Medical gas systems play a critical role in health-care facilities, providing essential gases such as oxygen and nitrous oxide to support patient care. The design and scheduling of these systems are of utmost importance to improve their functioning, reliability and adherence to safety standards.

In this regard, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) has introduced ASSE 6060, Medical Gas Systems Designer, a certification program to help ensure compliance with standards for medical gas systems. This article explores the key considerations to keep in mind when designing and scheduling medical gas systems and how ASSE 6060 medical gas certification has improved reliability, safety and operational efficiency in health-care facilities.

Designing medical gas systems necessitates a complete understanding of regulatory requirements and industry standards. Consulting with certified medical gas system design professionals can help navigate these regulations effectively. 

Note that the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 99 (2024), Health Care Facilities Code, requires medical gas and vacuum systems to be designed by a party having an ASSE 6060 certification or another qualification deemed sufficient by the health-care facility’s governing body. Having designers and engineers certified to ASSE 6060 is an additional assurance to clients that the designer or engineer is well versed in the NFPA 99 standard. 

That includes its requirements for several noted considerations discussed here, such as patient care areas and zoning, redundant systems, and training and maintenance. 

Compliance with these standards not only demonstrates a commitment to patient safety but also helps health-care facilities avoid penalties and legal issues. While NFPA 99 provides these facilities with a framework to meet regulatory requirements and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, ASSE 6060 certification indicates that a given designer understands the requirements of NFPA 99.

Collaboration with Stakeholders

Effective collaboration with numerous stakeholders is essential during the design and scheduling process. This includes health-care facility administrators, architects, engineers, medical gas contractors and manufacturers’ representatives. 

Involving these stakeholders from the early stages allows for a comprehensive understanding of the facility’s needs, ensuring that the design aligns with the operational requirements and constraints of the facility. 

Collaboration with stakeholders also extends beyond the design and installation phase. Medical gas contractors can offer ongoing support and maintenance services, ensuring the system’s long-term performance and compliance. Regular maintenance, testing and training protocols can be established with stakeholders to guarantee the system’s reliability and adherence to regulatory requirements. 

For example, the locations of new or relocated medical gas alarm panels for patient areas should be coordinated carefully between the architect and certified designer to ensure that the locations proposed meet the requirements set forth by governing codes and standards. 

Stakeholder collaboration isn’t limited to only the design and installation phase. Medical gas contractors can provide continuous support and maintenance services, including locating system deficiencies due to leaks and code compliance issues due to existing aging infrastructure. This helps to improve the system’s enduring performance and compliance. 

Regular maintenance, testing and training protocols can be established in partnership with stakeholders to improve the system’s reliability and conformity to regulatory requirements.

Patient Care Areas and Zoning

A thorough assessment of patient care areas is necessary during the design phase. Different areas may have varying requirements for medical gases, such as operating rooms, intensive care units and patient bed bays. Proper zoning and distribution of gases must be meticulously planned to improve supply and prevent cross-contamination. 

Collaborating closely with medical staff and considering future expansion plans can help optimize the system’s design. By complying with the stringent guidelines and best practices defined in NFPA 99, health-care facilities can ensure the correct installation of medical gas systems and their components, such as zone valve boxes, area alarm panels and bulk equipment. This reduces the risk of leaks, contamination, tampering and other potential hazards. 

The intent of ASSE 6060 certification is for patients to receive the right gas mixture at the proper pressure, lowering the chance for adverse events and enhancing the day-to-day operations within the facility. 

Redundant Systems

Creating systems with inbuilt redundancy and backup mechanisms is fundamental in maintaining a continuous supply of medical gases. This redundancy can be established through dual-source systems, additional pipelines and auxiliary storage systems. These strategies effectively decrease the chances of disruptions in the gas supply, thereby ensuring patients’ care is unaffected during maintenance periods or emergency situations. 

In the context of medical gas systems, redundancy is a critical factor in ensuring patient safety. Patients in health-care facilities are dependent on a steady and reliable supply of medical gases for various therapeutic procedures and essential life-support functions. A malfunction in the medical gas system can result in serious, potentially fatal outcomes. Incorporating redundancy in these systems allows health-care facilities to lower the risk of disruptions in gas supply, thereby maintaining patient safety and welfare. 

Medical gas systems are made up of intricate equipment that might fail due to mechanical problems, power failures or regular maintenance activities. Redundancy alleviates the consequences of such failures by supplying replacement components that can smoothly step in when the primary equipment breaks down or needs maintenance. This strategy ensures the uninterrupted supply of medical gases, reducing downtime and potential hazards.

