ICS 71.100.20  
G86 
                                                         GB 
National Standard of the People’s Republic of China   
    GB/T ×××× –– ××××  
Replaces GB 8982 -1998, GB 8983 -1998  
_______________________________________________________________  
 
 
Gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircrafts  
 
 
(2nd Version Submitted for Examination)  
(Completed on: 2 February 2008)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue Date  ×××× -××-××    Implementation Date : ×××× -××-×× 
_________________________________________________________ ___________  
Issued by:  General Administration of Quality Supervision,  Inspection 
and Quarantine of The People’s Republic of China  
(AQSIQ)  Standardisation Administration of the People's Republic of 
China  (SAC)  Foreword  
 
     This Standard replaces GB 89 82-1998 “Medical supplies for oxygen” and GB 
8983 -1998 “Medical supplies for aircraft,” and revises and combines GB 8982 -1998 
and GB 8983 -1998.  
In comparison with GB 8982 -1998 and GB 8983 -1998 , the major changes to 
this Standard are as follows:  
–– name ame nded to  “Gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine and 
aircraft”;  
–– scope of application expanded, increased hose -transported oxygen supplies 
for aircraft items (Subsection 1 of this Standard);  
–– normative references adjusted (Subsection 2 of this S tandard, Subsection 2 
of GB 8982 -1998 and  Subsection 2 of  GB 8983 -1998);  
–– requirements for the contents of total hydrocarbon and solid substance 
increased, as well as their test methods (Table 1, Subsections 5.7 and 5.8 of this 
Standard);  
––technical ind icators of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in oxygen for 
medicine have been revised, as well as their test methods (Table 2 and Subsections 5.3 
of this Standard, and Subsections 2, 5.3 and 5.4 of GB 8982 -1998);  
–– technical indicators of carbon monoxide  and carbon dioxide in oxygen for 
aircrafts increased, as well as their test methods (Table 2 and Subsections 5.3 and 5.4 
of this Standard);  
––sampling, judgment and re -inspection have been revised (Subsection 4 of this 
Standard, Subsection 4 of GB 8982 -1998, and Subsection 5 of GB 8983 -1998);  
Table 1 in this Standard is mandatory.  
The Annex of this Standard is a normative Annex.  
This Standard was proposed by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry   
Association.  
The National Gas Standardisation Technica l Committee implemented this 
Standard . 
The main drafting units of this Standard are:  
The main drafters of this Standard are:  
This Standard replaces the former issues GB 8982 -1988, GB 8983 -1988, GB 
8982 -1998 and GB 8983 -1998.  Gaseous breathing oxygen suppl ies for medicine and aircraft  
 
1   Scope  
 
     This Standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods, packaging, 
marking, storage and transportation for gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
medicines and aircrafts. This Standard applies to bott led and hose -transported gaseous 
oxygen supplies for medicines and liquid oxygen supplies for medicines extracted by 
air separation and water electrolysis, as well as gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
aircrafts and liquid breathing oxygen supplies for aircrafts extracted by cryogenic air 
separation. These supplies are mainly used as mixed breathing gas for medicines, for 
divers, the breathing of aircraft aviators, etc.  
     Molecular formula: O 2. 
     Relative molecular mass: 31.9988 (calculated accordi ng to the International 
Relative Atomic Mass of 2005).  
 
2   Normative references  
 
     The provisions of the following documents become provisions of this Standard 
after being referenced.  For dated reference documents, all later amendments 
(excluding corri genda) and versions do not apply to this Part; however, the parties to 
the agreement are encouraged to study whether the latest versions of these documents 
are applicable. For undated reference documents, the latest versions apply to this 
Standard.  
     GB /T 3835 Industrial oxygen  
     GB/T 5832.2 Determination of trace water in gases –– Dew point method  
     GB/T 8984.1 -1997 Determination of carbon monoxide,  carbon dioxide and 
hydrocarbon in gases  –– Part 1: Determination of carbon monoxide , carbon dioxide  
and methane in the gases  –– Gas chromatographic method  
     GB/T 8984.3 -1997 Determination of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and 
hydrocarbon in gases  –– Part 3: Determination of total hydrocarbon in gases  –– Flame 
ionisation method.  
 
