Are things really getting done correctly?

If you install medical gas systems or have someone work in your facility that installs medical gas systems please read on....

Would you have your car repaired by a mechanic that never worked on a car? Would you go to a Dentist who never worked on teeth? Would you get surgery from a Surgeon who never performed surgery? No, of course not, so why would you perform a medical gas installation without first having the credential that allows you to do so? Or a better question might be, why would you let someone install a medical gas system in your facility without checking their credentials?
 
NFPA 99, Standard for Healthcare Facilities, 2005 Edition, requires Installers of medical gas and vacuum systems to meet the requirements of ASSE 6010, Professional Qualification Standard for Medical Gas Systems Installers.The American Society of Sanitary Engineering or ASSE, indicates that certification requirements be through a recognized third party certification agency. The NITC is one such agency, although others may exist. If you currently install medical gas systems, you are required to obtain this credential to do so. If a contractor is used to perform medical gas system installations, you should be verifying that the PERSON performing the work has this credential. Unlike a master plumbers license (one license covers an entire company), each Medical Gas Installer is required to hold a valid credential for the Installation of Medical Gas Systems.

Obtaining the required credential is an essential part of maintaining code compliance and patient safety. The ASSE requires a minimum of 32 hours of training which includes a written and practical exam which covers the ASSE 6010 Standard as well as NFPA 99-2005. Candidates who wish to obtain this credential are required to have 4 years of documented practical experience with the installation of medical gas piping systems. Although obtaining this credential does not guarantee complete system instalation complaince it does offer some peace of mind in knowing that the Installer has educated him/herself with current code requirements.