Local Medical Gas Alarms

Installation Requirements Local Medical Gas Alarms

There are several types of medical gas alarms in healthcare facilities, in this blog we want to go in-depth into the local alarm systems for medical gas systems.

NFPA 99 2012 states that local alarms shall be installed to monitor the function of the air compressor system(s), medical-surgical vacuum pump system(s), WAGD systems, instrument air systems, and proportioning systems. The signals on these systems shall be permitted to be located as followed. (1) On or in the control panel(s) for the machinery being monitored.
(2) Within a monitoring device (e.g., dew point monitor or carbon monoxide monitor)
(3) On a separate alarm panel(s).

Functions To Be Monitored At Each Local Medical Gas Alarm

The NFPA 99 2012 required the following functions be monitored at each local alarm site:

(1) Backup or lag compressor in operation, to indicate when the primary or lead air compressor is incapable of satisfying the demand of the requirements of the system, except when the medical air system consists of three or more compressors, in which case the backup or lag signal is permitted to energize when the last compressor has been signaled to start

(2) High carbon monoxide level, to indicate when the carbon monoxide level in the medical air system is 10 ppm or higher

(3) Medical air dew point high, to indicate when the line pressure dew point is greater than +2°C (+35°F)

(4) Backup or lag vacuum pump in operation, to indicate when the primary or lead vacuum pump is incapable of satisfying the demand of the requirements of the system, except when the vacuum pump system consists of three or more pumps, in which case the backup or lag signal is permitted to energize when the last pump has been signaled to start

(5) When a central dedicated WAGD producer is provided per 5.1.3.8.1.3, WAGD lag in use with the signal to be manually reset

(6) Instrument air dew point high, to indicate when the line pressure dew point is greater than NEG 30°C (NEG 22°F)