PMGS Couse Note Rev

PIPED MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM (PMGS)
CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
2. CONCEPT AND STANDARDS HTM2022/C11
A. INTRODUCTION TO HTM2022
B. INTRODUCTION TO C11
C. PMGS’s DESIGN IN RELATION TO HTM2022 AND C11 CODES
D. WHY ARE STANDARDS NEEDED?
3. PIPED MEDICAL GAS COMPONENTS, FEATURES AND BENEFITS
4. SYSTEMS DESIGN
A. DESIGN STEPS.
B. TYPICAL PROBLEMS WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS.
C. SAMPLE HOSPITAL FLOWRATE CALCULATION.
D. CALCULATING PRESSURE DROPS FOR PMG AND VACUUM SYSTEMS
USING HTM22 TABLES IN APPENDIX 1, 2, 3.
E. ANAESTHETIC GAS SCAVENGING SYSTEM (AGSS).
5. INSTALLATION - SPECIFICATIONS
6. TESTING AND COMMISSIONING (VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION)
_______________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the candidates should be able to: -
v Using the HTM2022 and C11 as a guideline and standards in MGPS
v To ensure the provision of safe and reliable MGPS and their efficient operation and use.
v Describes the components of MGPS
v State the need for regulation of pipeline installation and certification
v Design of MGPS and its associated equipment selections
v Explain how Medical Gases, Vacuum and Anaesthetic Scavenging Gas are stored and
delivered via a hospital pipeline
v Identify the testing requirements that must be performed before a MGPS can be certified
and put on-line.
1. INTRODUCTION
One of the most important services in hospitals is the distribution of Medical Gases
through Medical Gas Pipeline System (MGPS) because a slight error in its installation can
result with loss of lives.
Patients and healthcare personnel understand that the importance of medical gas purity is
an essential element of public health. Numerous standards have been instituted to stop the
administration of the wrong or adulterated gas to the patient, who should be able to rely on
a pure gas source. We learn by our mistakes but not usually until they result in death.
Deaths and near hits from pipeline incidents do occur but the details are usually
sequestered at the local level due to the fear of legal action and public outcry.
Litigation involving disastrous outcomes associated with hospital pipelines, i.e., crossed
pipelines, end up on one or the other end of the spectrum; they are either dramatised in the
courtroom and press or quietly settled out of court and the records sealed from the public
domain.
Production and delivery of safe Medical gases has been improved over the years by
introduction of codes, standards and guidelines written by a wide cross-section of the
professional community. Sometimes regulatory measures seem restrictive,
overburdensome and expensive but the overall quality of Medical Gases and MGPS seems
to reflect success.
Be aware of when and how new or remodeled pipeline systems are installed, certified and
configured. Each of us needs to be aware of pipeline system in our healthcare facility and
make sure the system is maintained, recertified when necessary, and replaced in some
instances.
2. CONCEPT AND STANDARD HTM2022 AND C11
MGPS is installed to provide a safe, convenient and cost effective system for the provision
of medical gases to the clinical and nursing staff at the point of use. An MGPS is designed
to provide a safe and effective method of delivering the required medical gas from the
source of supply through a pipeline system to the patient via a terminal unit.
MGPS consists of: -

1. Oxygen, O2
2. Nitrous Oxide, N2 O
3. 50% O2 + 50% N2 O (Entonox), Ent
4. Medical Compressed Air (4 Bar), MA
5. Surgical Compressed Air (7 Bar), SA
6. Medical Vacuum, Vac
7. Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging, AGS
8. Dental Compressed Air and Vacuum
9. Nitric Oxide – Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide mixture, NO
10. Alarm and Monitoring System
Separate installation should be provided for pathology and general laboratories and
workshops, although it is recommended that they be constructed to the same specification
as MGPS. They should not be provided with medical gas terminal units. Piped medical
vacuum system is not recommended for infectious disease units.
Care is required when selecting pipeline routes to prevent the pipes coming into contact
with electric cables and wiring, and to minimise the risk of electric shock in the event of a
fault on adjacent cables. In the event of power failure or interruption, all systems should
continue to operate exactly as before the interruption occurred.
The guideline in HTM2022 should be followed for all new installations and refurbishment
or upgrading of existing installations. It is not necessary to apply the guideline
retrospectively unless patient or staff safety would be compromised.
2.A. INTRODUCTION TO HTM2022
Health Technical Memorandum, known simply as HTM is a series of documents that

cover all aspects of the various services required throughout a hospital issued by the
United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). e.g., HTM2022 :
Medical Gas Pipeline System, HTM2010 : Autoclaves and Sterilisers. HTM2015 :
Bedhead Services. They are applicable to new and existing sites, and are for use at various
stages during the inception, design, construction, refurbishment and maintenance of a
building.
The design guide for medical gases, first published in May 1972 was HTM22, in an
attempt to standardise the design, installation and operation of MGPS.
Brief History
May 1972 : First Published
March 1977 : First Revision (with Permit To Works)
April 1978 : New Edition (Pressure Loss : 5% to 10%)
January 1982 : Work Officer Letter (Introduction of New Jointing Methods)
February 1985 : Work Officer Letter (Storage of Medical, Pathology and Industrial
Gas Cylinders)
HTM22 has sections which cover all aspects of the MGPS, including:-
i. Design of pipelines
ii. Installation procedures
iii. Requirements for plant items
iv. Alarm systems
v. Testing and commissioning
vi. Maintenance
HTM2022 first published in April 1994, fully revised the HTM22 and comprising of five
volume ie.:
i. Management Policy
ii. Design Considerations
iii. Validation and Verification
iv. Operation and Management
v. Good Practice Guide
Brief History
April 1994 : First Published (5 Volumes)
April 1996 : Supplement No.1 - Dental Compressed Air and Vacuum System
April 1997 : First Revision
HTM2022 latest edition comprises of two volumes.

Volume 1 : Design, Installation, Validation and Verification
Volume 2 : Operational Management
2.B. INTRODUCTION TO C11

C11 was published in February 1988 by the National Services as part of the Model
Engineering Specification. The principle being to replace much of the detail reproduced in
tenders and to discourage the proliferation of regional standards by authorities and
consultants. This would benefit designers, contractors, manufacturers, operators and
maintainers by setting a minimum and maximum standard, which could be used with
confidence. This would obviously improve efficiency and lead to cost saving.
The Model Engineering Specification consists of Part A, B, and C, which are “Off The
Shelf” volumes dealing with all aspects of the various services required throughout the
hospital. These parts joined with Part D – the detailed description of the works – form the
complete specification.
Part A comprises of the general contract conditions and preliminaries required for a
project.
Part B comprises of the general common clauses.
Part C is made up from the “C” Technical Sections applicable for the project ie. C11
covers medical gases, C42 covers the lift installations, C49 deals with the nurse call
systems and C82 deals with the colour coding of services. There are just some of the “C”
sections.
Part D is the detailed description of the works and is written for each particular project.
This is intended to detail the plant flow rates required and identify any special
requirements for the project.
C11 divided into elements and clauses for ease of reference each dealing with a particular
aspect of a pipeline system. To accompany the main document there are sets of design
notes, which relate to specific clauses, giving guidance to the design engineer. The largest
section of these notes relates to the scope of the gas outlet requirements in each
department. These have superceded those detailed in the original HTM22 Appendix 3.
In summary C11 is intended to be a purchasing specification to be attached to tenders and

equipment specifications and is complementary to the existing HTM22.
C11 : THE COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

The model specification consist of Part A, B and C. These parts joint with Part D. The detailed
description of the works - To form the complete specifications.
PART A
General Conditions and Preliminaries
PART B
General common clause
PART C
Particular technical sections (only the
sections applicable to the contract would
be used)
PART D
Detailed description of the works (written
for each particular project)
= THE COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
THE SPECIFICATION CANNOT BE

USED WITHOUT PART D
2.C. PMGS’s DESIGN IN RELATION TO HTM2022 AND C11 CODES
HTM2022 and C11 are in effect the British Standards for Piped Medical Gases.
HTM2022 is a Comprehensive Design Guide
C11 is a “Model Specification” issued by the DHSS.
C11 is complementary and additional to the requirements HTM22/HTM2022
An HTM2022/C11 system is more than a collection of compliant parts. The operation of

each part affects the performance of other components of the system. So the adequate
matching of equipment to each other and the requirements of the site is essential.
2.D. WHY ARE STANDARDS NEEDED?
1. Patient Safety
2. Consistency throughout the hospitals for connection of equipment and staff

familiarity.
Note:
a. 45 deaths due to medical gas pipeline faults in US between 1972 and 1993.
b. 5 deaths in Edinburgh, UK, in 1964 due to cross connection.
c. 1 death in Glasgow, UK, in 1969 due to back feed error.
d. 2 deaths in Kent and Canterbury, UK, in 1973 due to cross connection.
e. 23 deaths in Sudbury, Canada, in 1973 due to cross connection.
f. Brain damage in Westminster in 1975 due to cross connection.
g. 19 deaths in Parma, Italy due to oxygen explosion.
h. 4 babies “Affected” in Glasgow, UK due to air loss.

Safety depends on:-
1. Identity : Gas specific connections etc.
2. Adequacy : Accurate assessment of demands, plant selection etc.
3. Continuity : Through having emergency / reserve supply etc.
4. Quality : By the use of gases purchased to the appropriate

standards, maintenance of cleanliness etc.
Safety are the most important, because;-
1. Medical gases are consumed by patients.
2. Oxygen is poisonous
3. Oxygen is a drug
4. Oxygen + Heat / Spark + Grease / Oil = “BOOM”
5. Air is the only drug manufactured on site by the hospital.
6. 100% oxygen could cause blindness.
7. Nitrous Oxide could cause brain damage.
8. Loss of vacuum could cause suffocation, etc.

3. PIPED MEDICAL GAS COMPONENTS, FEATURES AND BENEFITS
A. PMGS’s COMPONENTS
A MGPS is usually made up of the following items:-
1. Outlets - Wall, Bedhead or Ceiling Mounted Services

2. Valves - Zone Valves and Line Valves
3. Plant Items - Manifolds and Plant etc.
4. Pipeline - Copper Tube, Fittings, Bracket and Labeling
5. Alarm - Plant and Pipeline Pressure
1. Outlets - Comply with BS EN 737-1:1998 and accept probes to

BS5682:1984 (BS6834 for AGSS). Can be fixed in the wall, ie. Flush
mounted, or can be fixed on the wall, ie. Surface mounted or within
Bedhead Systems, Trunking or Mediwalls. In theatres, ceiling mounted
pendant, which can be fixed flexible, rigid, retractable, or multi-purpose.
Location and scale recommended in HTM2022/C11 is for guidance only.

