What is an essential characteristic of compression fittings in medical gas systems?

An essential characteristic of compression fittings in medical gas systems is that they provide a hermetic seal. This is crucial in medical applications where maintaining the integrity of gas delivery systems is vital for patient safety. A hermetic seal ensures that there is no leakage of gases, which could lead to harmful consequences in a medical environment.

Compression fittings work by compressing a ring or ferrule onto the pipe as the fitting is tightened, which creates a tight, leak-proof connection. This ensures that the gases delivered through these systems remain contained and do not escape into the environment or allow contaminants to enter the system, both of which could be detrimental in a healthcare setting.

While compression fittings are designed to create a reliable and durable connection, they are typically not reusable in the same way as threaded or flanged connections, which have different maintenance protocols. Thus, the ability of compression fittings to provide this crucial seal is what makes them a suitable choice for medical gas systems.