Practice Tips #69: Delivery System Installation

Before we get started on the intallation of a delivery system, we want to reiterate our number one objective: to empower your practice. Let us help you with tips on basic maintenance, installation, and repair knowledge. Do this without paying full-service distributors exorbitant fees on a regular basis. While taking the time to familiarize yourself with your equipment will have a learning curve, you'll be glad you did. Once you get it down, you'll be saving lots of money and will feel more in control of your practice.

Installation of Beaverstate Delivery Systems

A) INSTALLING THE JUNCTION BOX (MASTER/REGULATOR VALVES)

You should have both air and water lines of ½” pipe with male thread pipe extending up through the floor typically 1” into the operatory.

1. Wrap the threads with Teflon tape.
2. Attach two manual shut-off valves to your air and water pipes (these are provided with your junction box assembly). You may optionally use a water bottle system as the sole source of water to your unit and avoid plumbing a water line into the operatory. If a water line is in place but not being used, turn the water line off using the installed manual shut-off or cap the line.
3. Install new junction box enclosure over the pipe connections in your floor. Simply set the steel enclosure in place and secure to the floor using appropriate fasteners.
4. Unscrew the nuts from the compression fitting ends of the manual shut off and slip over the nipple fittings of the master on off/regulators included in the junction box assembly. Manufacturer's set the regulator with one preset for air, the other for water. Notice the air valve marked with an “A” (yellow valve cap) and the water valve has a “W” (blue valve cap).
5. Slip the ends of the nipple fittings into the manual shut offs.
6. Slide the nut and sleeve back to the shut off and screw back on.
7. Tighten the nuts with an open-end wrench.

B) MOUNT THE UNIT TO YOUR POST

1. Using a post level, make certain that your pole is straight and level. Adjust as necessary.
2. If a light is at the top of the pole, unplug and remove the light by pulling up. Carefully set the light aside and out of the way.
3. Keep the unit wrapped and bundled as it shipped to you, only removing the large plastic bag from the unit.
4. With the unit arm over your shoulder and control head behind you, slide the collar at the end of the arm over the top of the post. Move it down to the position desired. NOTE: The arm must be perfectly level to move down the post. As soon as the arm is out of level, it locks in place with a simple friction mechanism.
5. With the weight of the unit over your shoulder, a lone individual should be able to lift and maneuver the delivery system. Ask an assistant to help support the unit, until you get it onto the pole.

C) CONNECT THE UMBILICAL LINES

1. Attach the color-coded hoses from the umbilical to the regulators as shown in the diagram below. The yellow line from the umbilical attaches to the barb marked “to master on/off switch.” This barb may have a scrap of yellow tubing attached, remove this scrap (helps mark this barb).
2. The brown line from the umbilical attaches to the small plastic “T,” which is already attached to two small brown lines attaching the two master valves together.
3. The other lines attach to the remaining barbs of the air and water valves as appropriate. There will be both ¼” o.d. and 1/8” o.d. clear lines to attach to the air valve and a ¼” o.d. line to attach to the water valve.

D) TEST FOR FUNCTION

1. Fully open the manual shut-off valves.
2. Turn the unit master toggle valve to the “on” position.
3. The on/off indicator on the front (side of some models) should be colored to indicate the unit is “on.”
4. Check the gauges in the junction box. The air valve should indicate 80 psi, the water valve 40 psi.
5. Depress both buttons of the air/water syringe and spray into a bucket or sink. The syringe will likely sputter some as air is purged from the water line. Hold both buttons down until you achieve smooth and even flow.
6. While holding the buttons of your syringe down, again check the pressure on the valves in the junction box and verify pressure (80 psi for air, 40 psi for water). Adjust ff the pressure changes.
7. Adjust the pressure using an allen wrench on the adjustment screws at the ends of the valves. These screws are held in place by lock nuts. Loosen the lock nut with an open end wrench before adjusting the adjustment screw. IMPORTANT: Continue to depress BOTH buttons of your air/water syringe while adjusting your pressure. The air and water must be flowing for you to affect a change in the pressure.
8. Screw the adjustment screw IN (clockwise) to increase the pressure and OUT (counter clockwise) to decrease the pressure. Even a small adjustment can have a large impact on your pressure. Turn the adjustment screw no more than 1/4 turn at a time.
9. Let the air and/or water flow for a full 30 seconds before further adjusting.

E) ENJOY YOUR NEW DELIVERY SYSTEM

You finished the installation of your new delivery system. It is now ready for use! Installing a delivery system is a quick and easy way to save while improving your office.