Designation: F 1205 – 88 (Reapproved 1999)

Standard Specification for

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Anesthesia Breathing Tubes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1205; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.1.3 breathing tube—a large-bore (greater than or equal to

1.1 This specification covers anesthesia breathing tubes, 15 mm) nonrigid tube, usually corrugated, used to convey
integrally attached end fittings, and integrally attached compo- gases or vapors, or both, to and from the patient.
nents for use with anesthesia breathing systems. Excluded are 3.1.4 compliance (pressure-volume relationship)—a change
similar tubes for specific other purposes, such as those used of volume per change in pressure. Units of compliance are
with some breathing machines, pediatric anesthesia circuits, expressed as millilitres per kilopascal (millilitres per centime-
and gas scavenging tubes. tre H 2O) per metre length of tube.
1.2 The following subjects are covered: terminology, di- 3.1.5 conductive—a property of a breathing tube and any
mensions, labeling and marking, selected performance require- integrally attached components with electrical conductivity
ments, and test methods to substantiate compliance with the acceptable in accordance with the applicable test (see 10.1.1).
requirements. Alternative test methods may be employed 3.1.6 disposable—an item intended to be used once and
provided that they can be shown to be equivalent or better. discarded.
3.1.7 flow resistance—the pressure difference from inlet to
NOTE 1—This specification supersedes ANSI Standard Z 79.6-1975. outlet of a device caused by flow. Units of resistance are
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the kilopascal per litre per second (centimetre of H2O per litre per
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the second) per meter length of tube.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.8 labeling—information and literature accompanying
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- the device, such as brochures, package inserts, and manuals.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.9 machine end—that end of the breathing tube which is
toward the machine.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.10 marking—information directly on the device.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.11 nonconductive—a property of a breathing tube and
F 1054 Specification For Conical Fittings Of 15 mm and 22 any integrally attached components with insufficient electrical
mm Sizes2 conductivity to meet the requirements of applicable test (see
2.2 ANSI Standard: 10.1.1).
ANSI/NFPA 99 Healthcare Facilities3 3.1.12 patient end—that end of the breathing tube which is
toward the patient.
3. Terminology 3.1.13 reusable—an item intended for repeated use on one
3.1 Descriptions of Terms—For the purpose of this specifi- or more patients.
cation, the following descriptions of terms shall apply:
3.1.1 ambient temperature and pressure—room temperature 4. Material
and pressure, dry gas (rtpd); indicates conditions of 20°C and 4.1 Requirements:
101.3 kPa (760 mm Hg) and dry gas. 4.1.1 Tubes should be made of materials suitable for the
3.1.2 assembled end—a fitting integrally attached by the intended use and should function satisfactorily in the presence
manufacturer to the end of the tube. of anesthetic agents and gases commonly used and not elute
toxic substances.
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4.1.2 Reusable tubing should be able to withstand ordinary
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F29 on
Anesthetic and Respiratory Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
methods of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization (see
mittee F29.12 on Airways. 12.1.1.1). It is desirable that such products should withstand
Current edition approved Dec. 30, 1988. Published February 1989. accepted methods of steam sterilization.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01.
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Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.

