Introduction to Medical Gas Systems
Medical gas systems distribute life-safety gases and vacuum to patient care areas in healthcare facilities. Oxygen, medical air, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium are supplied from central storage systems through copper piping distribution networks to patient care areas. Medical vacuum (for suction) and waste anesthetic gas disposal (WAGD) piping complete the typical medical gas infrastructure. These systems are life-safety critical. Failures can result in patient deaths from oxygen supply loss, hypoxia, or delivery of wrong gases. NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code (Chapter 5) governs medical gas system design, installation, testing, and maintenance in the United States. HTM 02-01 governs UK healthcare facilities.