Nitrogen control panel

  • Friday, September 27, 2019 10:58 AM
    Message # 7904571

    I know that a zone valve cannot be installed behind a door, but I can't find a code that specifically prohibits installing a nitrogen control panel behind the main operating room door. During surgery the door stays closed. Thoughts?

  • Saturday, September 28, 2019 10:30 AM
    Reply # 7906969 on 7904571
    Al Moon (Administrator)

    Well most the time without surgery going on, the doors are closed.

    But back to your point, to the best of my knowledge, there are no code requirements for your nitrogen control panel location. In fact, we lock up and hide outlets and inlets all the time. (i.e. behavior health lockable consoles and lock up room in the emergency dept.)


    Hope to see you in Las Vegas NV for the annual MGPHO meeting Sept 30 - Oct 3 2019:

  • Saturday, September 28, 2019 4:58 PM
    Reply # 7907304 on 7904571

     Al Moon is correct. There is no code in regards to having the nitrogen control panel in plain sight. Again stating that for years we have put outlets inside cabinetry. It is not a fire issue such is why we have to have a zone valve box accessible. 

  • Tuesday, October 01, 2019 3:43 PM
    Reply # 7913174 on 7904571
    Anonymous

    Actually there is no specific code for nitrogen control panels at all in NFPA 99

  • Wednesday, October 02, 2019 5:59 PM
    Reply # 7915362 on 7904571

    Thought: Check out NFPA 99, 2018 sections 5.1.13.5 and then 5.1.5.13:


    5.1.13.5 as you know addresses the outlets for Instrument Air and Nitrogen support medical gases. This section refers to many other sections in 5.1.5 including 5.1.5.13 where it states the outlet (that is the function a nitrogen or instrument air control panel performs) SHALL be protected from damage.


    This applies for two reasons:

    1. When the end user control panel is in use the majority of the time the delivery device attached directly to the control panel is a nitrogen/instrument air hose directing the gas to the operating table area for the surgeon's use.

    a. If the Surgery uses a Schrader QC coupler it usually sticks out even

        further than the DISS/hose connection.

    2. The majority of the time the Surgical Staff almost NEVER disconnects the hoses from the nitrogen/instrument air control panel.  The door will hit the hose/outlet connection when opened


    In taking both reasons into consideration, the door could damage the hose/outlet connection of the internal connections within the control panel if the door is swung open with too much force.


    Two suggested plan of actions:


    Either move the control panel (very expensive) or install a floor or wall mounted door stop to protect the hose/CP connection when the door is opened.


16339 Kranker Drive, Stilwell, KS 66085

mgpho@me.com