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 F 1205 – 88 (1999)
5. Dimensions and Tolerances integral Y-piece) shall not exceed 75 mL/min at a pressure of
5.1 Requirements: 3.0 kPa (30 cm H2O).
5.1.1 Measure System—SI units shall be used. 7.2 Test Procedure:
5.1.2 End Connectors: 7.2.1 The system shown in Fig. 1 is used to test for leakage
5.1.2.1 Single Breathing Tube(s)—Both ends of the tube of a single tube at ambient temperature and pressure (rtpd).
shall mate with 22-mm male fittings which comply with Seal the end of the breathing tube and connect to the system as
Specification F 1054. The ends may be assembled, plain, shown. Apply an airflow through the flowmeter (compensated
cylindrical, or tapered. for pressure) until the system pressure has stabilized at 3 kPa
5.1.2.2 Assembled Sets (integrally attached Y-piece and (30 cm H2O). Record the flowmeter reading in millilitres per
tubing, not intended to be disassembled): minute.
(a) Patient End—The patient end of the Y-piece shall be a 7.2.2 The system shown in Fig. 1 is used to test for leakage
22-mm/15-mm male/female coaxial fitting complying with of an assembled set (two tubes plus Y-piece) as supplied by the
Specification F 1054. manufacturer at ambient temperature and pressure (rtpd). Seal
(b) Machine End—The machine end of both breathing tubes the end of the Y-piece and one end of one of the tubes of the
shall mate with 22-mm male fittings which comply with assembled set and connect to the system as shown. Apply an
Specification F 1054. The ends may be assembled, plain, airflow through the flowmeter (compensated for pressure) until
cylindrical, or tapered. the system pressure has stabilized at 3 kPa (30 cm H 2O).
5.1.3 Length—The length of the breathing tube shall be Record the flowmeter reading in millilitres per minute.
designated as the nominal overall length when measured in the
relaxed condition and shall be stated with a tolerance of 6 5 %. 8. Flow Resistance
5.2 Test Procedure: 8.1 Requirements:
5.2.1 Verify by inspection. 8.1.1 Resistance of a single tube shall not exceed 0.1 kPa
5.2.2 Test in accordance with 6.2.1. (1.0 cm H2O)/m of length at 1.0 L/s.
5.2.2.1 (4.1.2.2(a)) Verify by inspection that the patient end 8.1.2 Resistance of the inspiratory pathway of an assembled
fittings comply with Specification F 1054. set (two tubes plus Y-piece) as supplied by the manufacturer
5.2.3 Verify by measuring. shall not exceed 0.1 kPa (1.0 cm H2O)/m of length at 1.0 L/s.
8.1.3 Resistance of the expiratory pathway of an assembled
6. Connections set (two tubes plus Y-piece) as supplied by the manufacturer
6.1 Requirements: shall not exceed 0.1 kPa (1.0 cm H2O)/m of length at 1.0 L/s.
6.1.1 All connections shall withstand a minimum tensile 8.2 Test Procedure:
load of 15 N for 1 min in all directions, except the axial 8.2.1 The system shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 is used to
direction, which shall withstand a tensile load of 40 N for 1 determine the pressure drop (resistance) across a single tube. A
min. buffer chamber may be placed between the source and the
6.1.2 For breathing tubes with assembled ends, the joint flowmeter to minimize pressure fluctuation. Connect the single
between the tubing and assembled end fitting shall withstand tube as shown and set the airflow to 1.0 L/s. Record the
an axial tensile load of 45 N for 1 min applied 250 mm from pressure drop (resistance) from the water manometer as kilo-
the end of the fitting. The breathing tube shall not become pascals per litre per second per meter length (centimetre H2O
detached from the assembled end fitting. per liter per second per meter length).
6.2 Test Procedure: 8.2.2 The system shown in Fig. 2 is used to determine the
6.2.1 Lubricate the mating surfaces of the end of the inspiratory pathway pressure drop (resistance). A buffer cham-
breathing tube with distilled water and engage with the ber may be placed between the source and the flowmeter to
appropriate plug gate (see Specification F 1054, Fig. 5 or Fig. minimize pressure fluctuation. Connect the assembled set (two
6). Apply a tensile load of 15 N at 45° to the axis for a period tubes plus Y-piece) to the test set-up at the end of the tube on
of 1 min. For the axial direction, apply a load of 40 N. Test the inspiratory side and seal the expiratory end as shown and
each end separately. The breathing tube shall not become set the airflow to 1.0 L/s. Record the pressure drop (resistance)
detached from the plug gage.
6.2.2 To test the integral joint between the assembled end
fitting and the tube, affix the assembled end fitting and apply a
45-N axial tensile load to the tubing 250 mm from the joint for
1 min.

7. Leakage
7.1 Requirements:
7.1.1 When tested as specified in 7.2, leakage of one tube
shall not exceed 25 mL/min at a pressure of 3.0 kPa (30 cm
H2O).
7.1.2 When tested as specified in 7.2, leakage of an as-
sembled set as supplied by the manufacturer (two tubes plus FIG. 1 Leakage Test Set-Up

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 F 1205 – 88 (1999)
internal compliance (pressure-volume relationship) of a single
tube or an assembled set as supplied by the manufacturer. The
tubing volume connecting the manometer should not be more
than 1⁄100 of the volume of the test sample. Connect the single
tube or assembled set as shown and seal all ends. Inject and
record the volume of air necessary to create 2.0 kPa (20 cm
H2O) of pressure. Inject an additional volume of air until the
pressure reaches 4.0 kPa (40 cm H2O) and record the total
volume necessary to reach 4.0 kPa (40 cm H2O).