3 Requirements  
 
3.1 The total pollutants in gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircrafts should produce no toxicity toward the user.  3.2 The technical requirements for gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines 
should meet the requirements set out in Tab le 1. 
3.3 The technical requirements for gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for aircrafts 
should meet the requirements set out in Table 2.  
Table 1 Technical requirements for gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
medicines  
Item Indicator  
Oxygen ( O2) content  (volume fraction) / 10-2                          99.5 
Water ( H2O) content (dew point) / oC                       – 43 
Carbon dioxide (C O2) content  (volume fraction) / 10-6            100 
Carbon monoxide (C O) content  (volume fraction) / 10-6          5 
Content of gaseous acidic substance and al kaline substance  Passed the inspection according 
to the specified methods  
Contents of ozone and other gaseous oxides  Passed the inspection according 
to the specified methods  
Odour  No peculiar odour  
Total hydrocarbon content (volume fraction) / 10-6                   60 
Grain                     100m  
Solid substance  
Content, mg/m3             1 
Note: No requirement is specified for odour, water content and solid substance of liquid oxygen.  
 
Table 2   Technical requirements for gaseous breathing oxygen supplie s for 
aircrafts  
Item Indicator  
Oxygen ( O2) content (volume fraction) / 10-2                          99.5 
Water ( H2O) content (dew point) / oC                       – 65 
Carbon dioxide (C O2) content (volume fraction) / 10-6              100 
Carbon m onoxide (C O) content (volume fraction) / 10-6            5 
Odour  No peculiar odour  
Total hydrocarbon content (volume fraction) / 10-6                   60 
Grain                     100m  
Solid substance  
Content, mg/m3             1 
Remarks:  No r equirement is specified for the odour, water content and solid substance of liquid 
oxygen.  
 
4 Sampling, judgment and re -inspection  
 
4.1   The Quality Inspection Department of the manufacturer is responsible for the ex-factory inspection of  gaseous breathi ng oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircrafts, for issuing certification that the product has passed a quality inspection, and 
for guaranteeing that all ex -factory gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines 
and aircrafts meet the requirements of this  Standard and are traceable. This  
department of the manufacturer should be responsible for the quality of products.  
4.2 The manufacturing factory should take one batch of products to mean gaseous 
breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts that w ere produced in one 
operational shift or produced at the same time as a batch of products. The user should 
take a batch of products to mean the quantity carried by the same lorry or purchased 
in the same lot. According to the requirements set out in Table 3, a random sampling 
inspection should be made for each batch. If any single indicator in the inspection 
result does not meet the requirements set out in this Standard, a double quantity of 
random samples should be taken from the same batch of products, in  order for a 
re-inspection to take place. If any item still does not meet the requirements set out in 
this Standard, the concerned batch of products shall be regarded as non -conforming.  
Table 3   Sampling table  
Product batch (bottle)  1 2~8 9~15  16~25  26~50   51 
No of samples (bottle)  1 2 3 4 5 6 
4.3 For hose -transported oxygen, a sampling inspection should be performed once 
within 4 hours. If any single item does not meeting the requirements of this Standard 
in the inspection results, the product shall be  regarded as non -conforming within these 
4 hours.  
4.4 The inspection of liquid oxygen supplies should be carried out after the liquid 
sample taken from each storage container has evaporated. If any single item does not 
meet the requirements of this Standar d in the inspection results, the product shall be 
regarded as non -conforming.  
4.5 The sampling safety of  gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircrafts should meet the related requirements of GB/T 3863.  
 
