The requirement is not just an annual vendor visit. Surveyors expect a risk-based maintenance program, qualified personnel, alarm testing, outlet and inlet inspection, and a record of corrective actions.
What NFPA 99 requires
- A documented inspection, testing and maintenance program for piped medical gas and vacuum systems based on manufacturer recommendations and a risk assessment
- Inspection and testing by qualified personnel, such as ASSE 6040 medical gas maintenance personnel or ASSE 6030 verifiers for new or modified systems
- Master and area alarm panels tested for function and audible and visual signals
- Station outlets and inlets inspected for flow, leakage, labeling and correct gas
- Source equipment: manifolds, bulk systems, compressors, dryers and vacuum pumps inspected per manufacturer
- Zone valves labeled, accessible and showing the correct rooms served
- Cylinder storage quantities, securing and segregation of full and empty cylinders
New construction and modifications
Any new, extended or modified piped system must be verified by a qualified verifier before use, with documentation of the verification. Renovations that touch medical gas piping are a common source of missing verification records.
Documentation surveyors expect
The written maintenance program, the most recent inspection and testing report with each outlet and alarm listed, the qualifications of the personnel who performed it, corrective actions for every deficiency, and the verification report for any work since the last survey.
Frequently asked questions
NFPA 99 requires a risk-based program with frequencies set by the facility and manufacturer. Most Healthcare facilities perform a full third-party inspection annually with more frequent checks of alarms and source equipment.