The project team should discuss details. Mounting heights and spacing
recommended in HTM2022 and C11.
2. Valves - Zone Valves or Zone Service Unit and Line Valves.
Zone Service Units (ZSU’s) - for emergency isolation

- for maintenance isolation
- lockable box
- break glass panel
- NIST connectors to BS EN 739
- fully comply to BS EN 737-3
ZSU’s to place at : - Department Entrances
- Ward Entrance
- Each Theatre Room
- ICU’s to be split in two etc.
Line valves by plant items, at the entry/exit of buildings and on main

branches.
3. Plant Items
- Oxygen - Large installations usually VIE c/w Reserve
Manifold
- Hill-Rom Medaes C11 Control Panel and
Medplus ESM
- Small installations, Fully automatic manifold c/w
Emergency Standby Manifold (ESM)
- Hill-Rom Medeas MCS2 and Medplus ESM
- Nitrous Oxide - Fully automatic manifold c/w Emergency
Standby Manifold (ESM)
- Air - Multiple pump plant assembly, Duplex, Triplex
or Quadruplex plants c/w Reserve Manifold or
Fully automatic manifold c/w Emergency
Standby Manifold (ESM)
- 7 bar for surgical use
- 4 bar for medical use
- Regulation is preferred in the plant room
- Should be separate from general air services for
mechanical use.
- Vacuum - Multiple plant assembly, Duplex, Triplex or
Quadruplex plants
- AGSS - Comply with BS6834:1987
- Simplex or Duplex plants with remote start stop
switches and Flow Regulating Valves.
4. Pipeline
- Copper to BS2871, Part 1, Table X. Degreased suitable for
Oxygen use.
- Fluxless brazing technique, CO2 or Nitrogen purges.
- Bracket spacing are specified in HTM2022
- Identification of services, coloured and labeled tape, direction of
flow
- Routing to avoid lifts shafts and fire risk area.
5. Alarm
- Plant Alarms - Hill-Rom Medaes MP125
- High load and fault conditions
- Change cylinders etc.
- In permanently staffed areas
- Local Alarms - Hill-Rom Medaes MP26
- High and Low pressure in pipeline
- For critical care area – HTM
- General Area – C11
B. FEATURES AND BENEFITS
MANIFOLD CONTROL SYSTEM
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Fully automatic changeover § Requires no manual adjustment to ensure a

constant supply of gas under normal conditions.
§ Flow rates of 1000 lpm for 4 Bar system and § Can cater for both 4 Bar and 7 Bar systems –
2000 lpm for 7 Bar system (surgical air) from small to large hospitals.
§ Two stage regulators § Allows higher flows with smoother flow
characteristics
§ In the event of power failure, solenoid opens § Fail-safe
and supply will continue or transfer to the
RIGHT bank. Upon resumption of power,
original bank will begin to supply.
§ Only 12 volts dc inside panel. Mains voltage is § Ensure safety to operators and service
inside external main panel. technicians
§ Duplexed relief valves are rented to atmosphere § Ensures fast release of gas in case of over
and can pass 2000 lpm pressure
§ Intergral bypass valve § Allows working gas used at commissioning
stage to be rented outside manifold room.
§ Modular manifold header § More flexibility – allows easy extension or
enlargement of manifold capacity
§ Non-return valves incorporated into header § Protects system in case of tail pipe fracture and
assembly, located in between cylinders allows safer, easier maintenance and inspection.
§ Manual change-over buttons § Allows over-ride automatic change-over system
for maintenance
LINE BALL VALVES
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Cleaned for oxygen service § Suitable for immediate installation, no need for
cleaning
§ Fitted with copper stub pipes at factory § Enables the assembly to be brazed direct into
the pipeline without damaging valve
components
§ Locking devices provided § Enables valve to be fixed in one position
without fear of it being tempered with
§ Valves can be removed from pipeline without § Simplify maintenance. No need to braze or
cutting pipe retest pipework
ZONE SERVICE UNITS (ZSU’s)
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Large clear “Emergency Break Glass” – will § Avoid injury to personnel gaining access
break into small pieces (like car windscreen)
when smashed during emergency.
§ 100% sealing NIST connectors § Provides connection for emergency like major
gas failure or maintenance. NIST connectors
ensure correct gas is used.
§ Stainless steel back plate § Resists Corrosion
§ Body and cover made of ABS § Resists Corrosion
§ Gas specific § Avoids possibility of incorrect assembly during
installation and maintenance
§ Non-interchangeable keys and locks § Prevents unauthorised access to valves
§ Blank spades provided to make a physical § Ensure greater safety environment to carry out
barrier or break extension or other brazing work
TERMINAL UNITS (OUTLETS)
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ 3-year warranty § Ensures trouble free operation and low cost

§ Tested to 10,000 cycles in accordance with BS § Equivalent to 15 years of use without noticeable
EN 737-1 : 1998 wear
§ Minimum number of parts – ‘O’, rings prone to § Ease of maintenance
wear are in a semi-disposable capsule assembly
§ High strength fire-retardant polycarbonates use § Ensures corrosion free and safety
st nd
for 1 fix cage and 2 fix socket assembly
§ Fully gas specific § Total patient safety
§ Single-handed insertion and removable of probe § Ease to operation – quick connect and
disconnect
MEDICAL GAS CENTRAL ALARM SYSTEM
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Can monitor max. 5 gases or 20 point alarm § Suitable for installation in any location within
conditions hospital. Can be used as repeater alarms as part
of total central alarm system
§ Can be easily programmed and reprogrammed § Provides flexibility in case of changes in
on site by integral switches messages, additional gases, to act as master or
slave alarm
§ Has mute switch to mute audible warning § Allows audible sound to be silenced once the
message has been noted but visual alarm will
remain until alarm condition is corrected
§ Has internal mute which to mute the audible § To prevent “false alarm” during shut-down
warning sound when plant or pipeline is shut periods
down for prolonged periods. Will automatically
reset when pipeline is in use again
§ “Test” switch provided and connected to line § To differentiate between circuit fault from
contact monitoring circuit pipeline fault
§ LED displays consist of long life, plug-in § Ensures reliability and easy replacement of
LED’s connected in parallel in 2 banks to LED’s
provide reliable duplex circuits
§ Incorporates volt-free ‘normally-closed’ relay § To enable interconnection to either another
Central Alarm system or BAS system
§ Has built-in rechargeable stand-by battery § To provide power source to both “System
Alarm” indication and audible warning in case
of power breakdown
§ Incorporates self-fault diagnosing feature by § Facilitates fault-finding during servicing
means of varying flashing rates whilst pushing
the ‘Test’ Switch
MEDICAL GAS AREA ALARM
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Monitors a max. of 6 gases in ‘Normal’, ‘High’ § Provides local warnings of supply pressure /
and ‘Low’ pressure conditions vacuum outside its normal operating range
§ Can easily be programmed and reprogrammed § Provides flexibility in case of changes in
on site by integral switches messages, additional messages
§ A mute switch is provided to mute the audible § To avoid unnecessary noise to patients but still
warning maintaining alarm status visually
§ Has internal mute switch for use when a plant § Facilitates “permanent” muting of audible
or pipeline is shut down for prolonged periods warning and is automatically reset when
pipeline pressure returns to normal
§ A ‘Test’ switch is provided to test the internal § Enables testing of the electronic circuits of the
alarm circuits alarm to know whether there is a system fault or
pipeline fault
§ Has line-contact monitor module which enables § Differentiates circuit fault from pipeline fault.
the alarm to monitor both the pressure switch Any detected fault in the circuit including
and interconnecting wiring power failure will be displayed as “SYSTEM
ALARM” fault
§ LED’s are connected in parallel in 2 banks to § Ensures reliability, long life and easy
provide duplex circuit replacement of LED’s
§ Incorporates a volt-free ‘normally closed’ relay § Easy connection to Hospital’s BAS
to enable interconnection to either Central
alarm or BAS
ANAESTHETIC GAS SCAVENGING (AGS) DISPOSAL SYSTEM
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Active System § Provides positive and effective removal of gas

§ Activated by remote switches § Flexibility in locating the pumps
§ Duplex units available § Standby unit will operate automatically if duty
unit fails or in periods of high usage
§ Automatic regulating valve § Vacuum / flow regulative valve which can fully
balance system to ensure flow rates within
precise limits regardless of number of terminal
units in use
§ Terminal units designed with choked orifice § Ensure patient safety by limiting the vacuum
which has specific screw thread and prevents induced in the receiver unit
flow rate exceeding 150 litres/min
OPERATING THEATRE PENDANTS

MULTIMOVEMENT TYPE WITH 411 TRIANGULAR HEAD
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Unlimited shelving positions on 3 planes and § Easy access to the devices that are mounted
the pendant head can be swung or turned to the
required position.
§ Fitted with service poles where additional § Increases the utility of the pendant
mounting of monitors are possible. The poles
can also be used to accommodate fluid bag
mountings.
§ The triangular configuration provides ample § More equipment can be used from the same
space for any number of gas outlets or power pendant
outlets
§ The triangular head has modular facias on each § Easily upgradeable and maintenance
plane
§ The modular facias has no sharp edges and § Easy to clean
visible screws
OPERATING THEATRE PANELS (OTP)
FEATURES BENEFITS
§ Made of stainless steel, 2mm with finish satin § Durable, easy to clean and not too reflective
brushed grain
§ Consist of modular “titled” panels § Flexible – components can be repositioned or
replaced easily
§ Comes in two parts – 1st fix and 2nd fix and can § Easily to install and flexible to suit O.T layout
be front-accessed or rear accessed
§ Complies with HTM 2007 : Electrical Supply § Safety assurance and panel is guaranteed for 3
and Services Distribution, HTM 2020 and HTM years
2021 for Electrical Safety Codes for Low / High
voltages respectively
4. SYSTEM DESIGN
A. DESIGN STEPS
i. Preliminaries Information – Adequate Drawings
A full set of floor plans showing the room types and designations – ie. Operating
theatre, 6 bed ITU, 2 bed ward, Treatment etc. – is the basic start point for the
design process. The minimum workable scale is usually 1:200 though 1:100 or
1:50 is preferred. In addition to the rooms each department and the respective staff
bases should be identified. An overall site plan is usually beneficial to assist with
plant locations and site layout.
ii. Establish the Specification Level

Determine if the specification is required to be HTM2022, HTM2022 including
C11, or some other standard (NFPA 99 is the American “Equivalent” to HTM), it
may be acceptable to use HTM as a guide only and to reduce the number of
outlets, valves and alarms to a basic level in order to meet severe cost restrictions.
iii. Position the Terminal Units

Use HTM2022 Table 2 Scale of provision of terminal units, the C11 Designers
Notes, or the project team options to sketch the location of the outlets on the
drawings. This will only be possible if the rooms are adequately identified on the
drawings in the first place. Consider at this stage the position of the outlets in the
rooms, the mounting method, wall mounted, trunking, mediwall or ceiling theatre
pendant. Consider also the mounting height for the outlets. HTM2022
recommends mounting heights for terminal units should between 900mm and
1400mm above finished floor level (FFL) when installed on walls or similar
vertical surfaces.
iv. Position the Zone Valves (ZSU’s)