5   Test methods  
 
5.1 Test for oxygen  content in gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircrafts  
     This test should be carried out according to the requirements set out in GB/T 
3863.  
5.2 Test for water content in the gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircraf ts 
     This test should be carried out according to the requirements set out in GB/T 5832.2.  
5.3 Test for carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide content in gaseous breathing 
oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts  
5.3.1  Adopt the g as chromatograph  with cu tting procedures, methanation 
converter and hydrogen flame ionised detector (FID) to test the content of carbon 
monoxide and carbon dioxide. Test limit: 0.1 × 10-6. 
5.3.2  The principles and general requirements conform to the stipulations of 
GB/T 8984. Aft er the samples have been prepared, the oxygen signal should be cut off 
first.  
5.4 Test for gaseous acidic substance and gaseous alkaline substance in the breathing 
oxygen supplies for medicines  
5.4.1   Reagents and solutions  
     –– Distilled water or deio nised water;  
     –– Hydrochloric acid solution: 0.01mol/l;  
     –– 60 × 10-2 ethanol solution;  
     –– 20 × 10-2 ethanol solution;  
     –– Methyl red indicator: 0.2 × 10-2 ethanol solution, which is made by 
dissolving 0.2g of methyl red in 100ml of ethano l (60 × 10-2) solution;  
     –– Bromothymol blue indicator:  0.1 × 10-2 alcohol solution, which is made by 
dissolving 0.1g of bromothymol blue in 100mL of ethanol (20 × 10-2) solution.  
5.4.2   Instruments  
     –– Graduated pipette:  1mL in capacity;  
     –– Munsell gas washing bottle:  100mL in capacity;  
     –– Gas discharge meter;  
     –– Measuring cylinder:  100mL in capacity.  
5.4.3   Tests  
     Use a hose to connect the depressurized gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
medicine with the gas washing bo ttle and gas discharge meter.  Open the gas sample 
to blow off the washing bottle for 1 min. ~ 2 min.  
     Add 0.3mL of methyl red indicator and 0.3mL of bromothymol blue indicator 
into 400mL of distilled water.  Boil it for 5 min., and then cool it down u nder room 
temperature.  Pour 100mL of it into each of the three gas washing bottles, No.1, No. 
2 and No.3.  
     Use a pipette to add 0.20mL of hydrochloric acid solution (0.01mol/L) into 
Bottle No. 2, and add 0.40mL of hydrochloric acid solution (0.01mol/L ) into Bottle 
No. 3.  
     Within 30min. ~ 35min., let 2000mL of oxygen pass through the solution inside 
Bottle No. 2.       Compare the solution colour of Bottle No. 2 with the solution colours of Bottle 
Nos. 1 and 3.  If the solution colour of Bottle No. 2  is not darker than the solution 
colour of Bottle No. 1, it is judged that the gaseous alkaline content  in the gaseous 
breathing oxygen supplies for medicine meets the requirements.  If the solution 
colour of Bottle No. 2 is lighter than the solution colou r of Bottle No. 3, it is judged 
that the gaseous acid content  in the gaseous breathing oxygen supplies meets the 
requirements.  
5.5   Tests of  ozone and other gaseous oxides in the gaseous breathing oxygen 
supplies for medicine  
5.5.1  Reagents and solutions  
     –– Distilled water or deionized water;  
     –– Acetic acid:  Analytically pure.  
     –– Potassium iodide:  Analytically pure.  
     –– Soluble starch:  Analytically pure.  
     –– Blended liquid of starch and potassium iodide:  Dissolve 0.5g of potassi um 
iodide in 95mL of heated water.  After starch is blended with 5mL of cold water, the 
solution is stirred and poured slowly into the boiling potassium iodide solution.  Boil 
the blended liquid for 2 min. ~ 3 min.  
5.5.2   Instruments  
     –– Graduated pip ette:  1mL in capacity;  
     –– Munsell gas washing bottle:  100mL in capacity;  
     –– Gas discharge meter;  
     –– Measuring cylinder:  100mL in capacity.  
5.5.3  Tests  
     Use a hose to connect the depressurised gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
medi cine with the gas washing bottle and gas discharge meter. Open the gas sample to 
blow off the washing bottle for 1 min. - 2 min.  
     Pour 100ml of the newly blended solution of starch and potassium iodide into 
the gas washing bottle, and add in 1 drop of acetic acid.  
     Allow 2000ml of oxygen to pass through the gas washing bottle within 
30-35min.  
     Observe the solution inside the gas washing bottle. If it remains colourless, then 
the inspection of ozone  and other gaseous oxides is deemed to be passed . 
5.6   Odour test  in the gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine  
     To carry out the odour test, make a small opening in the bottle valve and use the 
nose to smell the contents: no peculiar odours should be emitted.  
5.7   Test for total hydrocarb on content in gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
medicines       This test is performed according to Subsection 3 of GB 8984.3 -1997.  
5.8   Test for solid substances in gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine  
5.8.1  Method  
     This test is carried out using the filter -paper sampling weighing method. Allow 
a certain volume of the sample to pass through the powder and dust collector with 
filter paper. Based on the volume of the gas sample having passed through the filter 
paper, and the difference in m ass before and after the gas passes through the filter 
paper, the contents of solid substance can be calculated. The grain size is measured 
using a microscope.  
5.8.2   Instruments and materials  
     –– Accumulated gas discharge meter;  
     –– Powder and du st collector, as shown in Figure 1;  
     –– Filter paper: extremely fine glass -fibre filter paper or polypropylene 
synthetic -fibre filter paper. After the gas has passed through the filter paper, there 
should be no solid substance gre ater than 1m (1m inclusive) found in the gas.  
 
