Hyperbaric Oxygen

  • Friday, March 05, 2021 12:22 PM
    Message # 10167429
    Deleted user

    When a single bulk oxygen feeds both 75psi HBO and 55 psi medical Oxygen within the same facility ...

    My opinions:

    Both sets of high & low line pressure signals would be on the 24-hr and Engineering master alarm panels.  This is equivalent or superior to the code regarding those signals being located on an area/master panel in the HBO chamber room.  A second EOSC or IBER isn't necessary to backfill the the HBO 75 psi line


    Many of the chapter 14 codes seem to be geared toward a stand alone HBO facility with its own bulk oxygen

  • Saturday, March 06, 2021 12:04 PM
    Reply # 10170667 on 10167429

    Remember you can do anything you want if it exceeds code. If you feel there needs to be a code change well you know how to submit to NFPA.

  • Sunday, March 07, 2021 11:11 AM
    Reply # 10173913 on 10167429
    Al Moon (Administrator)

    Yes The Section #1.4 Equivalency

    ( remember, we cannot do anything we what )

    Technical documentation shall be submitted to the AHJ for approval for all demonstrated equivalency. ( NFPA 99 - 2012,2015,2018, 2021 and older Codes )


    But that's not the question at hand.


    Per NFPA 99 - 2012,2015,2018 & 2021 Editions:


    My simple question is this. 



    SCENARIO

    An existing Category 1 Hospital is installing, a new HBO Center.

    The existing Bulk Oxygen Site is to supply both the Hospital and HBO Center.

    Both the existing Master Alarm Panels, meet's all current codes.

    A new high and low pressure switch and the signals are to be suppled and installed into the two existing Master Alarm Panels, for the new HBO mainline pressure.


    ? Within any of the following Editions of NFPA 99 - 2012,2015,2018 or 2021 ?


    Is their a requirement for the HBO Center to have a 3rd Master Alarm Panel installed inside the new HBO Chamber Treatment Staff Location ?


    In this SCENARIO


    Please vote for one of the following after reviewing again the scenario. 



    1) A single area alarm panel is the only alarm panel required.


    2) Both a master and area alarm panels are required inside the new HBO.


    3) A 3rd master alarm panel is required inside this new HBO Center


    4) No alarms are required




    Last modified: Sunday, March 07, 2021 6:41 PM | Al Moon (Administrator)
  • Sunday, March 07, 2021 7:46 PM
    Reply # 10174831 on 10167429
    Deleted user

    A single alarm is permitted, and if you opt for the single panel it must be a master/area panels and be located in the chamber room.


    Reference:  NFPA 99, 2018

    Chapter 14   Hyperbaric Facilities

    14.2.1.4.5   Hyperbaric stand-alone oxygen systems for Category 1 and Category 2 hyperbaric care shall comply with Section 5.1, as applicable, except as noted in 14.2.1.4.5.1.

    14.2.1.4.6.1   Oxygen systems shall comply with 5.1.9, as applicable, except that warning systems shall be permitted to be a single master/area alarm panel.

    14.2.1.4.6.2   The alarm panel shall be located in the room housing the chamber(s) to allow for easy audio and visual monitoring by the chamber operator. 



  • Monday, March 08, 2021 6:56 AM
    Reply # 10175911 on 10167429
    Deleted user

    To further clarify my opinion ...

    Put an area alarm in the chamber room (just like a category 1 area)

    I don't think it's necessary to put a 3rd set of oxygen bulk or high/low line pressure master signals in the chamber room.

    I think the code permits a single master/area panel if you don't already have the 2 master alarm panel locations as required by 5.1.9

  • Tuesday, March 09, 2021 4:52 PM
    Reply # 10180620 on 10167429

    Steve I have the same interpretation as I just brought the oxygen service inside the building and built a new manifold room and have both services with full master alarms service for the 75 & 55 psi oxygen.  The new hyperbaric chambers are 800 to 1000 feet across the campus so all we installed was the 2 gas alarm for the med air and O2 local.  We did contemplate mirroring the master signals between the Beacon Medaes Infinity panels (switchboard to HBO)  but HBO staff really didn't want those signals brought down and since we already have 3 master panels at this facility the Director of Maintenance felt they had plenty of coverage of the bulk site. 

  • Tuesday, March 09, 2021 8:52 PM
    Reply # 10181001 on 10167429
    Al Moon (Administrator)

    Chapter Section #1.1.12* Hyperbaric Facilities. Chapter 14 establishes criteria for design and operation of hyperbaric chambers and facilities. Chapter 14 covers electrical, fire, pressure, and gas hazards associated with hyperbaric facilities that are used, or intended to be used, for medical and experimental procedures at gauge pressures from O kPa to 690 kPa (0 psi to 100 psi).


    NFPA 99 the 2018 Edition: Is clean on the scope for HBO Facilities / As a whole they are stand along Facilities. See Chapter 1



    Chapter Section #14.2.1.4.4 Hyperbaric oxygen systems for Category I, Category 2, and Category 3 hyperbaric care connected directly to a hospital's oxygen system shall comply with Section 5.1, as applicable, except as noted in 14.2.1.4.4.1.


    As noted above, a HBO center installed within a existing hospital via the existing bulk oxygen system shall comply as a Chapter 5 - Section 5.1. This requirement as #14.2.1.4.4 supersedes the section #14.2.1.4.6.1.


    In the scenario listed in this post. In my opinion. The 3rd master alarm panel within the HBO chamber location is not requirement. Per #5.1.9. their will be two master alarm panels. One monitored 24 / 7 hours a day and one unit located in the office or work space of the on site individual responsible for the maintenance

    of the medical oxygen system. Only an area alarm panel would be needed to meet code.  



    14.2.1.4.6 Warning Systems.

    14.2.1.4.6.1 Oxygen systems shall comply with 5.1.9, as appli- cable, except that warning systems shall be permitted to be a single master/area alarm panel.

    14.2.1.4.6.2 The alarm panel shall be located in the room housing the chamber(s) to allow for easy audio and visual monitoring by the chamber operator.


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