NFPA 99 Healthcare Facilities code provides performance criteria for healthcare facilities that follow a risk-based approach, where it is the risk posed to patients, staff or visitors, that defines safety guidelines. The main criteria of the Code's scope is to keep healthcare facilities up-to-code with its occupants safe.
As a leader in the control, management, and monitoring of medical gas systems, CHT is asked frequently, in regards to NFPA 99 Healthcare Facilities Code,
"What Applies to My Facility"?
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NFPA 99 (Recent History)
Annual Evaluation of Medical Gas System
Current NFPA 99 HealthCare Facilities Code - 2018 Edition
Changes in the 2018 edition help you work more efficiently to ensure healthcare safety.
Here are some of the details that will be required under the NFPA 99-2018 code that are different from earlier versions. Cites are from the code currently.
1. Oxygen Concentrators
Chapter 5 includes requirements that now allow for the use of oxygen concentrators as central supply sources for piped medical gas systems. 5.1.3.5.11* Oxygen Concentrator Supply Units.
5.1.3.5.11.1 states Oxygen concentrator supply units for use with medical gas pipelines shall produce oxygen meeting the requirements of Oxygen 93 USP or Oxygen USP.
What it means...
The 2018 edition adds requirements for onsite oxygen production by a concentrator. Oxygen concentrators are and continue to be, limited in use for most facilities in the United States. Remote areas, such as Hawaii, Alaska, and other island territories implementing NFPA 99 will now have some guidance on their use.
Background on why that change has been made...
The technology behind these supply sources is nothing new and their use has previously been part of the ISO Standard, but is now addressed by NFPA.
How the change may impact the present or future design of medical gas and vacuum systems...
Ultimately, this addition to the 2018 code will have little to no impact on most facilities within the United States since a majority of hospitals are supplied by a traditional cryogenic fluid central supply system (previously referred to as a bulk cryogenic liquid system).
2. Vacuum Filtration 5.1.3.7.4
The detailed requirements for vacuum filtration are defined in the code. The filters are required to be as efficient as HEPA (0.3μ (microns) and 99.97% high efficiency)
3. Corrugated Medical Gas Tubing
5.1.10.1.4 Corrugated medical tubing (CMT) is now a permitted material for medical gas and vacuum systems.
What it means...
The additional inclusion of corrugated medical tubing will allow installers another piping option, particularly for difficult installations. Ease of installation, reduced cost, and less chance of contamination are benefits that are invaluable for healthcare facilities. CMT is a fabricated tubing with flexibility making it ideal for retrofits and new construction.
Kevin Hoben, OmegaFlex® CEO, a global manufacturer of metal hoses, says
"Copper tubing has always been costly to install with countless brazed sections that make a system vulnerable to leaks and contamination. MediTrac comes in one, long length to eliminate hot work, and its unique design makes it easy to bend as needed to fit a space."
MediTrac is fully compliant with NFPA 99 (2018) code.
Background on why that change has been made...
This is a new technology for medical gas piping.
How the change may impact the present or future design of medical gas and vacuum systems...
Corrugated medical tubing's usage can be beneficial, particularly for the installation of positive pressure piping in pre-existing construction. It can reduce the number of installed joints and aid in installations where space or brazed joints can be difficult.
How to implement the change...
Contact your installer to see if CMT tubing would be beneficial to your next project.
4. The Addition of Chapter 15: Dental Gas and Vacuum Systems
This chapter was added specifically to dental gas and vacuum systems to address their precise needs.
What it means...
With the previous changes to NFPA 99, particularly as it relates to the change from an occupancy-based document to a risk-based standard, there were some issues with requirements for dental facilities, which were historically addressed as a Category 3 system.
How the change may impact the present or future design of medical gas and vacuum systems...
This change will allow for a more detailed understanding and implementation of NFPA 99 for all manner of dental system installations.
5. "Governing Body" Wording
In addition, we are seeing a global change in the 2018 edition.
The term "governing body" is changed to "healthcare facility's governing body". This is to help clarify or highlight the intent. Governing body represents the people who are responsible for the operation of the healthcare facility.
National Fire Protection Association, Highlight Clip - NFPA 99, Healthcare Facilities code - 2018 Webinar, via YouTube
Conclusion
NFPA 99 2012 edition is currently adopted by the federal government at the time of this writing.
While medical gas changes in the 2018 edition are relatively easy to understand, it is a reminder that technology is always evolving. And even more changes will be forthcoming in the 2021 edition of NFPA 99.
As these codes develop, CHT will keep you informed.