Decide on ZSU locations using the recommendations in HTM2022, Provision of
valves 13.75 to 13.78. ZSU’s should be positioned such that they are easily
accessible by the staff in an emergency and also where they can be seen, so
reducing the chances of unauthorised tampering.
v. Identify Plant Locations
Establish the proposed locations of the plant and source equipment. Verify the
suitability for the equipment needed, plant rooms and manifold rooms should be
separate. Check for adequate ventilation, potential noise problems – particularly
with air compressor installations.
Total size of the room, is there enough room for the equipment? Can maintenance
be carried out? Is there enough roof clearance for tall receivers on plant? Will it be
difficult to install the plant – this may be a problem with roof type plant rooms.
Manifold rooms will require easy access for the regular delivery of heavy
cylinders and so may need an outside door with access for a lorry.
Additional space will be needed for the storage of spare cylinders. If a VIE is
proposed for the oxygen system suitable tanker access will be needed and the
vessel will need to be located well away from any potential fire risk areas. These
problems are much easier to solve at the early stage of a hospital design!
vi. Identify the Mains and Riser Locations

Now that the plant and Zone Service Unit locations have been identified and the
two can be connected by sketching on the drawings. If the installation is to be
carried out on more than one floor the riser locations need to be identified, usually
there is the provision of a suitable duct or mechanical services riser. Good access
is needed since the pipe sizes will generally be quite large, a single riser that goes
through to all the required floors is preferable.
The main pipeline routes are usually easy to establish, following the hospital street
or main duct. Pipelines should avoid where possible areas of high fire risk such as
kitchens, laundries, boiler houses, generator rooms and lift shaft. Pipelines should
follow routes where they can be adequately protected but also ventilated to avoid
the danger of gas build up in the event of leak.
vii. Decide on the Minor Pipeline Routes
The remainder of the pipelines can now be sketched on the drawings, bearing in
mind the points made above, the sketches are for indication only and time need not
be wasted putting on too much detail or marking precise routes.
Consideration should be given to the method of installation proposed or likely to

be used, ie. Surface mounted exposed pipelines or hidden in ceiling voids. Surface
mounting pipelines will result in a more tortuous path needing more pipework. If
future expansions are planned it is advisable to add these to the drawings at this
stage.
viii. Draw a Scaled Isometric Drawing

An isometric drawing is three dimensional type drawing that allows the complete
network of pipes, including risers and downdrops, to be illustrated on a sheet of
paper. Isometric paper has a grid of equal sided triangles, each side represents on
of the three axis, x, y or z. Generally a scale of 1:200 with pipe lengths rounded to
the nearest metre is adequate for design purposes.
Three metres should be allowed for downdrops to terminal units and ZSU’s
valves. Outlets gangs ie. O, A4, V should be identified on the drawing and also the
room type for the flow rate category should be included, ie. Bed, ITU etc.
ix. Produce Individual Gas Drawings

From the master isometric drawing produced in Step viii above, one copy can be
made for each gas service required for the project. Normally Oxygen, Nitrous
Oxide, 4 Bar Air, 7 Bar Air, Vacuum and one for the Alarm System.
x. Determine the Gas Flow Rates

Taking each gas service in turn mark on the flow rates for each branch of the
pipeline network, using the information given in HTM2022. This details the flow
rates for each type of outlet and specifies the level of diversity that can be applied.
(Diversity is a recognition that although each terminal unit must be capable of
passing a given flow rate such 40 litres per minute, no real system would need to
be capable of delivering this flow to all terminal units at the same time.)
Start at the most remote terminal unit in each area and consider each individual leg
of the pipeline run back to the plant or manifold. Only terminal units downstream
of the section will affect the flow rate in the branch. When all outlets have been
considered the resulting flow rate will be the “Total Hospital Design Flow Rate”.
xi. Selecting the Pipeline Sizes

Using the drawings above the most “remote” terminal unit in each area can be
selected for each service in turn. The most “remote” in this instance can mean
furthers away or worst case ie. Highest flows rate requirement.
The path from this terminal unit back to the source equipment may comprise of up
to twenty branches or sections of pipeline. A table can be constructed detailing
this part, with columns for length and flow rate. The appropriate table for the
service from Appendix 1, 2, 3 can then be used to calculate the total pressure drop
to this most remote terminal unit. The tables give details of the pressure loss down
particular pipe sizes for given flow rates.
The actual pressure loss for each leg is determined by interpolation. The engineer
will need to use his experience to choose appropriate sizes of pipe to start with, the
sum of all the branch losses on the direct route back to the plant will give a total
design pressure loss for the terminal unit. This loss should be within the allowable
loss of 10% of the start pressure.
If the loss is too much the pipe sizes can be increased until the loss falls within
acceptable limits. Once the “worst case” has been decided each further pipe
branch can be decided from this start point. This is a time consuming part of the
design process, which can only be improved with practice!
As a guide, it is usual to provide 12mm diameter pipework for the downdrops to

the terminal units only, all horizontal pipework should be a minimum of 15mm
diameter. Pipe sizes should be selected in order to balance cost with the final
performance of the system.
xii. Plant Selection
By using total hospital design flow rates from the above calculations the
appropriate source equipment can be selected. It should be understood that this
design flow is not an expected average flow rate but is considered to be a high
demand situation. So when estimating the plant or manifold storage capacity extra
diversity must be applied to get sensibly sized equipment. Manifolds should be
sized to store at least 2 days supply in each bank plus 3 days oxygen supply in
stock.
Oxygen is usually provided from a bulk liquid storage facility or VIE – some idea
of the actually usage expected can be seen by using HTM22 Appendix 4a which
gives the annual consumption for typical hospitals.
Nitrous Oxide is usually provided from a manifold, Appendix 4b gives the annual
consumption for typical hospitals, generally a 2x3 to 2x6 configuration will be
adequate.
Compressed air is usually supplied from a plant since it is a heavily used service,
which is critical for life support machines etc. A plant is selected to meet the full
design flow rate of the pipeline system with one pump on standby.
Vacuum must be supplied from a multiple pump installation, the plant should be
capable of delivering 75% of the design flow rate with one pump stationary.
Each system (apart from vacuum) should be equipped with some reserve facility
to provide limited continuity of supply in the event of a failure. This is usually
achieved by installing Reserve or Emergency Supply Manifolds.
xiii. Alarm Systems

The alarm system can be added at this stage. Plant alarms will need to be
positioned in each plant room and will need to relay fault conditions to remote
panels in permanently staffed areas. We recommend that as a minimum a plant
alarm be positioned in the reception or main control room and a further panel be
placed in the porters office. Local panels can be positioned as required adjacent to
the ZSU’s stations, with repeater panels or inputs to a master as necessary.
xiv. AGSS Systems
Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging Systems should only be installed in areas where
anaesthetic gases are administered as a general anaesthetic via a breathing system
ie. theatres and anaesthetic rooms.
Inhalation analgesia is used for pain relief and reduction of anxiety during
childbirth, dentistry (where the practice is usually referred to as relative analgesia)
and occasionally in physiotherapy, ITU and acute wards, using a mixture of
nitrous oxide and oxygen.
In midwifery, the analgesic is supplied as a mixture of 50% nitrous oxide / 50%

oxygen. In relative analgesia the anesthetist selects the composition of the gas by
adjusting the mixing valve of the relative analgesia equipment. In both cases,
administration is via a specially designed face mask, and the patient exhales
directly into the environment. Considerable spillage of nitrous oxide can occur
into the surrounding environment. It is not possible to use an AGSS when nitrous
oxide is administered in this way as an analgesia.
The principle being to remove unwanted anaesthetic gas from the exhaled breath
of the patient, which presents a long-term risk to the health of the hospital staff.
B. TYPICAL PROBLEMS WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS.
1. Lack of details, where pipes go and what they supply
2. Insufficient piped distribution system, extended without upgrading
3. Old equipment, obsolete, mis-matched, non-compliant
4. Plant capacity too small
5. Reliability problems – poor maintenance spare availability problems
6. Insufficient distribution of gases to clinical areas
7. Inadequate valving arrangements

C. SAMPLE HOSPITAL FLOWRATE CALCULATION
A TYPICAL 28 BED WARD PLAN DRAWING

(with oxygen and vacuum pipe route)
This ward consist of :-
3 x 6 bed
2 x 4 bed
2 x 1 bed
1 x Treatment Room
A TYPICAL 28 BED WARD PLUS TREATMENT ROOM
ISOMETRIC LAYOUT (OXYGEN)
a–b Q = 10 lpm
b–c Q = 10 lpm
c–d QW = 10 + (n-1) x 6 / 3 = 10 + (2-1) x 2 = 12 lpm
d–e QW = 20 lpm
e–f QW = 28 lpm
f–g QW = 32 lpm
g–h QW = 36 lpm
h–i QW = 44 lpm
i–j QW = 50 lpm
j–k QW = 52 lpm
k–l QW = 54 lpm
l–m QW = 60 lpm
m–n QW = 10 + (27-1) x 6 / 3 = 10 + 52 = 62 lpm
n–o QW = 66 lpm
HOSPITAL SCHEMATIC USED FOR
THEORETICAL DESIGN FLOWRATE CALCULATION
(OXYGEN)
66 66
Ward 1 Ward 2
p
132
66 66
Ward 3 Ward 4
q
264 52
40 188
Recovery
ICU x 6 bed OT x 4 x8
J
544
160 121
100
Delivery x
A&E x 4 bays 8 MOT
K
925
Plant L
Room
925
TOTAL THEORETICAL HOSPITAL DESIGN
FLOW RATE FOR OXYGEN
Pipe Section Hospital Zone Cumulative Flow lpm
p–q W1 + W2 132
q–J W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 264
J–K W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 + 6 ICU + 544
4 OT + 8 Recovery
K–L W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 + 6 ICU + 925
4 OT + 8 Recovery + 4 A&E +
8 Delivery + 1 MOT
Total theoretical diversified flow for Oxygen (O 2 ) = 925 lpm.
W (1, 2, 3 and 4) = QW = 10 + (n – 1) 6 = 10 + (29 – 1) = 66 lpm

3
6 ICU = QI = 10 + (nB – 1) 6 = 10 + (6 – 1) 6 = 40 lpm
4 OT = QT = 100 + 20 (T – 1) = 100 + 20 (4 – 1) = 160 lpm
4 Anaesthetic = QA = 10 + (A – 1) 6 = 10 + (4 – 1) 6 = 28 lpm
8 Recovery = QR = 10 + (n – 1) 6 = 10 + (8 – 1) 6 = 52 lpm
4 A&E = QT = 100 + 20 (T – 1) = 100 + 20 (4 – 1) = 160 lpm
8 Delivery = QM = 100 + (n – 1) 6 = 100 + (8 – 1) 3 = 121 lpm

2
1 MOT = QT = 100 + 20 (T – 1) = 100 + 20 (1 – 1) = 100 lpm
(VACUUM)
80 80
Ward 1 Ward 2
p
160
80 80
Ward 3 Ward 4
q
320 110
90 360
Recovery
J
880
240 220
80
Delivery x
A&E x 4 bays 8 MOT
K
1420
Plant L
Room
1420
FLOW RATE FOR VACUUM
p–q W1 + W2 160
q–J W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 320
J–K W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 + 6 ICU + 880
4 OT + 8 Recovery
K–L W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 + 6 ICU + 1,420
8 Delivery + 1 MOT
Total theoretical diversified flow for Vacuum (Vac) = 1,420 lpm.