FIG. 2 Inspiratory Pathway Resistance Test Set-Up 10. Electrical Conductivity

10.1 Requirements:
10.1.1 The electrical characteristics of tubes and any inte-
grally attached components made of conductive material shall
be as specified and tested in accordance with the requirements
of ANSI/NFPA 99.
10.1.2 Breathing tubes and integrally attached nonmetal
components made of conductive materials shall be marked
“CONDUCTIVE.’’
10.1.3 Black breathing tubes and black components made of
nonconductive materials shall be marked “NONCONDUC-
TIVE.’’
FIG. 3 Expiratory Pathway Resistance Test Set-Up 10.2 Test Procedure:
10.2.1 Test in accordance with ANSI/NFPA 99.
from the water manometer as kilopascals per litre per second 10.2.2 Verify by visual inspection.
per meter length (centimetre H2O per litre per second per meter 10.2.3 Verify by visual inspection.
length).
8.2.3 The system shown in Fig. 3 is used to determine the 11. Marking
expiratory pathway pressure drop (resistance). A buffer cham- 11.1 Requirements:
ber may be placed between the source and the flowmeter to 11.1.1 Reusable Tubing:
minimize pressure fluctuation. Connect the assembled set (two 11.1.1.1 The name, trademark, or unique identifying mark
tubes plus Y-piece) to the test set-up at the end of the Y-piece of the manufacturer shall be marked on or affixed to the tubing.
and seal the inspiratory end as shown and set the airflow to 1.0
NOTE 2—The manufacture of reusable tubing without the name, trade-
L/s. Record the pressure drop (resistance) from the water
mark, or unique identifying mark of the manufacturer is permitted for 2
manometer as kilopascals per litre per second per meter length years after the initial publication of this specification.
(centimetre H2O per litre per second per meter length).
11.1.1.2 Conductive tubes shall be marked “CONDUC-
9. Internal Compliance TIVE.’’
9.1 Requirements—The typical compliance shall be mea- 11.1.1.3 The month and year of manufacture or equivalent
sured at 2.0 kPa (20 cm H2O) and 4.0 kPa (40 cm H 2O) and code should be marked on or affixed to the tubing.
shall be expressed in the labeling at 2.0 kPa (20 cm H 2O) and 11.2 Test Procedure—Reusable Tubing:
4.0 kPa (40 cm H2O) as millilitres per kilopascal (millilitres 11.2.1 Verify by visual inspection.
per centimetre H2O) per meter of length of tube(s). For 11.2.2 Verify by visual inspection.
assembled sets, the total compliance at 2.0 kPa (20 cm H2O)
12. Labeling
and 4.0 kPa (40 cm H2O) should be expressed in the labeling.
9.2 Test Procedure: 12.1 Requirements:
9.2.1 The system shown in Fig. 4 is used to determine the 12.1.1 Reusable Tubing:
12.1.1.1 When tubes are supplied with the intention that
they can be reused, this shall be indicated. Information shall be
provided to recommend acceptable methods for cleaning,
disinfection, and sterilization.
12.1.1.2 The typical compliance as determined in Section 9
shall be stated.
12.1.1.3 Tubing length as determined in 5.1.3 shall be
stated.
12.1.1.4 The name or trademark of the manufacturer shall
be stated.
12.1.1.5 If the tubing is conductive as determined in Section
FIG. 4 Compliance Test Set-Up 10, this shall be stated.

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 F 1205 – 88 (1999)
12.1.1.6 The month and year of manufacture or equivalent 12.1.2.6 The month and year of manufacture or equivalent
code shall be stated unless it is marked on or affixed to the code shall be stated unless it is marked on or affixed to the
tubing. tubing.
12.1.2 Disposable Tubing: 12.2 Test Procedure:
12.1.2.1 The unit package shall be labeled as such, for 12.2.1 Reusable Tubing—For requirements in 12.1.1.1
example, “Disposable.’’ through 12.1.1.6, verify by visual inspection.
12.1.2.2 The typical compliance as determined in Section 9 12.2.2 Disposable Tubing—For requirements in 12.1.2.1
shall be stated. through 12.1.2.6, verify by visual inspection.
12.1.2.3 Tubing length as determined in 5.1.3 shall be
stated. 13. Keywords
12.1.2.4 The name or trademark of the manufacturer shall 13.1 anesthesia; flow and flow rate; anesthesia equipment;
be stated. leak testing; anesthesia equipment; pressure testing; medical
12.1.2.5 If the tubing is conductive as determined in Section equipment; pressure-volume relationship compliance; resis-
10, this shall be stated. tance; flow water test

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