The next four weeks will be dedicated to exploring the changes that were made from the 2002 edition of NFPA 99C to the 2005 edition. Although the 2005 edition has been in publication for some time now, not many facilities or AHJ’s (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) follow it yet. However, there are some significant changes in the 2005 edition that may affect you now which you should be aware of. Most likely in September of 2009 there will be a new edition released for 2010 which will also have some significant changes.
Did you know NFPA 99C changed the dew point requirement in 2005?
The current and previous editions of NFPA 99C required all medical air dryers to provide air at a maximum dew point that is below the frost point (32° F) at any level of demand, and that still holds true today. This requirement is of the dryer system itself, not the main medical air line dew point.
The actual dew point of the system is to be taken from the sample port of the medical air system. In previous editions, NFPA 99C required the dew point to be below 39° F. In the 2005 edition, that has changed to below 35° F.
What does that mean for facilities?
That depends on the code each facility is following. If facilities follow codes previous to the 2005 code, nothing needs to be done. If a facility follows the 2005 code, the dew point set point needs to be reset to activate an alarm at 35° F at each master alarm panel. Each dew point monitor manufacturer should have an operation and maintenance manual available that will detail the method of doing so.
Are there any other changes for Dew Point in the 2005 edition?
Yes. Another change for 2005 is that dew point (and CO) monitors are now required to activate their respective alarms at the master alarm panels when the electrical power feeding the monitors fail. This is an important change that will greatly reduce the chance of water damage to equipment when a monitor loses power. Typically if a monitor lost power or was inadvertently unplugged there would be no way for anyone to know it was not working, unless someone physically checked the monitor.
Do you know what year NFPA 99C your facility follows?
Do you know what year the Department of Health follows?
Do you know what year Joint Commission follows?
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