Source equipment is unique to each facility which means testing must be customized. We inspect and test medical gas source equipment for compliance with NFPA, (National Fire Protection Association), CGA (Compressed Gas Association), ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineers).
Our source equipment protocols detail:
- The current condition of each system and its related components
- The safety of the installation of required and related components, component materials and enclosures
- The location of any costly and potentially dangerous leaks
- Compliance of the location, function and labeling of piping, valves, gauges and sensors
- System malfunctions which could effect patient care, safety and cost
- The operation of local status/warning lights
- The function of master alarm signals and master alarm set points
- The status of each type of equipment in relation to safety and code requirements
Each facility has different types of source equipment based on their needs. We customize our test according to your facility.
- Bulk systems
- Gas manifolds
- Liquid manifolds
- Medical air compressors
- Medical vacuum pumps
- Main line pressure indicators
Bulk Systems
- We verify that the components, installation, function and labeling is in compliance with codes.
- Check the accuracy of Liquid Level Low gauges and verify the set points for each Liquid Level Low alarm at the master alarm panel(s).
- Verify that the Reserve In Use and Reserve Pressure Low alarms function correctly and activate at the master alarm panel(s).
- Check the bulk tank(s) for leaks using a combination of soap and ultrasonic leak detection.
- Verify additional master alarms: Reserve Liquid Level Low, Reserve Cylinders Low Pressure, Line Pressure High and Line Pressure Low.
We complete a checklist and identify any items which require remediation in order to meet code requirements.
Gas Manifold Survey
We verify that the components, installation, function and labeling is in compliance with codes.
Functionally test the manifold(s) change-over and gauge accuracy using the following steps:
- Simulate empty supply cylinders by closing the header shutoff valve on the bank which is in use.
- Initiate the demand for gas by opening the test port until the flow of gas is reduced to the switch-over pressure.
- Verify that the Reserve In Use master alarm has been activated.
- Check that the gas supply has changed to the reserve bank.
- Open the “depleted bank” to verify that the indicator lights match Supply for the new bank in use and Reserve as the bank originally in use.
- Switch the manifold back to the supply which was in use at the beginning of testing by repeating the steps above. (This important step ensures that the facility reserve bank gas supply is full and ready for use).
- Check the manifold and flexible connectors for leaks using a combination of soap and ultrasonic leak detection.
- Verify additional master alarms: Line Pressure High and Line Pressure Low.
We complete a checklist detailing our survey and any items which require remediation in order to meet code requirements.
Liquid Manifold Survey
We verify that the components, installation, function and labeling is in compliance with codes.
We functionally test the manifold(s) change-over and gauge accuracy using the following steps:
- Simulate empty supply cylinders by closing the header shutoff valve on the bank which is in use.
- Initiate the demand for gas by opening the test port until the flow is reduced to the switch-over pressure.
- Verify that the Reserve In Use (Change Over) master alarm has been activated.
- Check that the gas supply has changed to the reserve bank.
- Close the header shutoff valve to the reserve bank, open the test port to simulate the use of gas until the reserve bank is empty.
- Verify that the Emergency Reserve In Use master alarm has been activated.
- Check that the high pressure header is now supplying the system.
- Close the emergency high pressure header.
- Simulate the demand for gas by opening the test port until the high pressure reserve bank is depleted to the alarm point.
- Verify that the Emergency Reserve Low master alarm has activated.
- Open the high pressure header and the left and right banks in the order in which they were closed and verify the indicator lights show Reserve on the reserve side and In Use on the side which is in use.
- Assure that the manifold is returned to the pre-test condition. (This important step ensures that the reserve bank and high pressure reserve are full and ready for use).
- Check the manifold for leaks using a combination of soap and ultrasonic leak detection.
- Verify additional master alarms: Line Pressure High, Line Pressure Low.
We complete a checklist detailing our survey and any items which require remediation in order to meet code requirements
Medical Air Compressors
We verify that the components, installation, function and labeling is in compliance with codes.
We check the air compressor for:
- Accuracy of the carbon monoxide monitor (see Medical Air Purity Test for more information)
- Accuracy of the dew point monitor (see Medical Air Purity Test for more information)
- Alternation of all compressors during operation
- Function of local alarms and status signals
- Function of the automatic drain
- Proper intake location and protection with screening
- Leaks/damage to the flexible connectors on inlets, outlets
- Gauge accuracy
- Activation of master alarms at the correct set points: High Temperature Shutdown, High Dew Point, Reserve Compressor Run, Air Carbon Monoxide High, Line Pressure High, and Line Pressure Low
We complete a checklist detailing our survey and any items which require remediation in order to meet code requirements.
Medical Vacuum Air Pumps
We verify that the components, installation, function and labeling is in compliance with codes.
We check the vacuum pump for:
- Alternation between pumps while in operation
- Function of local alarms and status signals
- Proper exhaust location and protection with screening
- Leaks/damage to the flexible connectors on pump inlets, outlets
- Gauge accuracy
- Activation of master alarms at the correct set points: High Temperature Shutdown, Reserve Pump Run and Line Pressure Low
We complete a checklist detailing our survey and any items which require remediation in order to meet code requirements.
Mainline Pressure Indicators
Main line signals for all bulk supply, manifolds, air compressors and vacuum pumps.
- We functionally test positive pressure pipeline high/low sensors using a hand pump.
- We verify set points at 20% above and below normal line pressure.
- We adjust sensors that are not accurately calibrated.
- Sensors that may not be safely removed for testing are verified in the pipeline then returned to the set points.