                                   1 – filter paper;  
                                   2 – metal net;  
                                   3 – filter paper clamper  
 
 
  Figure 1   Powder and dust collector  
5.8.3   Preparation before analysis  
     Wash the powder and dust collector and allow it to dry.  
     Cut the filter paper into a circular shape and weigh it (accuracy to 0.1mg).  
Next, place it in the filter paper clamper. Prevent any powder, dust or other impurities 
(e.g. water) from coming into contact with the weighed filter paper.  
     Use a hose free of powder, dust or water to correctly connect the steel bottle 
holding the sample, the powder and dust collector as well as the discharge metre.  
5.8.4    A nalysis  
     Open the steel bottle containing the gas sample. Adjust the discharging speed 
within the rated value of the discharge meter.  
     After the gas sample has passed through the filter paper for over 1m3, remove 
the filter paper and weigh it (accu racy to 0.1mg). The difference between the relative 
humidity of the balance room and the relative humidity of filter paper measured at the 
first time should not exceed 100 ×10-2. 
5.8.5   Calculating the result  
     Calculate solid substances in the oxygen according to equation (1):  m2 – m1 
X1 = --------------   ……………………………….. (1)  
V 
In the equation:  
X1 –– content of solid substance, mg/m3; 
m1 –– mass of filter paper before taking sample, mg;  
m2 –– mass of filter paper after taking sample, mg;  
V –– volume of s ample converted to be under 15oC and 101.3kPa, m3. 
5.9   Test of the grain size of solid substances  
     Place the weighed filter paper indicated in Subsection 5.8 under a microscope 
for 40 times magnification. Observe the filter paper; there should be no grains greater 
than 100m.  
 