Vacuum Plant selection is based on 75% of pipeline flow rate = 1,065 lpm.
W (28 Beds) = QW = 40 = 40 lpm
W (Treatment) = QM = 40 + (nB – 1) 40 = 40 + (1 – 1) 10 = 40 lpm

4
6 ICU = QI = 40 + (nB – 1) 40 = 40 + (6 – 1) 10 = 90 lpm
4
4 OT = QS = (120 x 2) + (S – 2) 120 = 240 + (4 – 2) 60 = 360 lpm
2
8 Recovery = QR = 40 + (nB – 1) 40 = 40 + (8 – 1) 10 = 110 lpm
4
4 A&E = QT = 160 + (nT – 2) 80 = 160 + (4 – 2) 40 = 240 lpm
2
8 Delivery (Mother)= QM = 40 + (nB – 1) 40 = 40 + (8 – 1) 10 = 110 lpm
4
8 Delivery (Baby) = QM = 40 + (nB – 1) 40 = 40 + (8 – 1) 10 = 110 lpm
4
1 MOT = QT = 80 = 80 lpm
(MEDICAL AIR)
Ward 1 Ward 2
p
Ward 3 Ward 4
q
58
240 140
Recovery
J
438
70 430
40
Delivery x
A&E x 4 bays 8 MOT
K
978
Plant L
Room
978
FLOW RATE FOR MEDICAL AIR
p–q W1 + W2 0
q–J W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 0
J–K W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 + 6 ICU + 438
4 OT + 8 Recovery
K–L W1 + W2 + W3 + W4 + 6 ICU + 978
8 Delivery + 1 MOT
Total theoretical diversified flow for Medical Air (MA) = 978 lpm.
6 ICU = QI = nB 80 = (6) 40 = 240 lpm

2
4 OT = QT = 40 + (T – 1) 40 = 40 + (4 – 1) 10 = 70 lpm
4
4 Anaesthetic = QA = 40 + (A – 1) 40 = 40 + (4 – 1) 10 = 70 lpm
4
8 Recovery = QR = 40 + (nB – 1) 10 = 40 + (8 – 1) 2.5 = 58 lpm
4
4 A&E = QMT = 40 + (T – 1) 40 = 40 + (4 – 1) 10 = 70 lpm
4
8 Delivery = QM = 40 + (T – 1) 40 = 40 + (8 – 1) 10 = 110 lpm
4
8 Neonatal = QN = nB 40 = (8) 40 = 320 lpm
1 MOT = QM = 40 + (T – 1) 40 = 40 + (1 – 1) 10 = 40 lpm
4
TABLE 2 Scale Of Provision Of Terminal Units
Department O2 N2O N2O/O2 MA4 SA7 Vac AGSS
Accident and emergency department
Resuscitation room
per trolley space 1 1 - 1 - 1 1
Major treatment/plaster room
per trolley space 1 1 1p 1 1p 1 1
Post-anaesthesia recovery
per trolley space 1 - - 1p - 1 -
Treatment room/cubicle 1 - - - - 1 -
Operating department
Anaesthesia room 1 1 - 1 - 1 1
Operating theatre
Anaesthetist 1 1 - 1 1p 2 1
Surgeon 1 1 - 1 1p 2 1
per bed space 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Equipment servic e room
per work space 1 1 - 1 1p 1 1
Maternity department
Normal delivery room
Mother 1 - 1 - - 1 -
Baby 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Abnormal delivery room
Mother 1 1 1 1 - 2 1
Baby 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Operating suite
Operating theatre
Anaesthetist 1 1 - 1 - 1 1
Obstetrician - - - - - 1 -
Paediatrician
per cot space (*) 1 - - 1 - 1 -
per work space 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Equipment service room (**)
per work space 1 1 1 1 - 1 1
Neonatal unit
Equipment service room (**)
(*) provision for 2 cots only, irrespective of number of cot spaces
(**) where the Delivery Suite and Neonatal Unit are in close proximity, one
equipment service room can be shared.
In-patient accommodation
Single bedroom 1 - - - - 1 -
Multi bedroom
per bed space 1 - - - - 1 -
Nursery
per cot space (*) 1 - - - - 1 -
(*) provision for 2 cots only, irrespective of number of cot spaces
Radiology department
Special procedures room 1 1 - 1 - 1 1
Department O2 N2O N2O/O2 MA4 SA7 Vac AGSS
Holding and recovery 1 - - 1p - 1 -
Ultrasound 1 - - - - 1 -
Fluoroscopy 1 - - - - 1 -
Urography 1 - - - - 1 -
General purpose room 1 - - - - 1 -
Tomography 1 - - - - 1 -
In-patient accommodation #
Single bedroom 1 - - 1p - 1 -
Multi-bedroom
per bed space 1 - - 1p - 1 -
Treatment room 1 - - 1p - 1 -
# appropriate for adult acute, children and elderly people
Intensive therapy unit (ITU)
per bed space 2 2p 2p 4 - 4 2p
Equipment service room
per work space 1 1p 1p 1 - 1 1p
Coronary care unit (CCU)
Acute mental illness accommodation
ECT room 1 1 - 1 - 1 1
Adult acute day care accommodation
Treatment room 1 - - - - 1 -
Anaesthetist 1 1p - 1p - 1 1p
Day patient accommodation
Single bedroom 1 - - - - 1 -
Multi-bedroom
per bed space 1 - - - - 1 -
Treatment room (p) 1 - - 1p - 1 -
Endoscopy room (p) 1 1p - 1p - 1 1p
Fracture clinic
Plaster room 1 1 - 1p 1p 1 1
Oral surgery, orthodontic department
Consulting/treatment room
Type 1 1 1p - 1 - 1 1p
Consulting/treatment room
Type 2 and 3 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Recovery room
per recovery position 1 - - - - 1 -
Appliance laboratory
per workstation - - - - 1 - -
Outpatient department
Treatment room 1 1p - 1p - 1 1p
Sterile services department
Washing room - - - 1 - - -
Packing room - - - - 1 - -
Medical equipment re-assembly
per workstation 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Medical equipment workroom
per workstation 1 - - 1 - 1 -
TABLE 4 Gas Flow – Flows Required at Terminal Units
Flows litres / min

Service Location Nominal
pressure kPae
Design flow Typical flow
required
Oxygen Theatres 400 100a 20
All other areas 400 10c 6
Nitrous Oxide All areas 400 15 6
Nitrous Oxide / Delivery rooms min 275 20
Oxygen Mixture
All other areas 310b 20 15
400
Medical Air 400 Theatres 400 40c 40
kPa
ITU/Neonatal 400 80c 80
CCU 400 80c 80
Other 400 20 10c
Surgical Air / Theatres 700 350d 350
Nitrogen
Vacuum Theatres 40 40 40
Recovery ( 300 mmHg 40 40
CCU below 40 40
atmospheric )
Ward areas 40 40
Nitric Oxide ITU, Neonatal 400 15 6
theatres
Oxygen/Carbon Cardio-Thoracic 400 100 40
Dioxide Mixture Theatres, Oncology
.a During oxygen flush in operating and anaesthetic rooms.

.b Minimum pressure at 275 l/min
.c These flows are for certain types of gas-driven ventilators under specific operating
condition, and nebulisers etc.
.d Surgical tools / tourniquets.
.e Pressure required at terminal unit, not pipeline.
TABLE 6 Oxygen Design and Diversified Flows
Department Design flow for Diversified flow Q l/m

each terminal
unit l/min
In-patient acute
Ward units – single and 10 QW = 10 + (n - 1) 6
multi-bedroom 3
Treatment rooms
Each ward unit
Department comprising 10 QD = QW 1 + (W - 1)
several ward units 2
ITU and CCU 10 QI = 10 + (nB – 1) 6
Adult acute day care
Major treatment room 100 QT = 100 + 20 (T - 1)
Endoscopy room 10 QE = 10 + (n - 1) 6
Recovery room 10 QR = 10 + (n - 1) 6
Delivery suite 10 QW = 10 + (n - 1) 6
2
Normal delivery room 100 QM = 100 + (n - 1) 6
2
Abnormal delivery room
Neonatal unit 10 QN = 10 + (n - 1) 6
Operating room 100 QT = 100 + 20 (T - 1)
Anaesthetic room 10 QA = 10 + (A - 1) 6
Legend for all tables
n = number of terminal units nB = number of bed spaces

W = number of ward units T = number of operating rooms
or major treatment rooms
A = number of anaesthetic rooms S = number of operating suites
(1 operating room + 1
anaesthetic room)
Q = diversified flow QW = diversified flow to ward
units
QD = diversified flow to a department QI = diversified flow to ITU or
CCU
QA = diversified flow to anaesthetic rooms QT = diversified flow to
operating rooms or major
treatment rooms
QR = diversified flow to maternity suite QN = diversified flow to neonatal
unit
QB = diversified flow to baby bed space QDent = diversified flow to dental
department
QWS = diversified flow to equipment workshop QP = diversified flow to plaster
room
TABLE 7 Nitrous Oxide Design and Diversified Flows
Department Design flow for each terminal Diversified flow Q l/m

unit l/min
All department 15 QW = 15 + (nB - 1) 6
nB = number of bed spaces or number of rooms as appropriate
TABLE 8 Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Mixtures Design and Diversified Flows
Department Design flow for each terminal Diversified flow Q l/m

unit l/min
Delivery rooms 275 QM = 275 + 20 (nB - 1)

2
Others areas 20 QI = 20 + 15 (nB - 1)

TABLE 10 Medical Air 400 kPa Design and Diversified Flows
Department Design flow for each Diversified flow Q l/m

terminal unit l/min
In-patient acute
Ward units – single and 20 QW = 20 + (n - 1) 10
multi-bedrooms 3
Treatment rooms
Each ward unit
Department comprising 20 QD = QW 1 + (W - 1)
several ward units 2
ITU and CCU 80 QI = (nB ) 80
2
Adult acute day care
Major treatment room 40 QT = 40 + (T - 1) 40
4
Endoscopy room
Delivery suite 40 QM = 40 + (T - 1) 40
4
Normal delivery room 40 QM = 40nB
Operating suite 40 QM = 40 + (T - 1) 40
4
Neonatal unit 40 QN = 40nB
Dental department
Major dental / oral 40 QDent = 40nB
surgery
Operating room 40 QT = 40 + (T - 1) 40
4
Anaesthetic room 40 QA = 40 + (A - 1) 40
4
Recovery 40 QR = 40 + (nB - 1) 10
4
Plaster room 40 QP = 40 + (nB - 1) 40
4
Accident and emergency
Major treatment / 40 QMT = 40 + (T - 1) 40
radiodiagnostic/ special 4
procedures
TABLE 12 Surgical Air 700 kPa Design and Diversified Flows

terminal unit l/min
Operating room 350 QT = 350 + (T - 1) 350

3
SDU, ODA 350 QWS = 350

Workshop etc
TABLE 13 Vacuum design and diversified flow

terminal unit l/min
In-patient acute
Ward units – single and 40 QW = 40
multi-bedrooms
Treatment rooms 40 QT = 40 + (nB - 1) 40
4
Departments -ward areas 40 QD = 80 + (nB-1)1
Operating room ( up to 2 40 QT = nT 80
OT)
Anaesthetic room (up to 40 QA = nT 40
2 room)
Operating suite
1 operating room 40 QS = (120 x 2) + (S - 2) 120
2
More than 2 OT QT = 160 + (nT – 2) 80

