The design and construction criteria for Central Supply System Locations are published in NFPA 99, Standards for Healthcare Facilities, but may differ slightly depending on the edition your facility follows.
One thing in particular that has changed a few times is how to properly secure cylinders for gas central supply systems.
The 1999 Edition of NFPA 99, 4-3.1.1.8* (a) stated that cylinders shall be designed, constructed, tested, and maintained in accordance with 4-3.1.1.1 (a). Cylinders in service shall be adequately secured. Cylinders in storage shall be secured and located to prevent them from falling or being knocked over.
The 2002 Edition of NFPA 99, 5.1.3.3.2* (7) stated that cylinders must be provided with racks, chains, or other fastenings to individually secure all cylinders, whether connected, unconnected, full, or empty, from falling.
After the 2002 Edition was published it became quite difficult for facilities with large systems to individually chain each cylinder. It was very labor intensive and really didn’t make sense since the requirement was really put in place to prevent cylinders from falling. One chain which is properly installed to prevent cylinders from falling achieves what the code originally intended, so in 2005 NFPA decided to change the requirement back.
The 2005 Edition of NFPA 99, 5.1.3.3.2* (7) states that cylinders be provided with racks, chains, or other fastenings to secure all cylinders, whether connected, unconnected, full, or empty, from falling.
In order to determine which method of securing your facility’s cylinders is appropriate, you really need to know which Edition of NFPA 99 your facility follows. Usually you need to follow the edition in its entirety, but in my opinion either method of chaining cylinders meets the intent of the requirement.
