What type of gases does a bulk system primarily supply?

A bulk gas system is typically designed to supply large quantities of medical gases essential for various clinical applications, especially in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The primary gases that are supplied by a bulk system are oxygen and nitrous oxide, as these are critical for patient care. Oxygen is fundamental for respiratory support and nitrous oxide is used for sedation and analgesia during medical procedures.

When considering other gases, inert gases, compressed air, and specialty gases are often supplied from different types of systems or smaller cylinders rather than bulk storage. Inert gases, for example, are not primarily used for medical purposes in usual practices, while compressed air is typically generated on-site for pneumatic equipment rather than stored in bulk. Specialty gases cater to specific needs and are utilized in limited quantities, thus do not require a bulk supply system. This distinction highlights why oxygen and nitrous oxide stand out as the main gases supplied by bulk systems in medical environments.