2
Recovery room 40 QR = 40 + (nB - 1) 40

4
ITU and CCU 40 QI = 40 + (nB - 1) 40

4
D. CALCULATING PRESSURE DROPS FOR PMG AND VACUUM SYSTEMS
USING HTM22 TABLES IN APPENDIX 1, 2, 3
The pressure drop down a particular length of BS2871:Part 1, Table X copper pipe can be
calculated using the attached tables. The correct table must be used for each service.
APPENDIX 1 is for gases at 60 psi (4 bar) ie. Oxygen, Nitrous Oxide and Medical Air.
APPENDIX 2 is for gases at 105 psi (7 bar) ie. Surgical Air.
APPENDIX 3 is for Medical Vacuum at 450 mmHg.
All tables are used in the same way:-
The length and design flow rate for the branch will already be known from the design
drawings. The remaining design data can be obtained from the tables. The initial pipe size
usually be selected using the design engineers experience, the resulting pressure drop will
indicate if the calculation needs to be repeated with the next larger size of pipe available.
The total pressure drop for a terminal unit is the sum of all of the pressure drops in each
leg of the system on the most direct route to the source equipment. Allowable pressure
drop is table out in Table 23.
Equation to calculate the pressure drop is:-
2
DP= LACT X FACT X PTH
LTH FTH
DP is the pressure drop to be calculated

LACT is the actual length of the pipe in question
LTH is the theoretical length of the pipe from the HTM Table
FACT is the actual flow in the pipe in question
FTH is the theoretical flow for the size selected in the from the HTM Table
PTH is the theoretical pressure drop of the pipe from the HTM Table
PRESSURE DROP CALCULATIONS
(VACUUM)
1. BRANCH FLOW RATE
A–B = 40 lpm
B–C = 40 lpm
C – D QR = 40 + (nB – 1) x 40/4 = 40 + (2-1) x 10 = 50 lpm
D – E QR = 40 + (8-1) x 10 = 110 lpm
E – F Recovery + 1 OT = 110 + 120 = 230 lpm
F – G Recovery + 2 OT = 110 + 240 = 350 lpm
G – H Recovery + 3 OT = 110 + (120 x 2) + [(S-2) x 120/2] = 410 lpm
H–I Recovery + 4 OT = 110 + 240 + 120 = 470 lpm
I– J Recovery + 4 OT + 6 ICU = 470 + [40 + {(nB-1) x 40/4}] = 560 lpm
J–K Recovery + 4 OT + 6 ICU + Wards 112 Bed with 4 Treatments
= 560 + [80 + {(nB-1) x1}] + [40 + {(nB-1) x 40/4)}]
= 560 + (80 + 111) + (40 + 30) = 560 + 191 + 70 = 821 lpm
K – L Recovery + 4 OT + 6 ICU + Wards 112 Beds with 4 Treatments +
4 A&E + 8 Delivery + 1 MOT
= 821 + 240 + 220 + 80 = 1,361 lpm
2. PRESSURE DROPS
Job Number : SE 012001 Hospital : Ikram Medical Centre, KL.

Date : 23-April-01 Engineer : Ismail Nordin
Vacuum System (mm Hg) Level :3
Branch Actual Actual Table Pipe Table Factor Pressure

Length Flow (lpm) Length Size Flow Drop
(m) (m) (mm) (lpm) (mmHg)
A-B 3 40 8 15 59 10 1.7236
B–C 4 40 8 15 59 10 2.2982
C–D 6 50 8 22 173 10 0.6265
D–E 12 110 15 22 116 10 7.1938
E– F 4 230 8 22 260 20 7.8254
F–G 6 350 8 28 350 10 7.5000
G-H 4 410 8 28 525 20 6.0989
H-I 36 470 61 35 503 50 25.7634
I-J 2 560 8 35 637 10 1.9321
J-K 5 821 8 42 1074 10 3.6522
K-L 55 1361 61 54 1737 50 27.6770
TOTAL 137 92.2912
Check.: max pressure drop allowed = 200 mmHg.

PRESSURE DROPS

Oxygen System (psi) Level :3

Length Flow (lpm) Length Size Flow Drop (psi)
(m) (m) (mm) (lpm)
A-B 3 10 8 12 311 1 0.0004
B–C 4 10 8 12 311 1 0.0005
C–D 6 16 8 15 579 1 0.0006
D–E 12 52 15 15 391 1 0.0141
E– F 4 162 8 15 579 1 0.0391
F–G 6 188 8 15 579 1 0.0791
G-H 4 214 8 15 579 1 0.0683
H-I 36 240 61 22 518 1 0.1267
I-J 2 280 8 22 1677 1 0.0070
J-K 5 544 8 22 1677 1 0.0658
K-L 55 925 61 28 1047 1 0.7038
TOTAL 137 1.1053
Check : max pressure drop 6 psi

PRESSURE DROPS

Medical Air 4 Bar System (psi) Level :3

Length Flow (lpm) Length Size Flow Drop (psi)
(m) (m) (mm) (lpm)
A-B 3 40 8 12 311 1 0.0062
B–C 4 40 8 12 311 1 0.0083
C–D 6 43 8 15 579 1 0.0041
D–E 12 58 15 15 391 1 0.0176
E– F 4 218 8 22 1677 1 0.0084
F–G 6 238 8 22 1677 1 0.0151
G-H 4 258 8 22 1677 1 0.0188
H-I 36 278 61 28 1047 1 0.0416
I-J 2 518 8 28 3363 1 0.0059
J-K 5 518 8 28 3363 1 0.0148
K-L 55 1058 61 28 1530 2 0.8623
TOTAL 137 0.9963
Check : max pressure drop 6 psi

PRESSURE DROP CALCULATIONS (OXYGEN)
PRESSURE DROP CALCULATIONS (MEDICAL AIR)
TABLE 23 PRESSURE DURING PIPELINE SYSTEM TEST
Medical gas Pipeline Terminal Unit Max pressure Min pressure Plant pressure
distribution Test Flow l/min drop in pipeline (this may vary by kPa
pressure kPa (see ‘Design at system ± 5% between
consideration’ for design flow max flow and
design flows) kPa static condition
kPa)
O2 400 10-100 40 370 430-490

N2 O, NO
15
Medical
20-80
Air 400
kPa
O2 /N2 O 400 20 90 310 430-490
mixture
275
inhalationary
gasps
Surgical 770 350 110* 700 kPa at 350 See ‘Design
Air 700 l/min (max 900 considerations’
kPa kPa at no flow
condition)
Vacuum 53.3 kPa (400 40 26.6 40 kPa
mm Hg) (200 mmHg) (300 mm Hg)
below
standard
atmospheric
pressure of
101.3 kPa
(760 mmHg)
* To the back of the local regulator or terminal unit.

APPENDIX 1 Medical Gases Pipe Line Sizing – Using BS 2871 : Part 1 Table X Copper Pipes
BS2871 Part 1 Table X Distance from source at 60 PSIG (400 kPa) for 1, 2 and 3 psi (7, 14 and 21 kPa) pressure loss (m)
Outside diameter Pressure Meter 8 15 30 61 91 122 152 183 213 244 274 305 355 366 396 427 457
(psi)
mm Free air flow rate, litres per minute
1 311 209 141 95 75 64 56 50 46 43 40 37 35 34 32 31 30

12 2 455 307 207 139 110 94 74 74 68 63 59 55 52 50 47 45 44
3 564 382 258 174 138 117 93 93 85 78 73 69 65 62 59 57 55
1 579 391 263 177 140 119 94 94 86 80 75 70 66 63 60 58 56
15 2 845 572 386 260 207 175 139 139 127 118 110 104 98 93 89 85 82
3 1038 711 481 325 258 219 173 173 159 147 137 129 122 117 111 107 102
1 1677 1135 768 518 411 349 277 277 254 235 220 207 196 186 178 170 164
22 2 2441 1656 1123 759 604 513 407 407 373 345 323 304 288 274 262 251 241
3 3023 2053 1395 945 751 638 507 507 465 431 403 379 359 342 326 313 301
1 3363 2283 1547 1047 832 706 560 560 514 476 445 419 397 378 361 346 332
28 2 4881 3320 2257 1530 1218 1035 823 823 754 699 653 615 583 555 530 508 488
3 6034 4109 2800 1901 1514 1287 1024 1024 938 870 814 767 726 691 660 633 609
1 6023 4096 2783 1886 1500 1275 1013 1013 928 861 805 758 718 683 653 626 602
35 2 8720 5943 4051 2752 2192 1865 1483 1483 1360 1261 1180 1111 1053 1002 957 918 883
3 10758 7344 5018 3415 2723 2317 1845 1845 1692 1569 1468 1383 1310 1248 1192 1143 1099
1 10103 6883 4685 3180 2533 2154 1713 1713 1570 1456 1362 1283 1215 1157 1105 1060 1019
42 2 14587 9963 6806 4633 3694 3145 2504 2504 2296 2130 1993 1878 1780 1694 1619 1553 1493
3 17963 12290 8421 5743 4584 3904 2446 3112 2855 2648 2478 2335 2213 2107 2014 1932 1858
BS2871 Part 1 Table X Distance from source at 105 PSIG (700 kPa) for 1, 2 and 3 psi (7, 14 and 21 kPa) pressure loss (m)
(psi)
mm Free air flow rate, litres per minute
1 408 276 186 125 99 84 74 67 61 56 53 50 47 45 43 41 39

