1307.0 Central Supply Systems

Where the terms medical gas or medical support gas occur, the provisions shall apply to all piped systems for oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, instrument air, and mixtures thereof. Wherever the name of a specific gas service occurs, the provision shall apply only to that gas. [NFPA 99:5.1.1.3]

Potential fire and explosion hazards associated with positive pressure gas central piping systems and medical-surgical vacuum systems shall be considered in the design, installation, testing, operation, and maintenance of these systems. [NFPA 99:5.1.2]

Central supply systems for oxygen, medical air, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and all other patient medical gases shall be piped only to medical gas outlets complying with Section 1315.0, into areas where the gases will be used under the direction of licensed medical professionals for purposes congruent with the following:

1. Direct respiration by patients.
2. Clinical application of the gas to a patient, such as the use of an insufflator to inject carbon dioxide into patient body cavities during laparoscopic surgery and carbon dioxide used to purge heart-lung machine blood flow ways.
3. Medical device applications directly related to respiration.
4. Power for medical devices used directly on patients.
5. Calibration of medical devices intended for Section 1307.3(1) through Section 1307.3(4).
6. Simulation centers for the education, training, and assessment of health care professionals. [NFPA 99:5.1.3.5.2]

Materials used in central supply systems shall meet the following requirements:

1. In those portions of systems intended to handle oxygen at gauge pressures greater than 350 pounds-force per square inch (psi) (2413 kPa), interconnecting hose shall contain no polymeric materials.
2. In those portions of systems intended to handle oxygen or nitrous oxide material, construction shall be compatible with oxygen under the temperatures and pressures to which the components can be exposed in the containment and use of oxygen, nitrous oxide, mixtures of these gases, or mixtures containing more than 23.5 percent oxygen.
3. If potentially exposed to cryogenic temperatures, materials shall be designed for low temperature service.
4. If intended for outdoor installation, materials shall be installed per the manufacturer's requirements. [NFPA 99:5.1.3.5.4]