Mar 132013
 

 

 

The other standard is written by National Fire Protection Association, NFPA99. In this standard which in near future will be considered as code, the gases used in medical industry are subdivided into three categories for 2005 and four in 2012. The categories are based on level of  injuries or death that is caused during the operations:

NFPA99- 2005

Gas and Vacuum Systems
Level  1 “System serving patients where an interruption of the piped gas or vacuum system would place patients in imminent danger of morbidity or mortality.” In other words, Facilities where an interruption of the piped systems would place the patients in immediate danger of morbidity or mortality. This is usually limited to hospitals where patients are dependent for life on the gases or where mechanical ventilation is utilized at any time.

Section 5.1

Level 2 “Interruption of system would place patient at manageable risk of morbidity or mortality.” In other words: Facilities where an interruption in the piped systems would place the patients at manageable risk of morbidity or mortality. This is limited to facilities that stand apart from hospitals, are not interconnected to hospital medical gases, and the patients do not require mechanical ventilation or assisted mechanical ventilation, including during anesthesia

Section 5.2

Level 3 Interruption of system would terminate procedure but would not put patient at risk.” Facilities where interruptions in the piped systems would terminate procedures but would not place the patients at risk of morbidity or mortality. The facility’s total quantity of gases, except nitrogen, does not exceed 3,000 cubic feet, and only cylinders are used to supply oxygen and nitrous oxide to the facility (exception for cryogenic liquid oxygen). This is usually limited to occupancies like dental offices.

Section 5.3

Level 4 In NFPA 2012 not in 2005

 

 

 

 

The Other code is the Uniform Plumbing Code, Chapter 13 that controls the medical gas design and installation.

 

 

Table 13-3 MINIMUM OUTLETS/INLETS PER STATION

LOCATION

OXYGEN

MEDICAL 

MEDICAL 

NITROUS 

NITROGEN

HELIUM

CARBON 

VACUUM

AIR

OXIDE

DIOXIDE

4. Vacuum inlets required are in addition to any inlets used as part of a scavenging system for removal of anesthetizing gases.
Patient rooms for medical/surgical, obstetrics, and pediatrics 1/bed 1/bed 1/bed
Examination/treatment for nursing units 1/bed 1/bed
Intensive care (all) 3/bed 3/bed 2/bed
Nursery- Includes pediatric nursery. 2/bed 2/bed 1/bed
General operating rooms 2/room 3/room4 2/room 1/room 1/room
Cytoscopic and invasive special procedures 2/room 3/room4 2/room
Recovery delivery and labor/delivery/recovery rooms- Includes obstetric recovery. 2/bed 2/bed 1/bed
2/room 3/room4 1/room
Labor rooms 1/bed 1/bed 1/bed
First aid and emergency treatment- Emergency trauma rooms used for surgical procedures shall be classified as general operating rooms. 1/bed 1/bed4 1/bed
Autopsy 1/station 1/station
Anesthesia workroom 1/station 1/station

 

 

 

TABLE 13-5 OUTLET RATING FOR VACUUM PIPING SYSTEMS

 

FREE-AIR ALLOWANCE, EXPRESSED AS CFM (LPM) AT 1 ATMOSPHERE

ZONE ALLOWANCES CORRIDORS-RISERS MAIN SUPPLY LINE-VALVES

LOCATION OF MEDICAL-SURGICAL VACUUM OUTLETS

PER ROOM

PER OUTLET

SIMULTANEOUS USAGE, FACTOR PERCENT

AIR TO BE TRANSPORTED CFM (LPM)- Free air at 1 atmosphere

Operating Rooms
Major “A” (Radical, Open Heart)

3.5 (99.1)

100

3.5 (99.1)

(Organ Transplant)

3.5 (99.1)

100

3.5 (99.1)

(Radical Thoracic)

3.5 (99.1)

100

3.5 (99.1)

Major “B”(All Other Major ORs)

2.0 (56.6)

100

2.0 (56.6)

Minor

1.0 (28.3)

100

1.0 (28.3)

Delivery Rooms

1.0 (28.3)

100

1.0 (28.3)

Recovery Rooms (Post-Anesthesia) and Intensive Care Units (a minimum of 2 outlets per bed in each such department)
1st outlet at each bed

3.0 (85.0)

50

1.5 (42.5)

2nd outlet at each bed

1.0 (28.3)

50

0.5 (14.2)

3rd outlet at each bed

1.0 (28.3)

10

0.1 (2.8)

All others at each bed

1.0 (28.3)

10

0.1 (2.8)

Emergency Rooms

1.0 (28.3)

100

1.0 (28.3)

Patient Rooms
Surgical

1.0 (28.3)

50

0.5 (14.2)

Medical

1.0 (28.3)

10

0.1 (2.8)

Nurseries

1.0 (28.3)

10

0.1 (2.8)

Treatment and Examining Rooms

0.5 (14.2)

10

0.05 (1.4)

Autopsy Area

2.0 (56.6)

20

0.4 (11.3)

Inhalation Therapy, Central Supply and Instructional Areas

1.0 (28.3)

10

0.1 (2.8)

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