Any system that has been breached is required to have a medical gas inspection performed. What constitutes a breached system? Systems are deemed to have been breached at the point of pipeline intrusion by physical separation or by system component removal, replacement or addition.
If the removal of components from a source system is necessary for repair and re-installation, or the replacement of components requires cutting and/or brazing, then testing of the system is required prior to being put back into service for patient use.
Even if no cutting or brazing is required, it is still necessary to verify the function of the replaced device and all other equipment that may have been affected by the replacement.
What does this mean? If any component of a medical gas source system requires removal and repair or replacement, you are required to perform general function testing; but that’s not all that is required. The equipment being repaired or replaced must be tested according to the specific test requirement for that system. Example; if a medical air system is being worked on and has a component removed and repaired or replaced then the medical air system must be tested according to the testing requirements for a medical air system, and the same goes for any other system.
Who should perform the medical gas system testing? NFPA 99C requires all testing be done by an ASSE 6030, Professional Qualifications Standards for Medical Gas Systems Verifier.
Why is this required? Requirements set forth by the NFPA 99C and other authorities having jurisdiction are meant to ensure patient safety. Since patient safety is the number one priority at all healthcare facilities, all necessary precautions should be taken during and after critical repairs or replacements in any medical gas system.