NFPA 99 greatly affects the backup systems within buildings. It mandates that health-care facilities pay close attention to the backup systems for medical gases. This includes assessing the suitable capacity and redundancy of backup systems to meet the facility’s specific requirements. Certified professionals ensure the proper integration of backup systems into the entire medical gas system, allowing for a smooth transition and uninterrupted supply during emergency situations. 

NFPA 99 also underscores the significance of alarm and monitoring systems for these backup systems. These systems enable health-care facilities to quickly identify any abnormalities or malfunctions in the backup system, ensuring prompt intervention and resolution. Certified professionals ensure the integration of alarm and monitoring systems with the overall medical gas system, providing real-time alerts to health-care personnel in the event of a backup system activation or malfunction.

Scheduling Considerations

Health-care facilities often undergo renovations or expansions, requiring the integration of new medical gas systems with existing infrastructure. Collaboration with stakeholders helps to provide a smoother integration process, minimizing disruptions to patient care. 

Architects and engineers can assess the facility’s infrastructure and provide guidance on seamlessly incorporating the new system. Medical gas contractors can coordinate with other contractors involved in the project to ensure timely completion and minimal interference with ongoing operations. 

Most instructor-led courses necessary for ASSE 6060 certification emphasize the importance of pre-installation planning and coordination for medical gas systems. This includes conducting site surveys, coordinating with other trades and developing installation plans. 

Compliance with NFPA 99 requirements may require additional time and resources during the installation phase of the project. It is necessary to allocate sufficient time in a project schedule to ensure that all installation and testing activities are completed in compliance with NFPA 99. 

Renovations or modifications to medical gas systems often require temporary shutdowns or reconfiguration. Scheduling these activities should be carefully planned to minimize disruptions to patient care. Phasing considerations, such as prioritizing noncritical areas or using alternative live tap technologies, can help reduce downtime and maintain operational continuity. 

Collaboration with facility staff, effective communication and an understanding of the requirements of NFPA 99 among stakeholders are key to successful scheduling. Having a designer certified to ASSE 6060 helps to accomplish this. 

Training and Maintenance

Ensuring that facility staff are adequately trained in the use, maintenance and emergency procedures of medical gas systems is of paramount importance. NFPA 99 mandates that those involved in the installation, operation and upkeep of these systems undergo specific training and exhibit expertise in their respective areas, thereby providing a competent workforce capable of effectively managing medical gas systems in health-care facilities. 

By engaging certified professionals and requiring further training for existing staff, health-care facilities can count on their knowledge to sustain and enhance the functionality of medical gas systems. NFPA 99 obliges health-care facilities to adhere to standardized procedures for operating and maintaining medical gas systems. When systems are properly maintained, these professionals can concentrate on patient care without worrying about equipment breakdowns or supply disruptions. 

NFPA 99 requires that health-care facilities develop emergency management programs, which allow them to identify deficiencies in their processes and existing systems and evaluate their preparedness in a sudden emergency. These requirements set forth in NFPA 99 help to promote reliability and uniformity in the delivery of medical gases during normal operations and emergency situations. This reduces interruptions of essential gases that are needed for patient care. 

Documentation and Recordkeeping

Documentation and recordkeeping for medical gas systems in hospitals play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, reliability and compliance of these systems. By maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, hospitals can demonstrate their adherence to regulations and standards during audits and inspections. 

When documentation and recordkeeping are adhered to, health-care facilities can better track the maintenance and repair history of medical gas systems. Hospitals can ensure that necessary inspections, tests and repairs are performed regularly by maintaining detailed records of maintenance activities. 

Medical gases are critical for patient care and safety within health-care facilities. Documentation and recordkeeping ensure that medical gas systems are properly maintained, tested and serviced as per manufacturer recommendations and industry guidelines. This helps prevent potential safety hazards and ensures the delivery of reliable and high-quality medical gases to patients. 

NFPA 99 requires health-care facilities to maintain comprehensive documentation and records related to medical gas primary and backup systems, including all maintenance activities, testing results and any modifications or repairs performed. NFPA 99 ensures that these facilities have a documented history of their primary and backup systems, enabling them to track and evaluate the performance and reliability of these systems over time.

Designing and scheduling medical gas systems requires careful consideration of regulatory compliance, collaboration with stakeholders and a deep understanding of patient care requirements. By incorporating redundancies, zoning considerations and efficient scheduling, health-care facilities can improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of their medical gas systems. 

Proper design and scheduling not only enhance patient care but also contribute to the overall operational effectiveness of the facility. 

Sabrina Randall, CPD, is a plumbing designer at SmithGroup’s Boston office. She is a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and possesses more than 8 years of experience in designing plumbing systems for various building types.

Nathan Heitzinger, PE, CPD, is a plumbing engineer at SmithGroup’s Phoenix office. He is ASSE 6060-certified, a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and possesses more than 8 years of experience in designing plumbing systems for various building types.