12 2 599 405 274 185 147 124 109 99 90 84 78 74 70 66 63 61 58
3 979 664 450 304 242 205 181 163 149 138 129 122 115 110 105 100 96
1 759 514 347 234 186 158 139 125 114 106 99 93 88 84 80 77 74
15 2 1112 754 510 345 274 232 205 184 169 156 146 138 130 124 118 114 109
3 1811 1231 836 566 450 383 337 304 279 258 242 227 215 205 196 188 180
1 2192 1488 1009 682 542 460 406 366 335 310 290 273 259 246 235 225 217
22 2 3198 2175 1478 1001 797 677 597 538 493 457 428 403 381 363 347 332 320
3 5180 3533 2410 1638 1306 1111 980 884 811 752 704 663 628 598 571 548 527
1 4387 2984 2027 1374 1093 929 819 739 677 628 587 553 524 498 476 456 439
28 2 6382 4351 2963 2013 1604 1364 1203 1086 995 923 863 813 771 734 701 672 646
3 10290 7038 4816 3283 2620 2232 1970 1779 1632 1514 1417 1335 1266 1205 1152 1105 1063
1 7841 5345 3638 2470 1968 1674 1476 1332 1221 1132 1059 998 945 900 860 825 793
35 2 11380 7775 5307 3612 2881 2453 2165 1954 1792 1662 1556 1466 1389 1323 1264 1212 1166
3 18271 12528 8599 5876 4696 4003 3536 3194 2931 2720 2547 2401 2276 2168 2073 1988 1912
1 13128 8964 6113 4159 3316 2823 2490 2248 2061 1912 1789 1686 1598 1521 1454 1394 1341
42 2 19010 13012 8901 6070 4847 4129 3646 3293 3021 2803 2624 2473 2344 2232 2134 2047 1969
3 30392 20892 14381 9849 7881 6723 5942 5371 4930 4577 4286 4042 3833 3651 3491 3349 3223
BS2871 Part 1 Table X Distance from source at 450 mmHg (gauge) for 10, 20, 30 and 50 mmHg pressure loss (m)
Mm (psi) Free air flow rate, litres per minute
10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
12 20 47 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
30 60 40 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
50 82 55 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 59 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
15 20 89 59 40 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
30 113 76 51 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
50 153 103 69 46 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 173 116 78 52 41 - - - - - - - - - - - -
22 20 260 174 117 79 62 53 46 42 - - - - - - - - -
30 330 222 149 100 79 67 59 53 49 45 42 40 - - - - -
50 445 301 203 137 108 92 81 73 67 62 57 54 51 49 46 45 43
10 350 236 159 106 84 71 63 56 51 48 44 42 40 - - - -
28 20 525 353 238 160 127 107 94 85 78 72 67 63 60 57 54 52 50
30 666 448 303 204 161 137 120 108 99 92 86 81 76 73 69 66 64
50 900 607 412 278 220 187 164 148 135 125 117 110 104 99 95 91 87
10 637 427 288 193 153 130 114 102 94 87 81 76 72 69 65 63 60
35 20 947 638 431 290 230 195 171 154 141 131 122 115 109 103 99 95 91
30 1198 808 548 369 293 248 218 197 180 167 156 147 139 132 126 121 116
50 1614 1091 743 503 399 339 298 269 246 228 213 200 190 180 172 165 158
10 1074 724 488 328 260 220 194 174 160 148 138 130 123 117 111 107 103
42 20 1598 1079 731 493 391 331 291 262 240 222 208 196 185 176 168 161 155
30 2016 1363 926 626 497 422 371 334 306 283 265 249 236 224 214 205 197
50 2706 1833 1254 851 677 574 506 456 417 387 361 340 322 306 293 280 270
10 2191 1480 1001 674 535 453 399 359 329 304 284 268 253 241 230 220 212
54 20 3246 2196 1493 1010 802 681 599 540 494 458 428 403 381 363 346 332 319
30 4083 2766 1889 1281 1019 865 762 687 629 582 545 513 485 462 441 423 406
50 5448 3699 2549 1737 1384 1176 1037 935 856 794 742 699 662 630 601 576 554
10 5521 3773 2563 1733 1377 1169 1029 927 849 786 735 692 655 623 595 570 548
76 20 8070 5563 3807 2586 2058 1749 1541 1389 1273 1179 1103 1038 983 936 894 857 823
30 10041 6968 4801 3274 2609 2219 1957 1765 1617 1499 1402 1320 1250 1190 1137 1090 1048
50 13166 9233 6439 4421 3533 3009 2655 2396 2197 2037 1906 1796 1701 1619 1547 1483 1426
COPPER PIPES
Pipes are phosphorous deoxidised non-arsenical copper to BS6017 grade C106. Piped sizes and
manufactured are half hard to BS 2871 Part1 Table X. In addition to the marking requirements of
BS 2871, piped are marked DEG or Degreased to represent compliance with the Medical
degreasing specification.
BS 2871 : Part1 : 1971, Table X
Outside diameter
Calculated Maximum
Size of tube Nominal
bursting working
(mm) thickness
pressure pressure
Maximum Minimum (mm)

(mm) (bar) (bar)
(mm)
12 12.045 11.965 0.6 265 63
15 15.045 14.965 0.7 240 58
22 22.055 21.975 0.9 215 51
28 28.055 27.975 0.9 165 40
35 35.077 34.990 1.2 175 42
42 42.070 41.990 1.2 145 35
54 54.070 53.990 1.2 110 27
76 76.300 76.150 1.5 100 24
108 108.250 108.00 1.5 80 17
159 159.500 159.250 2.0 60 15
FITTINGS
Fittings are phosphorous deoxidised non-arsenical copper to BS 6017 grade C106, of sizes and
manufactured to BS 864 Part 2. Degreased for use on Medical Gas Pipeline Systems.
APPENDIX 4A
Oxygen
Annual consumption of oxygen
Non-teaching hospitals Teaching hospitals

Nominal bed Average Maximum Average Maximum
complement
1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
33 33 33 33 33 33 33
ft m ft m ft m ft m 33
100 50 1.4 350 9.9 230 6.5 240 6.8
200 150 4.2 720 20.4 400 11.3 570 16.1
300 240 6.8 1100 31.1 510 14.4 1020 28.9
400 340 9.6 1520 43.0 630 17.8 1600 45.3
500 440 12.5 1950 55.2 750 21.2 2300 65.1
600 530 15.0 2370 67.1 870 24.6 3100 87.8
700 620 17.6 2800 79.3 990 28.0 4050 114.7
800 710 20.1 3240 91.7 1120 31.7 - -
900 810 22.9 3700 104.8 1260 35.7 - -
1000 920 26.1 4200 118.9 1400 39.6 - -
1100 1030 29.2 - - 1540 43.6 - -
1200 1140 32.3 - - 1680 47.6 - -
The “maximum” figures quoted are those which are not to be exceeded by more than 2½% off all
hospitals of the two types.
The figures are based on the actual consumption of piped oxygen in 84 non-teaching hospitals
(including 39 acute and 18 mainly acute) and 26 teaching hospitals (including 17 acute) in
1966/67. It excludes all supplies in small cylinders. No hospital using a hyperbaric chamber was
included in this survey.
APPENDIX 4B
Nitrous Oxide
Annual consumption of Nitrous Oxide
Nominal bed Type “A” Hospitals Type “B” Hospitals Type “C” Hospital
Average Maximum Average Maximum Average Maximum
complement
1000 m33 1000 m33 1000 m33 1000 m33 1000 m33 1000 m33
gals. gals. gals. gals. gals. gals.
100 - - 658 2990 117 530 440 2000 129 590 430 1950
200 188 850 862 3920 185 840 508 2310 158 720 459 2090
300 391 1780 1065 4840 252 1150 575 2610 186 850 487 2210
400 595 2700 1269 5770 320 1450 643 2920 215 980 516 2350
500 799 3630 1473 6700 387 1760 710 3230 243 1100 544 2470
600 1003 4560 1677 7620 454 2060 777 3530 271 1230 572 2600
700 1207 5490 1881 8550 522 2370 845 3840 300 1360 601 2730
800 1410 6410 2084 9470 589 2680 912 4150 328 1490 629 2860
900 1614 7330 2288 10400 657 2990 980 4460 357 1620 658 2990
1000 1818 8260 2492 11320 724 3290 1047 4760 385 1750 686 3120
1100 2022 9190 2696 12260 791 3600 1114 5060 413 1880 714 3250
1200 2226 10120 2900 13180 859 3910 1182 5370 442 2010 743 3380
Annual consumption of Nitrous Oxide in various type of hospitals.
Type “A” Acute teaching and “others” teaching

Type “B” Acute; maternity; maternity teaching; tuberculosis and chest; children’s acute and
“other”
Type “C” Mainly acute; mainly acute teaching; partly acute and orthopaedic
Classification as for the hospital costing returns.
The “maximum” figures quoted are those which should no be exceeded by more than 2½% of all
hospitals.
Figures below dotted lines have been obtained by interpolation. Based on equations given by
Carson W. Consumption of nitrous oxide in hospitals “The Hospital Engineer” Vol. XXII. No. 23
March 1968 pp. 53-56.
E. ANAESTHETIC GAS SCAVENGING SYSTEM (AGSS)
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AGSS

There are reports indicating a link between involuntary exposure to anaesthetic gases and
spontaneous abortions. Common complaints among those working with anaesthetics are a
feeling of sickness, tiredness and headaches. To this end the AGSS was introduced to
alleviate those problems associated with waste gases. As the patient exhales, the was gas is
drawn into the face mask and through the system until it is exhausted to atmosphere.
It is critical then that the design and performance of the system is exactly right. The British
Standards Institute prepared BS6834 : 1987 which specifies the minimum performance
and safety requirements for active anaesthetic gas scavenging systems and their
component parts intended to reduce the exposure of hospital personnel to anaesthetic gases
and vapours. To achieve the correct performance specified, a transfer and receiving system
manufactured to the same British Standard should be used.
Waste anaesthetic gas, diluted by room air within the attached receiving system, is
transmitted by vacuum which is generated by an exhauster unit. Vacuum levels within the
pipeline installation, and flowrates at the terminal units are controlled by vacuum/flow
regulating valves. Waste gas is safely discharged to atmosphere via a fixed Medical Gas
Pipeline Installation and an exhaust silencer (if required).
A simplex installation consists of a single exhauster unit operates by remote start switches
and an individual vacuum/flow regulating valve. With larger installations, additional
vacuum/flow regulating valves may be fitted to control the vacuum and flow levels within
specified areas.
Duplex installations consist of a double exhauster unit controlled by an automatic

changeover circuit which will pull in the ‘standby’ exhauster unit when system exceed
condition demand. The exhauster can be set to operate at 100% or 70% of the maximum
system demand.
With the exhauster units rated at 100%, the automatic changeover circuit will select the
‘standby’ unit should the ‘duty’ fail because of defect. It does this by utilising a pressure
switch set to operate when vacuum levels fall below a predetermined figure.
When the exhauster units are set to 70%, pressure switches operate the ‘standby’ exhauster
unit in addition to the ‘duty’ unit to provide for maximum system demands.
The vacuum/flow regulating valve is a spring loaded plate valve which senses the vacuum
in the disposal system. The plate valve opens to allow air ingress into the disposal system
thereby controlling the vacuum level.
The number and installation position of the regulating valves fitted to system is a function
of system design to achieve the required performance. Each valve, by controlling the
vacuum level, ensures that the flow rate at the terminal unit is maintained within the
design limits, regardless of how many terminal units are in use.
The vacuum/flow regulating valve is manually adjusted, set during commissioning and
further adjustment should not be necessary.
The air inlet of the regulating valve is fitted with a silencer to reduce the noise of induced
air flow. The presence of the regulating valve also ensures that the exhauster unit does not
run on a totally closed system, thereby reducing the possibility of exhauster unit
overheating.
AGSS DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH BS 6834 : 1987
Matching the exhauster unit size to the specific pipeline installation, and to the
corresponding number of terminal units is critical.
The model / size of the exhauster unit depends upon the requirements of the total system,
ie. the number of terminal units and pipeline installation losses.
In order to select the correct model / size of exhauster unit, the total system delivery is
calculated by the number of terminal units multiplied by the design flow rate (120 lpm has
been proven to be correct for the exhauster unit selection criteria and represents an average
of all terminal units).
AGSS – SIMPLIFIED SCHEMATIC
Plant room
Air inlet
Alternative position of
Pressure switch vacuum/flow regulating valves
(optional) (positions for larger
installations) Terminal
Vacuum/Flow Units
Regulating Valve Air inlet
(position for smaller
installations)
Exhaust Air inlet

silencer
(optional)
Electrical power supply

240V, 1 phase or 415V
3 phase
Exhauster Starter/isolator
unit filters panel assembly
Drain valve
assembly
Remote start switch panels

with indicator lights
Coverplate
Motor end cap
Impeller casing
Exhauster unit Motor Motor junction box
Distribution
and terminal units
Pressure switch
Vacuum/Flow
Regulating Valve
Air inlet
NRV NRV
Electrical power supply

