There should never be any smoking around the use of medical oxygen. It presents a tremendous combustion risk. No Smoking signs must be posted to communicate the danger of smoking near oxygen use. When a No Smoking sign is posted, it indicates no smoking within 25 feet of the sign.

No Smoking signs in DME firms impact two key areas:

- The company's premises and vehicles

- Patients’ homes

In a DME warehouse, No Smoking signs must be posted on all the entrances to oxygen storage areas. This means all entry doors must be marked. There also must be No Smoking signs near all oxygen storage areas. It’s preferred to be above the storage.  

DME delivery vehicles are not required by the DOT to have No Smoking signs posted in or on them. However, DOT states that there should be no smoking within 25 feet of a vehicle loaded with class 5 hazardous materials, which oxygen qualifies. It’s recommended to post No Smoking signs inside and outside of these delivery vehicles.  

At a patient’s home, all entryways must be marked with No Smoking signs. Equipment such as concentrators should have a small No-Smoking sign or sticker attached to it. Accreditation companies such as The Joint Commission require these signs to be posted to meet their standards.

If you have any questions, contact us at info@applied-inc.com.