On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot Error FC-006 on the 3M Bair Hugger 775 Series patient warming system. FC-006 indicates hose end sensor 3 is shorted and may be caused by a hose fault, damaged hose end sensor path, elbow sensor issue, moisture, contamination, or a device-level sensor circuit problem.
Because this fault involves temperature sensing, the unit should not be trusted for controlled patient warming until the problem is corrected and the warmer passes functional testing.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Remove the Bair Hugger 775 from patient use if FC-006 appears during clinical use.
- Do not troubleshoot the warmer while it is actively warming a patient.
- If warming therapy is still needed, have clinical staff move the patient to another approved warming device.
- Do not continue using the unit with an active or recurring hose sensor fault.
- Allow the unit and hose to cool before handling if the warmer was recently in use.
Verify the Reported Error and Behavior
- Confirm the exact displayed error is FC-006.
- Ask staff when the error appeared, such as during startup, during warming, after hose movement, after cleaning, or intermittently during use.
- Power the unit on in a safe non-patient-use setting and observe whether FC-006 returns.
- Document whether the fault is constant, intermittent, or only appears when the hose is moved.
Check the Hose Connection
- Confirm the hose is fully seated at the warming unit.
- Inspect the hose connection for looseness, twisting, pinching, or stress at the connection point.
- Remove and reseat the hose if appropriate.
- Power cycle the unit and check whether FC-006 clears.
Inspect the Hose for Damage or Contamination
- Inspect the full hose assembly from the unit connection to the patient end.
- Look for cracked hose sections, kinks, crushed areas, loose parts, or damaged patient-end hose components.
- Check for liquid intrusion, moisture, cleaning residue, or contamination near the hose end sensor area.
- Do not return the hose to use if it is damaged, wet, contaminated, or physically unreliable.
Check for Hose End Sensor Failure
- Focus on the patient-end hose sensor path because FC-006 points to hose end sensor 3 being shorted.
- Inspect the patient-end hose area for obvious damage or loose sensor-related parts.
- Gently move the hose while observing whether the error appears, clears, or changes.
- If available, install a known-good compatible hose and retest the unit.
- If FC-006 clears with a known-good hose, replace the original hose assembly according to facility process.
Check for Elbow Sensor Fault
- If the hose does not resolve the issue, inspect the elbow sensor fault path.
- Check the elbow area for damage, looseness, contamination, moisture, or signs of liquid exposure.
- Confirm the elbow assembly is properly seated and not physically damaged.
- Retest the unit after verifying the elbow-related connection and condition.
Isolate Hose vs Device Fault
- Use substitution with a known-good hose when available.
- If the error follows the hose, replace the hose.
- If the error remains on the unit with a known-good hose, suspect an internal sensor circuit or elbow sensor-related device fault.
- Do not keep replacing external parts if the same fault remains with known-good accessories.
Verify Operation After Corrective Action
- After replacing or correcting the hose, connection, or elbow sensor path, retest the warmer.
- Confirm FC-006 does not return during startup or warm-up.
- Verify normal operation in applicable temperature modes.
- Perform required calibration or verification after sensor-related repair according to facility process.
- Return the device to service only after it passes testing and the fault does not return.
If the Problem Persists
If FC-006 remains after checking the hose connection, hose condition, patient-end hose sensor area, known-good hose substitution, and elbow sensor fault path, the common external causes have been ruled out.
A persistent FC-006 may indicate a device-level sensor circuit fault or internal failure condition.
The device should be removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent for repair or bench evaluation.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot FC-006 on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup warming device first if warming therapy is needed. A patient warming system with an unresolved sensor fault should not be trusted for controlled heat delivery.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"3M Bair Hugger 775 Series displayed Error FC-006 Hose End Sensor 3 Shorted during use/startup and was removed from patient use."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Confirmed FC-006 fault. Inspected hose connection, hose condition, patient-end hose sensor area, and elbow sensor path. Fault appeared related to hose assembly, elbow sensor path, or internal sensor circuit depending on substitution testing."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed unit from service, reseated and inspected hose, checked for damage or contamination, tested with known-good hose if available, replaced faulty hose or serviced elbow sensor path as indicated, completed calibration/functional verification, and returned to service only after FC-006 cleared."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
FC-006 should be treated as a real temperature-sensing fault until proven otherwise. Start with patient safety, verify the exact error, check the hose and simple external causes first, then isolate the hose, elbow sensor path, or device. If the fault persists after common checks, remove the warmer from service and escalate for repair. Good documentation protects the patient, the technician, and the next person troubleshooting the device.
That is successful troubleshooting.