Before a Medical Gas System can be put into operation it must first be verified. Although the term certification is technically incorrect, it has been widely used throughout the Medical Gas Industry.

 

Everyone in the healthcare industry who is directly involved with medical gas and vacuum systems should know the qualifications necessary to perform a verification and should posses a general knowledge of the correct process.

 

The 2005 Edition NFPA 99, Standard on Healthcare Facilities requires individuals to meet the requirements of ASSE 6030, Professional Qualifications Standards for Medical Gas Systems Verifiers. The credentialed verifier should be able to produce an ID card showing this credential.

 

Before verification of any medical gas or vacuum system is completed, the credentialed installer must have first completed all of the necessary Installer Performed Tests (For details of these tests you can see our previous E-News article, or refer to the 2005 edition of NFPA 99).

 

Standing Pressure Test allows the verifier to confirm that piping systems have no leaks after closing the source valve and all zone valves for 10 minutes.

 

Cross Connection Test confirms that the correct gas or vacuum is being dispensed from the correct medical gas outlet or inlet.

 

Valve Test confirms proper operation and rooms or areas controlled.

 

An Alarm Test for all Area and Master Alarms is conducted to check that each NFPA required alarm functions properly.

 

In order to remove any traces of particulate matter in the pipelines as a result of construction, a Piping Purge Test is completed. The test requires the verifier to purge each outlet at a flow of 8 SCFM until the outlet shows no discoloration on a white cloth.

 

The cleanliness of each positive pressure gas system is verified by performing a Piping Particulate Test. 35ft³ of gas is filtered through a clean white .45 micron filter at a minimum flow rate of 3.5 SCFM. Twenty five percent of the zones must be tested at the outlet most remote from the source. If any outlet fails the test, every zone must be tested.

 

Total hydrocarbons (excluding methane) and halogenated hydrocarbons must be below 5 parts per million. The Piping Purity Test is performed at the outlet most remote from the source. Once a sample is taken it is usually sent to a laboratory for analysis. The second part of this test is to confirm that the dew point from the outlet does not exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit at 50 PISG.

 

The Final Tie-In Test is conducted prior to the connection of any work to an existing piping system. Each joint in the final connection between the new work and the existing system must be leak tested.

 

Before the new work is used for patient care, an Operational Pressure Test must be conducted for positive pressure gases. The test determines if each gas is being dispensed at the proper pressure and flow rate.

 

A Medical Gas Concentration Test is performed next to verify that the concentration of each gas being dispensed meets the following requirements: at or above 97% oxygen, at or above 99% nitrous oxide, less than 1% oxygen or 99% nitrogen and 19.5% to 23.5% oxygen for medical air.

 

The Medical Air Purity Test is conducted when medical air is present to determine if the following conditions are met. Dew point must be less than 35 degrees Fahrenheit, carbon monoxide does not exceed 10 parts per million, carbon dioxide does not exceed 500 parts per million, gaseous hydrocarbons do not exceed 25 parts per million as methane and halogenated hydrocarbons do not exceed 2 parts per million.

 

Labeling is verified for presence and correctness for all components of the piped medical gas and vacuum system.

 

Source Equipment Verification is conducted on all Gas Supply Sources, Medical Air Compressor Systems and Medical-Surgical Vacuum Systems before they are put into service.

 

Knowing the verification process will help determine if the verification is being performed correctly. By performing the verification as per NFPA 99 requirements, you can be sure that patients will receive the quality care from the facility that they expect to receive.

 

By:

 

Jay D’Agostino

ASSE 6020 Medical Gas Inspector

ASSE 6030 Medical Gas Systems Verifier

Vice President of Operations