6   Packaging, marking, storage and transportation  
 
6.1   General requirements  
6.1.1   The general requirements for the packaging, storage, transportation and 
marking of gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircra fts should be 
implemented according to the related requirements set out in GB/T 3863.  
6.1.2   This Standard forbids the use of fluoroplastics or other materials that have 
not passed the inspection made by the medical supervision authorities in the 
producti on of piston -sealed compressors to carry out the compressed filling or 
pressurised transportation.  
6.1.3   Regarding the filling facilities for gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for 
medicines and aircrafts: there should be a dedicated package container, tr ansportation 
channel, warehouse etc., all of which must clearly indicate that the oxygen is for 
medical -use. It is forbidden to use any container that originally held any other gas to 
hold gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine.  
6.1.4  The locations  for the filling, storage and use of gaseous breathing oxygen 
supplies for medicines and aircrafts should be well -ventilated. Strictly monitor and 
control the oxygen content of the worksite at below 23%.  
6.1.5  The production enterprise should implement bar  code information 
management for gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts, and 
establish the records and files for each link, such as filling, inspection, delivery, etc., 
so as to enable the traceability of the safety, quality, etc. of  the gaseous breathing 
oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts.  
6.2   Filling  
6.2.1   The filling safety manager and filing operator of the gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts should possess professional knowledge, 
and hold th e certificates of special equipment operator.  
6.2.2   Before filling, the outer surface of all containers should be individually 
cleaned and inspected. Ensure the remaining gas and pressure, water pressure period, 
mark, indication, etc. If the gas bottle c omes under any of the following circumstances, 
filling is strictly prohibited:  
     –– The steel seal mark, colour mark, or the marking of the gaseous breathing 
oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts do not meet the requirements;  
     –– The ambocepto r of contents is not confirmed, or there is no remaining 
pressure;  
     –– The deadline for the water pressure test of the bottle has expired;  
     –– It is oil stained;  
     –– Damage is obviously visible on the gas bottle and further inspection is 
requir ed. The attachments are incomplete or partly damaged.  
6.2.3   For new storage containers or those with no remaining pressure, once the 
water pressure test has been passed and before being filled with gaseous oxygen for 
the first time, the bottle must be ev acuated, dried and displaced.  
6.2.4   Gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts should be 
filled using a reliable hose, and should not be mixed up with the filling of industrial 
gas. 
6.2.5  The filling of liquid breathing oxygen supplies  for medicines and aircrafts 
should meet the requirements of the corresponding low -temperature container.  
Excessive filling is strictly forbidden. The filled volume is weighed in mass. The 
weighing balance should pass standard inspections.  
6.2.6   When ga seous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine and aircraft are 
subjected to circumstances of 20oC and 101.3kPa , the volume should be calculated 
according to the method specified in Annex B of GB/T 3863.  
6.2.7   Upon the completion of filling, the package co ntainer should be carefully 
inspected for any leakages, and to check whether the outer surface is clean and has no 
dirt. The mouth of the gas bottle should be sterilised and a bottle cover and bottle cap 
should be fitted (with the exception of containers w ith a protective shell) and 
anti-vibration ring (with the exception of bulk packaging).  
6.2.8   The inspection record before filling, the filling operation record, and the 
inspection and re -inspection records after filling should be completely kept safely for 
future reference.  The contents of all records should include at least: container code, 
capacity, filled volume, filling batch, abnormality, filling date, inspector, and the name 
or code of filler, etc.  
6.3   Storage, transportation and marking  6.3.1   The gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine and aircraft should be 
stored in the designated warehouses. Empty bottles and filled bottles should be tidily 
stored in separated zones indicated as such with clear markings.  
6.3.2   Gaseous breathing oxy gen supplies for medicines and aircrafts stored in 
warehouses should be clearly indicated with these words, “breathing oxygen for 
medicine,” “breathing oxygen for aircraft.” The warehouse should be ventilated, dry, 
free of oil stains, and there should be n o direct sunlight. The ground is strictly 
restricted from being paved with asphalt.  There should be no ditch and secret tunnel 
on the ground.  The number of stored bottles should meet the related safety 
requirements.  
6.3.3   In the locations for the stora ge, transportation and use of gaseous breathing 
oxygen supplies for medicine and aircraft, there should be no appearance of any 
naked fire, heat source or fire source. Obvious warning signs should be clearly 
displayed.  
6.3.4   The gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts should not 
be co -stored or co -transported with any other gases, such as industrial gas, 
combustible and inflammable substance, toxic substance, corrosive substance, 
radioactive substance, and so on.  In summer, the tran sportation should be attached 
with the facilities sheltering from sunshine, and the exposure to sunlight should be 
avoided.  
6.3.5   The bottles of gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts 
should be placed and arranged tidily. When plac ed vertically, they should be fixed 
well to prevent them from falling. When placed horizontally, their top -sides should all 
face in the same direction.  
6.3.6   The transportation of gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicins and 
aircrafts by vehicle (s hip) should avoid the daytime period and the city centre 
locations. The carriers are restricted from being parked or anchored around 
prosperous city areas and densely populated districts. The transportation should 
strictly comply with the requirements of D angerous Goods Transportation 
Regulations.  
6.3.7   The gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and aircrafts should be 
lightly filled and lightly placed. Any throwing, sliding, rolling or bumping of them is 
prohibited.  
6.3.8   The locations of gase ous breathing oxygen supplies for medicines and 
aircrafts should be prepared with sufficient water, fire -fighting equipment and safe 
passage for the entrance and exit of fire engines and fire fighters.  
6.3.9   On the storage and transportation containers o f gaseous breathing oxygen 
supplies for medicine and aircraft, the following words should be clearly indicated: “breathing oxygen for medicine,” “breathing oxygen for aircraft.”  
6.3.10   The validity of gaseous breathing oxygen supplies for medicine and ai rcraft 
is normally 1 year.  
6.3.11   All safety warnings should meet the related requirements of GB/T 3863.  
 
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