Exhaust 415V, 3 phase Exhaust
Starter/isolator
panel assembly
Exhauster unit Exhauster unit
Note...
To be used in conjunction with figure above
Remote start switch panels

with indicator lights
Design Flow Rate – Calculation
Example:- 13 terminal units x 120 lpm = 1,560

The design flow rate for the installation = 1,560 lpm.
Vacuum / Flow Regulating Valve
The correct installation position and the correct setting ensures that the design flow rate (or
as near as it permissible) is available at the terminal units.
It also ensure that the maximum permissible vacuum level of 200 mb (20 kPa) is not
exceed.
Terminal
Unit
Exhauster
Regulating
Valve
The regulating valve is designed to control the flow rate of a maximum of 8 terminal units.
An installation that has more than 8 terminal units must be broken down into part
installations. Each part installation must be controlled by its own regulating valve.
The regulating valve must be positioned so that a direct line from any terminal unit to
exhauster unit passes through only one regulating valve.
All terminal units are included in the total system design and the only diversity factor is
when more than one terminal unit is fitted to one theatre. In this situation only one
terminal unit in each theatre is considered to be use unless otherwise specified.
The maximum pressure drop between the regulating valve and the nearest terminal unit
must not exceed 25mb.
The maximum pressure drop between the regulating valve and the furthest terminal unit
must not exceed 59mb. Therefore it is important to design the position of the regulating
valve as close as possible to its respective terminal units.
When the distance from the exhauster unit is very long, the maximum pressure drop
between the exhauster unit and the furthest terminal unit is exceed. Therefore a change to
the design is required, ie. either introduce another regulator valve or to increase the pipe
sizes especially to remote terminal units. This will ensure theoretical performance is
maintained.
Pump Decision Making
In our earlier example of system design, the design flow required was 1,560 lpm. If we
look at the Figure 1, it can be seen that the pump selected is the 340-2V model, which
allows us pipe losses of up to 105mb.
If there are 20 terminal units in the system, the flow rate required would be 2,400 lpm. By
using the graph in Figure 1, you will see that the suction at the pump drops below 145mb
(the suction required to produce 110 – 130 lpm at the terminal units). In this situation it
would be better to consider using a duplex installation which provides 70% of the total
system capacity by the ‘duty’ exhauster, and the remaining 30% by the ‘standby’
exhauster.
Pump Decision Making – Figure 1
TABLE 24: Pressure Drop In Straight Pipe At A Maximum Working Vacuum Of 200mb.
Nominal Pipe Size

Flow
(lpm) 15 22 28 35 42 54 76
Loss of suction per meter length (mb)

120 3.99 0.48 - - - - -
240 15.94 1.95 1.49 - - - -
360 - 4.39 1.10 0.34 - - -
480 - 7.81 1.96 0.61 0.22 - -
600 - 12.21 3.06 0.96 0.34 - -
720 - 17.58 4.42 1.38 0.49 - -
840 - - 6.06 1.89 0.67 - -
960 - - 7.85 2.46 0.87 0.21 -
1080 - - 9.94 3.11 1.10 0.27 -
1200 - - 12.27 3.84 1.37 0.34 -
1320 - - - 4.65 1.65 0.41 -
1440 - - - 5.53 1.97 0.48 -
1560 - - - 6.50 2.31 0.57 -
1680 - - - 7.54 2.68 0.66 -
1800 - - - 8.65 3.08 0.76 -
1920 - - - 9.84 3.50 0.86 -
2040 - - - - 3.95 0.97 -
2160 - - - - 4.44 1.09 -
2280 - - - - 4.94 1.21 -
2400 - - - - 5.48 1.34 0.21
2520 - - - - 6.04 1.49 0.23
2640 - - - - 6.63 1.63 0.26
2760 - - - - 7.00 1.72 0.27
2880 - - - - - - 0.30
3000 - - - - - - 0.33
3120 - - - - - - 0.36
3240 - - - - - - 0.39
3360 - - - - - - 0.41
3480 - - - - - - 0.44
3600 - - - - - - 0.48
3720 - - - - - - 0.50
3840 - - - - - - 0.51
Pipe sizing the system
Looking at the above table, it can be seen that the pressure losses increase with a decrease
in pipe size. To this end it is best to use the largest pipe available for the least amount of
loss. However, as cost seriously influences the customer, and cost increases with an
increase in pipe diameter, we need to find a happy medium.
There are a couple of guidelines to follow, namely:-

1. Try to use 28mm pipework for horizontal runs.
2. Down drop sizes are either 15mm or 22mm.
For the rest it really is a case of “suck it and see” at the design stage. As a small exercise, I
shall attempt to demonstrate in the next few pages, how to calculate the pressure losses
and adjust the design as required.
120 lpm A
E
TU
B
240 lpm
1. TU – A = 2 m 480 lpm
2. A - B = 16 m
3. B – C = 20 m
4. C – D = 9 m
Exhauster
Recovery
Figure 2
Pressure Drop calculations between regulator valve and furthest Terminal Unit (TU).
Furthest terminal unit – when calculating the furthest TU it is assumed that all terminal
units are in use, (bearing in mind the diversity factor).
TU - A = 2 m + Elbow @ 15 mm = 2.18 m (1)

A - B = 16 m + (2x T run) + Elbow @ 22 mm = 16.62 m (2)
B - C = 20 m + T run @ 22 mm = 20.15 m (3)
C - D =9m @ 22 mm = 9m (4)
(1) 120 lpm 2.18 m @ 15 mm = 2.18 m x 3.99 mb/m = 8.7 mb

(2) 120 lpm 16.62 m @ 22 mm = 16.62 m x 0.48 mb/m = 8.0 mb
(3) 240 lpm 20.15 m @ 22 mm = 20.15 m x 1.95 mb/m = 39.3 mb
(4) 480 lpm 9.0 m @ 22 mm = 9.0 m x 7.81 mb/m = 70.3 mb
126.3 mb
Now, it is immediately obvious, that if I had a brain I wouldn’t have used 22 mm pipe
more or less through-out. However, I have done this to show how the furthest terminal unit
fails the maximum pressure loss guideline given in BS 6834:1987, which was no more that
59 mb.
By replacing the 22 mm pipe with the 28 mm pipe, the pressure loss for this leg changes to
36.5 mb. A drastic improvement, I’m sure everybody agree!.
The same method of calculation is used for all legs of the system, and the easier way to
deal with a large drawing is to split it into smaller legs and work each one out individually.
The biggest trick is to get the regulating valve as close as possible to its respective
terminal units thereby making it easier to obtain the flows required.
TABLE 25: Pressure Losses Due To Fittings (given in the equivalent length (m) of
straight pipe)
Nominal pipe size Pulled bend On run of tee Elbow fitting Tee from side
(mm)
15 0.10 0.10 0.18 0.36
22 0.15 0.15 0.32 0.67
28 0.25 0.25 0.50 1.00
35 0.30 0.30 0.60 1.21
42 0.38 0.38 0.77 1.53
54 0.53 0.53 1.07 2.13
76 0.80 0.80 1.60 3.20
5. INSTALLATION - SPECIFICATIONS
A. MANIFOLDS
i. Should be connected via a control panel, which provides 2 equal banks of
gas cylinders.
ii. Change-over should be automatic
iii. Should be capable of passing full pipeline flow
iv. Total storage should be for 1 week’s supply (2 days per bank + 3 days’
supply in store)
v. Failure of electricity supply should not disrupt flow of gas.
vi. Manifold header should have renewable non-return valve
vii. Tail-pipe should be gas-specific
Pressure Control
i. There should be separate pressure regulating valves for each bank (repair /
servicing of one bank should not affect continuity of gas supply.
ii. Pressure safety valves should be the self-closin g type. Its flow capacity
should be at least equal to that of pressure regulator, upstream.
iii. Discharge pipe should be at least one size larger than main pipe. It should
be vented outside building.
B. EMERGENCY RESERVE SUPPLY
i. Must be provided for all PMGS excluding Surgical Air.

ii. Where practical, it should be able to supply same flow rate as primary
system and should have enough cylinders to supply for at least 4 hours
(max. 6 cylinders but if more is required, the cylinders should be held in
manifold room).
iii. Non-return valves and isolating valve should be installed upstream.
iv. During emergency, it should be brought into action automatically via non-
return valve.
C. BULK LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEMS
i. A vacuum insulated evaporator (VIE) is a tank used to store cryogenic

liquids (like liquid oxygen).
ii. Should be made of stainless steel (inner vessel) with perlite steel for outer
vessel and high vacuum in between like a vacuum flask.
iii. Should be selected to provide 14 days supply.
iv. Emergency back-up equivalent to 24 hours average use should be
available on site, provided by:-
a. another VIE or
b. cylinder manifold (but maximum to 20 cylinders)
D. MEDICAL AIR
“Air Is The Only Drug Manufactured On Site” …….. by the hospital
Quality
Should be as per BSEN132 : 1991:-
PARAMETER SPECIFICATIONS
a. Oxygen : 20.9 + 1.0%
b. Nitrogen : 78%
c. Particulate contamination : Practically free from visible particles
d. Water content : 115 vpm (0.095 mg/l)
(equivalent to dewpoint of – 40o C at
atmospheric pressure)
e. CO : 5 ppm
f. CO2 : 500 ppm
g. Oil content (droplet or mist) : <0.5 mg/m3
h. Odour : practically odourless
Siting
i. All round access for maintenance or major component changing
ii. Should allow adequate flow of air
- for air intake
- for cooling of compressed by after coolers for cooling of
compressors
Compressor Noise
Reciprocating Screw Vane Power
85 dBA 76 dBA 76 dBA 0-75 KW
89 dBA 78 dBA 76 dBA 7.6 – 15 KW
93 dBA 80 dBA 79 dBA 15.1 – 22 KW
97 dBA 92 dBA 90 dBA 22.1 – 60 KW
Compressor Type
i. Reciprocating piston
ii. Rotary Vane
iii. Rotary Screw
Air Intake
i. At least 5m above level
ii. Away from engine exhaust, vacuum discharge, AGSS, ventilation system etc.
Plant Configuration
i. At least 2 air compressors (duplex)
ii. Total capacity will provide 100% of system design with one compressor not
running
iii. Arranged in such a way that compressors will supply system simultaneously if
necessary
After Coolers
i. Should be fitted to oil-lubricated medical air compressor systems. (NOT required
if water-sealed screw compressors)
Receivers
i. Should comply to BS 5169 : 1992 Class 3
ii. Min. water capacity should be 50% of compressor output in 1 minute of FAA
iii. Should be fitted with automatic drainage
Air Treatment And Filtration

