Compliance

NOTE: All references are taken from NFPA 99 – 2012 edition, this is an update from the original post which was made on September 3rd, 2015

There seems to be much confusion over the requirements set out by NFPA 99 for existing facilities vs. those for new construction / renovation work.  The 2012 edition of NFPA 99 has done a great deal to help bring more clarity to this issue.

5.1.1.5 Subsection 5.1.2 through 5.1.12.3.14.5 and 5.1.14.4.2
shall apply to new health care facilities or facilities making
changes that alter the piping.

5.1.1.6 Paragraph 5.1.14.4.3 through 5.1.14.4.9 and 5.1.13
through 5.1.15 shall apply to existing health care facilities.

NOTE: TIA 12-4 from NFPA 99 – 2012 edition changed the wording from 5.1.1.6 and gave (10) paragraphs that apply to existing healthcare facilities.  These are listed below:

5.1.1.6 The following subsections of this chapter shall apply to the operation, management, and maintenance of Category 1 medical gas and vacuum systems in existing facilities:

(1) 5.1.2
(2) 5.1.3.1
(3) 5.1.3.2
(4) 5.1.3.3.1.7
(5) 5.1.3.3.1.8
(6) 5.1.3.3.4
(7) 5.1.3.6.2
(8) 5.1.3.8.5.2
(9) 5.1.14
(10) 5.1.15

NFPA 99 doesn’t mention a specific schedule for medical gas outlet testing on existing outlets, it just says periodic.  The healthcare facility will need to make a policy that says how often the med gas outlets get checked (i.e. every three years etc) and adhere to that.

The section of NFPA 99 that specifies all outlets / inlets must be checked falls under the new construction / renovation portion.  (5.1.5* Station Outlets/Inlets & 5.1.12.3 System Verification)  These requirements as they are written in 5.1.5 & 5.1.12.3 are not intended to be applied to existing healthcare facilities.

The medical gas outlet testing section for 5.1.14 is as follows:

5.1.14.2 Maintenance of Medical Gas, Vacuum, WAGD, and
Medical Support Gas Systems.
5.1.14.2.1* General. Health care facilities with installed medical
gas, vacuum,WAGD, or medical support gas systems, or combinations
thereof, shall develop and document periodic maintenance
programs for these systems and their subcomponents as appropriate
to the equipment installed.

5.1.14.2.3.1 General. The elements in 5.1.14.2.2.2 through
5.1.15 shall be inspected or tested as part of the maintenance
program as follows:
(11)*Station outlets/inlets, as follows:
(a) Flow
(b) Labeling
(c) Latching/delatching
(d) Leaks

Remember that the * next to (11) refers to additional material which is located in the annex  of NFPA 99.  In this case A.5.1.14.2.3.1(11) simply states that the outlets should be inspected for a general condition & be gas specific (noninterchangeable indexing).

Annex material is not enforceable as code and is meant for reference only however, that doesn’t mean that an AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) will not use annex material for a given facility or situation.  Just be aware of the additional requirements located in the annex for this section and take them into consideration when doing your risk assessments and writing your medical gas outlet testing policy.

NOTE: All references taken from NFPA 99 – 2012 edition

We get this question from customers with medical gas manifolds installed outdoors sometimes. NFPA 99 addresses this question directly in chapter 11 where it talks about protecting gas cylinders stored outdoors:

Note: sub-paragraph (3)
11.6.5.4 Cylinders stored in the open shall be protected as
follows:
(1) Against extremes of weather and from the ground beneath
to prevent rusting
(2) During winter, against accumulations of ice or snow
(3) During summer, screened against continuous exposure
to direct rays of the sun in those localities where extreme
temperatures prevail

If you have a gas manifold installed outdoors then you need to ask yourself this question: am I in a location where extreme temperatures prevail?  If the answer is yes then you should take steps to protect those gas cylinders from direct sunlight, if the answer is no then maybe you’re fine.  Keep in mind that the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) will ultimately determine if you’re in a location where extreme temperatures prevail.  It may be worth asking your AHJ what they think if you have the relationship with them where that is feasible.

Sub-paragraph (1) & (2) from this reference should not be ignored either.  Rust on cylinders is a common problem so ensure that your concrete pad is well drained and free of dirt & mud.  Ice & snow buildup can be a major issue in the northern states, being diligent and keeping the pad clear so that it can be navigated by personnel is important after a big snowstorm.

If you have any further questions regarding outdoor cylinder storage or any other aspect of NFPA 99 please give us a call at 1-888-256-EMGS (3647)

There are two types of zone valve references that address labeling in NFPA 99 (2012 edition). One is for new construction projects which is located here:

• 5.1.4.8.8 Zone valves shall be labeled in accordance with 5.1.11.2.
• 5.1.11.2 Shutoff Valves.
• 5.1.11.2.1 Shutoff valves shall be identified with the following:
  (1) Name or chemical symbol for the specific medical gas or
  vacuum system
  (2) Room or areas served
  (3) Caution to not close or open the valve except in emergency
• 5.1.11.2.2 Where positive pressure gas piping systems operate at
  pressures other than the standard gauge pressure of 345 kPa to
  380 kPa (50 psi to 55 psi) or a gauge pressure of 1100 kPa to
  1275 kPa (160 psi to 185 psi) for nitrogen or instrument air, the
  valve identification shall also include the nonstandard operating
  pressure.

The other reference is for existing facilities (which apply during projects such as the annual testing we perform), and that reference is located here:

(NOTE: The * next to Valves indicates that there is additional information available in the annex material. The annex isn’t “technically” enforceable however many inspectors do not seem to care because they enforce items out of the annex all of the time. Zone valves aren’t directly mentioned in this section of chapter 5, just in the annex of chapter 5.)

• 5.1.14.2.3.1 General. The elements in 5.1.14.2.2.2 through
  5.1.15 shall be inspected or tested as part of the maintenance
  program as follows:
  (8)*Valves — labeling

The * refers to:

• A.5.1.14.2.3.1(8) Additional inspections for zone valves include
  the following:
  (1) Locations (relationship to terminals controlled)
  (2) Leaks
  (3) Labeling
  (4) Housekeeping around alarm