dual header design. Therefore, the two equal headers in a manifold represent an optimal solution for both efficiency and safety in the management of medical gas systems.