Servicing & Maintenance
On-Site & Postal Servicing
Expert maintenance and repair for all R A Medical equipment — carried out by experienced engineers to OEM specifications, using genuine replacement parts.
Two Ways to Get Serviced
Choose the option that suits your practice schedule best.
On-Site Servicing
Our field engineers visit your practice to carry out servicing and safety checks on-site \u2014 minimising downtime and disruption to your schedule.
- Annual service and safety inspections
- Calibration and hypoxic guard testing
- Leak testing and pipeline checks
- Pre-installation site surveys
- Emergency repair calls
- Full service documentation provided
Postal Servicing
Can't wait for an engineer? Send your flowmeter to us directly. We can arrange collection or you can post it to our workshop.
- Full strip-down, clean, and inspection
- Calibration and safety testing to OEM spec
- Replacement of worn or failed components
- Full test certificate issued on completion
- Equipment returned by secure courier
- 3 working day standard turnaround
Step-by-Step
Preparing Your Stand for Posting
Follow these steps to safely prepare your equipment for postal servicing.
01
Remove Accessories
Detach all breathing system components, sundries, and cylinders. Store safely.
02
Disconnect Hoses
Use an adjustable spanner to disconnect supply hoses from the rear of the MDM and regulators on the underside of the yoke.
03
Detach MDM Head
Release the silver locking nut from the bottom of the MDM. Support the MDM head weight and twist the mounting column clockwise until it falls free.
04
Remove Base
Knock the 5-pronged base off the bottom of the stand column with a hammer or blunt object. Keep it safe with the sundries.
05
Packaging
Place packaging piece A on the left side of the yoke, piece B on the right. Insert heavy side down into the box first. Place piece C on the column at the top and seal.
06
Contact Us
When the box is sealed, contact us to arrange collection. We will confirm receipt and expected completion date.
DIY Guide
Yoke Removal (PMP)
Tools required: Adjustable spanner, Imperial Allen key \u215c", Pliers. Two people recommended.
Removing the Yoke Assembly
Remove all breathing system and sundries plus cylinders and store in a safe location.
Detach the supply hoses from the rear of the MDM and the regulators on the underside of the Yoke using an Adjustable spanner.
Remove MDM head from the mounting column: release the silver locking nut from the bottom of the MDM, then support the MDM weight with one hand and twist the mounting column clockwise until it falls free.
Loosen the ⅜" grub screws at the rear of the Yoke assembly located between the cylinder attachment points. With both screws loose, the yoke should spin on the stand column.
On the mounting column there is a Circlip that stops the column falling into the stand column. While holding the mounting column, remove the Circlip and keep within reach.
Person 1 holds the mounting column. Person 2 lifts the Yoke assembly up until Person 1 can grip the mounting column under the Yoke assembly. Person 2 then lifts the Yoke off the mounting column.
Person 1 puts the Circlip back on (not all the way but enough to stop the column falling through the stand column).
Attaching the Yoke
Lift and hold the mounting column, then remove the Circlip.
Place the other Yoke down over the mounting column in reverse order to removal (two people required).
Put Circlip back on to secure the Yoke to the mounting column.
Align Yoke with cylinder restraint and rear base leg, then tighten the 2 Grub screws.
Reattach the MDM to the mounting column — support the weight of the head with one hand, twist the mounting column anti-clockwise into the bottom of the MDM and tighten the locking nut.
Attach the supply hoses to the Regulators first and then to the rear of the MDM. They only need to be just beyond hand tight to avoid damaging the fittings.
OEM Authorised
Factory-Trained Service Partners
R A Medical is the appointed OEM service provider for Porter Instruments and Accutron \u2014 trained directly at their factories in the USA.
Accutron
Authorised Service Provider since 2012
In February 2012, Accutron Inc confirmed R A Medical Services as their OEM Service Provider and Distributor for the UK and Ireland, following factory training at their facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
A further training visit in November 2018 added maintenance of the Accutron Digital Ultra Flowmeter to our supported products. We offer service and support on the full Accutron range including the Ultra Flowmeter, Mobile 4 cylinder stand, Newport flowmeter, and the Clearview disposable nasal hoods.
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Parker by Porter
Authorised Distributor & Service Provider since 1996
R A Medical Services has been the OEM-appointed Distributor and Service Provider for Porter Instruments since 1996. Over that period, many visits have been made to the factory in Hatfield, Philadelphia for updates on products and service training.
The latest factory visit was June 2019. Covid interrupted these visits, but they resumed in 2023. Products supported include the Quantiflex MDM, Porter Brown Breathing System, MXR Flowmeter, and the full range of Parker by Porter sedation equipment.
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Statement from Porter Instrument
Authorised Servicing for Porter Products
“Porter products may only be serviced by trained and authorized distributors. Porter does not sell products, parts, or components direct to end user facilities. All items are sold through authorized distributors. R A Medical is our authorized distributor for the UK and Ireland.”
Mike Civitello
Sales Manager, Porter Instrument, Precision Fluidics Division
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my equipment serviced?
Equipment should be serviced according to the original manufacturer recommendation. In the U.K. this usually means one service visit per annum. Frequency of machine use may indicate six monthly service intervals. Medical gas hose assemblies are also inspected for wear and damage and replaced if necessary.
Do I need a pipeline check?
Where the flowmeter head is connected to a medical gas pipeline system it may be subject to variance in operating pressures. Flowmeters can be damaged by unstable regulators delivering incorrect or fluctuating psi (pounds per square inch). Our engineers carry out a leak and pressure check, also thoroughly inspecting the regulators for wear or damage, replacing where necessary. Ref: MDA/2003/016 – Medical gas regulators and flowmeters.
How do I organise a service visit?
When a request to attend the machine is received, the details are passed to our Service Coordinator. She will then identify the next available date in your area. Contact will be made, offering details of date and approximate time of day. Every endeavour is made to accommodate specific requests with regard to time of day and day of week, wherever possible. Following the service, an automatic annual visit will then be offered, unless otherwise instructed.
Should I have my machine serviced?
Yes — your R A machine is a ‘life-critical’ unit and should be treated as such. After all, you wouldn’t drive your car without checking the brakes, oil etc from time to time! An annual service of your R A flowmeter and any associated items such as a four cylinder stand or pipeline system will keep all functions in good working order including calibration and the hypoxic guard.
Speak to our service team
Whether on-site or postal, our team can advise on the best option for your equipment and current wait times.