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Drive medical was notified of an incident involving an oxygen concentrator by the provider who reported the device had fire damage that was in an end user's home.There was no report or evidence of illness, serious injury or medical treatment associated with the complaint.The device was returned for evaluation.Upon evaluation, the device exhibited thermal damage to the exterior of the device.There was no thermal damage of any internal components.The device had evidence of being operated in an area where tobacco was in use.The device's internal hoses, grommet, intake filter and intake compartment were discolored and the device had a tobacco smoke odor when it was in operation.The device was tested and was found to be operational and within design specifications.It is believed the fire originated from an external source and traveled to the outlet port of the device via the cannula tubing.The metal outlet fitting prevented fire ingress to the device since it does not provide the necessary fuel for the fire to continue upstream into the internal oxygen gas path.The device contains several warnings against smoking during use, both on the product itself and in instructions for use.The on-product warnings include a large, clear "no smoking" icon, and a clear "no open flame" icon as well.The instructions for use warn against smoking during use in several places, in several languages, including the following verbiage: "oxygen causes rapid burning.Do not smoke while your oxygen concentrator is operating, or when you are near a person utilizing oxygen therapy.Smoking during oxygen therapy is dangerous and is likely to result in facial burns or death.Do not allow smoking within the same room where the oxygen concentrator or any oxygen carrying accessories are located.If you intend to smoke, you must always turn the oxygen concentrator off, remove the cannula and leave the room where either the cannula or mask or the oxygen concentrator is located.If unable to leave the room, you must wait 10 minutes after you have turned off the oxygen concentrator before smoking.Oxygen makes it easier for a fire to start and spread.Do not leave the nasal cannula or mask on bed coverings or chair cushions if the oxygen concentrator is turned on but not in use.The oxygen will make the materials flammable.Turn the oxygen concentrator off when not in use to prevent oxygen enrichment.Keep the oxygen concentrator and cannula at least 2 m (6.5 feet) from hot, sparking objects or naked sources of flame.Open flames during oxygen therapy are dangerous and are likely to result in fire or death.Do not allow open flames within 2 m (6.5 feet) of the oxygen concentrator or any oxygen carrying accessories.Drive medical oxygen concentrators are equipped with a fire mitigating outlet fitting that prevents propagation of fire into the unit." the manufacturer concludes, based on the information provided, that the oxygen concentrator did not malfunction, and the abnormal use with disregard of product warnings against smoking during use caused the adverse event.Drive medical will file an update if additional information becomes available.
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