VA and the NFPA 99 CODE

  • Tuesday, June 01, 2021 4:45 PM
    Message # 10581256
    Al Moon (Administrator)
    Does anyone have definitive written statement from the VA, stating what year edition of NFPA 99 is required for both construction and testing ?? 
  • Wednesday, June 02, 2021 8:23 AM
    Reply # 10583396 on 10581256
    Mathis Carlson (Administrator)

    The VA Plumbing Design manual states in numerous spots, Current Edition for NFPA 99. Attached for reference.

    1 file
  • Friday, June 04, 2021 7:34 PM
    Reply # 10592941 on 10581256

    Tangent topic: I have issues with this VA document.


    Section 8.4. ORAL EVACUATION SYSTEM Design the oral evacuation system in accordance with NFPA 99, Category 3.     


    Are there many manufacturers that provide an Oral Evac system that is meeting NFPA 99 requirements? Auto restart, redundancy, auto alternation, oxidizer monitor for oil flooded pumps, etc.. It seems like we always have to produce a custom package with a custom control panel to make it NFPA 99 approved. 


    Military Veterinary facilities are adopting NFPA 99 for this purpose as well.


    8.4.3 Vacuum Relief Valves Provide a vacuum relief valve at the end of each trunk line.


    Why would you need this unless you are using a pump that is not intended for oral evacuation? Is there a purpose I am missing?


    8.5.1 Dental Compressed Air Systems and Equipment Dental compressed air systems and equipment shall be completely independent of the medical and laboratory air systems and equipment.


    Designers interpret this as the equipment needs to be in a separate room but it should mean it is an independent piping system.


    We are seeing some military installations with some really bad designs going on because of these "design parameters" and misunderstandings. Feel free to give me some input.

  • Tuesday, June 29, 2021 6:41 PM
    Reply # 10712315 on 10581256

    Just bid a VAMC in Sacramento and the NFPA 99, 2015 edition specified with a specification date of May 2021.

    Specification section 22 62 00 - 4 for medical vacuum and section 22 63 29 for medical air. 

    This includes installation and testing for these new vacuum and medical compressed air systems (4).

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