We all know the importance of installing and maintaining medical gas systems correctly, but how do you know what is correct? For the medical gas industry NFPA 99 sets forth codes, standards, recommended practices and guides which usually change or are updated every three years.
It is for this reason that I write these articles each and every week. The constantly evolving NFPA 99 is undoubtedly one of the most important documents in the healthcare industry for manufacturers of medical gas equipment, engineers who design medical gas systems, facility personnel who maintain medical gas systems, contractors who install and service medical gas systems and anyone else involved in the industry.
On February 7th, 2005 the 2005 edition of NFPA 99 was adopted as an American National Standard and is followed by many of the Authorities Having Jurisdiction. The scope of the document is “to establish criteria to minimize the hazards of fire, explosion, and electricity in healthcare facilities providing services to human beings”.
There will be a new 2010 edition of NFPA 99, which will most likely be published late in 2009. Although the latest editions are rarely followed as soon as they are published, the 2010 edition should prove to be an invaluable tool since there are many positive changes.
In this ever changing industry, NFPA 99 remains steadfast in its commitment to provide safety to patients and staff alike. It is our responsibility to make certain that we pledge that same commitment.
To finish out the four week dedication to changes from the 2002 edition to the 2005 edition I offer the following:
In the 2005 edition there is a new requirement when installing vacuum tubing. The 2005 edition allows the use of ASTM B 88, ASTM B 280 and ASTM B 819 copper tubing, however, the code now states that if the tubing is being installed along with any medical gas tubing and does not meet the requirements for medical gas systems (ASTM B 819 copper tubing), the tubing must be labeled or otherwise identified prior to installation so that it does not inadvertently get used for a positive pressure medical gas system.