CONTAMINANTS come from:-
- Atmosphere
- Compressor
- Pipeline
Filtration Equipment:-
- Pre-Filters
- Coalescing Filters
- Carbon Filters
- Particulate Filters: particle removal down to 1 micron
- Bacteria Filters: particle removal 0.01 mg/m3
Types Of Contaminants:-
- Dirt Particles : (80% are less than 0.2 micron NOT removed by
intake filters, which 5 micron)
- Water : 2.5 g/m3 to 40 g/m3 . To comply to standards, this
should be 0.095 mg/litre, equivalent to dewpoint
– 40o C
- Oil : Should be 0.1 mg/m3
Pressure Control
i. They should be duplex line pressure regulators with isolating valve
ii. There should be a test point shut-off valve and a terminal unit to permit sampling
of medical air quality
iii. There should be safety valves (to BS 6759 Part 2 : 1984)
a. on delivery pipe of each compressor
b. upstream of isolating valve, non-return valve or after coolers
c. capable of discharging total throughput of the compressor
d. immediately downstream of each pressure regulator
Automatic Drainage Traps

i. Automatic, electrically or mechanically operated
ii. Should be provided on after coolers, receivers, separators and coalescing filters
Non-Return Valves
i. To prevent back flow in certain situation
ii. Fitted: a. between compressor and receiver
b. downstream of dust filter on dryer
c. upstream of emergency cylinder reserve
d. upstream of any inlet point used to feed system during emergency
e. downstream of emergency cylinder manifold regulator
Isolating Valves
i.. Should be connected downstream of non-return valves and upstream of connection
to emergency reserve manifold
Pressure Indicators
i. Pressure indicators should comply to BS 1780 : 1985 (1992)
ii. All gauges scale should have a minimum scale length of 90 mm
iii. Working range should not exceed 65% of full scale range
iv. If digital, height of display should not be less than 14 mm
Operating And Indicating System

i. Should be capable of automatically restarting after reinstatement of power supply.
Should be connected to standby electrical supply.
ii. Compressors should start in sequence to avoid overloading of essential power
supply. Two or more compressors should not start simultaneously.
iii. Plant control unit should have separate power supply for each compressor,
controlled by a separate sub-circuit.
iv. There should be individual starter unit for each compressor. The starters should
have safety interlocks which will prevent plant operation until manually reset by
means of a button.
Dryer Control Unit

i. There should be separate power supplier for “duty” and “standby” dryer
assemblies taken from the same phase.
ii. Automatic changeover to “Standby” dryer in the event of failure in “duty” dryer
E. VACUUM
i. Designed to maintain a vacuum of at least 300 mm Hg. (40 kPa) at each terminal
unit during system design flow test.
ii. Should consist of at least 2 identical pumps, c/w
- a vacuum reservoir
- 2 duplex bacteria filters + drainage, c/w
- non-return valves
- gauges
- pressure switches
- operating and indicating system
- exhaust system
- a test point
iii. Should have access all around
iv. Should allow for adequate flow of air to cool pumps
v. Pump Noise – should not exceed:-
Pump Noise
Power Noise Level
5 kW 75 dBA
5.1 – 15 kW 82 dBA
15 kW 89 dBA
Vacuum Plant Exhaust

i. clear of windows, intake of air compressors etc.
ii. should have drainage valve
Vacuum Pump
i. Minimum 2 identical pumps
ii. Total capacity must be 75% of system design with one pump NOT running
iii. Pump motors to comply C51 with Class F insulation. Class B Temperature rise
Vacuum Reservoir
i. Water capacity should be equal to design flow at 450 mmHg. FAA with one
pump running
ii. Drainage facilities
iii. Bypass facilities
iv. Arranged in parallel (if multiple reservoir)
Bacteria Filter
i. rated at plant capacity
ii. marked “BIO – HAZARD”
iii. less than 0.005%, at system design flow (sodium flame test to BS 3928 – 1969)
iv. pressure drop across filter: less than 25 mmHg at 475 mmHg
v. fitted with transparent sterilisable bowl
Plant Control Unit

i. Should have separate power supply for each pump to IEE regulations
ii. Design in such a way that no single component failure should result in loss of
output
iii. Two or more pump should not start simultaneously
Plant Starter Unit
i. Pumps should have individual starter units
ii. Allows automatic restart after interruption of supply
Plant Status Monitoring

i. To detect faults in system, eg. Control circuit, motor tripped, etc.
F. ANAESTHETIC GAS SCAVENGING SYSTEMS (AGSS)

i. Waste anaesthetic gases are:-
- Nitrous Oxide : from pipeline
- Halothane
- Enflurane from vaporiser on anaesthetic machines
- Isoflorane
ii. Should comply to BS 6834 : 1992
iii. AGSS terminal units should only be in areas where general anaesthetics are used
like o.t’s, anaesthetic rooms etc.
iv. It is not possible to use agss when nitrous oxide in areas where it is used as
analgesic (i.e. mixture of O2 and N2 O)
v. There are 2 types of AGSS
a. active
b. passive : not recommended
vi. Medical vacuum should not be used as agss
vii. Safety criteria
i. Positive pressure at
inlet to transfer system : 50 Pa at 30 l/min and 500 Pa at 90 l/m
ii. Max. induced flow to
receiving system : 0.5 l/min
G. PIPELINE INSTALLATION
Accommodation of Pipes
i. Should be away from potential mechanical, damage, chemical damage or
excessive heat
ii. Service ducts should have adequate ventilation
iii. Should be protected from possibility of lightning strike
iv. Clearance of 25 mm from each service
v. Clearance of 150 mm from steam pipes, hot water pipes, etc
vi. Buried pipes should be trenches 450 mm x 450 mm and in glazed earthen ware
pipes
Pipeline Materials
i. Manufacturers of pipes, fittings, terminal units, etc should be ISO 9000 company
ii. Pipes should be phosphorus de-oxidised, non-arsenical copper to BS 6017.
Dimensions should be to BS 2871 Part 1 Table X or Table Y
Cleaning
i. All pipes and fittings should be cleaned and degreased for oxygen use
ii. Individually capped at both ends or boxed /bagged
iii. Delivered to site identified as medical gas pipes or medical gas filter
Pipe Jointing
i. Mechanical joints allowed where pipes are connected to valves and control
equipment
ii. Copper to Brass / Bronze or Gunmental should be made using copper-silver
brazing alloy to BS 1845 with appropriate flux.
iii. Copper to Copper Joints should be made using silver-copper-phosphorus brazing
alloy to BS 1845. No flux should be used.
iv. Shielding gas: Nitrogen
Pipe Supports
i. The pipelines should be adequately supported at sufficient intervals
ii. Support should be of material that will not easily corrode and no electrolytic
reaction with copper pipes
Identification of pipelines
i. Pipelines should be identified in accordance to BS 1710 by using color bands
H. TERMINAL UNITS
i. Should be mounted in positions which give shortest practical routes
ii. They may be surface mounted or flush-mounted
iii. All terminal units must conform to BS 5682 : 1984 (1992)
iv. Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging (AGS) terminal unit should be provided whenever
nitrous oxide is available in anaesthetic procedures (eg. O.T’s), NOT for
anaelgesic areas.
v. AGS terminal units must conform to BS 6834 : 1992
vi. For equipment service room:-
Medical air should be provided to at least one workstation. Terminal unit
should be to BS 5682 : 1994 (1992)
vii. For anaesthetic equipment testing are:-
a. Full range of medical gas terminal units should be provided
including AGS
b. But whenever possible, used medical air as testing gas
viii. Pressure loss across terminal units should be in accordance to BS 5682 : 1984
Arrangement:-
i. Horizontally:- left to right
O2 , N2O, N2 O/O2 , MA-4, SA-7, VAC, AGS, NO, O2 /CO2
ii. Vertically:-
O2 MA-4
N2 O OR SA-7
N2 O/O2 VAC
iii. Circular:-
Similar to horizontal, but clockwise when viewed from below
Height:-
- between 900 mm to 1,400 mm above finished floor
Terminal Units, Hose Assemblies And Their Connectors For Use With Medical Gas
Pipeline Systems
i. Single handed insertion, capture and release
ii. Non-interchangeable with other services
iii. Socket assembly can be dismantled – components which ensure gas specificity
shall be indexed and shall be non-interchangeable
iv. There shall be a non-swivel device for the probe in the socket assembly. (except
for pendant use)
v. The unit shall incorporate a self-sealing device that operates when probe is
removed
vi. Gas specific components shall be permanently marked
a. the BS No. and date eg. BS 5682 : 1984
b. service name
c. manufacturer’s name / identification mark
vii. It should be colour coded

6. TESTING AND COMMISSIONING
The objective of testing and commissioning is to ensure that all the necessary safety and
performance requirements of the MGPS will be met. Testing and commissioning
procedures will be required for the new installations, additions to existing installations and
modifications to existing installation.
6.1 Certification Of New Hospitals

All works to the medical gas systems should be complete and the building nearing
occupation prior to the commencement of the commissioning procedures. “As
Built” drawings should be available to the certification team, along with
certification documents.
A meeting should be held to decide the method of operations and to plan routes
around the building for the commissioning procedures. It may be assistance to
have available a full set of isometric drawings for each service to be
commissioned.
Certificates should be available to the Authorised Person to prove satisfactory test

have been carried out during the installation for pipeline pressure integrity i.e.:
i. First fix pressure test at 1.5 x the working pressure.

ii. Second fix pressure test on the whole system at the working pressure
All manifold, air compressors, vacuum plants, agss plants etc. should have been
pre-commissioned and working satisfactory
The appropriate quantities of test equipment (FRDPs) need to be available.
6.2. Certification Of New Works In Existing Hospital

Once a new hospital has been commissioned and proved to be safe to use, strict of
all engineering works is required to protect patients, staff and medical gases plant.
It is necessary to co-ordinate medical and nursing staff, hospital managers and
engineers to ensure that all persons likely to be affected by disruption of piped
medical gas services are aware of the time, date, extent and probable duration of
the interruption.
This process is defined as a “Permit To Work” system and should be used for all
work on medical gas systems other than changing gas cylinders.
Its aim is to ensure that no work however minor is undertaken on any part of the
installation without the knowledge and permission of the Responsible Officer
(R.O) and to minimise the potential hazards to patient due to:-
i. Cross connection of pipelines and hoses.

ii. Incorrectly labeled or incorrectly assembled outlet points.
iii. Incorrectly pressure settings on associated MGPS equipment.
iv. Sudden disruption to the supply.
HTM2022 stated that all works should be defined in how medium and high hazard
operations and shall take effect when:-
i. Alteration or modifications to the existing system are required.
ii. Maintenance or repairs under planned preventive maintenance needs to be
undertaken.
iii. Any form of action which restricts or disrupts the supply ie. works on
manifolds, compressors, control panels, vacuum plant etc.
A) Low Hazard
This is defined as works generally carried out on outlet points where there
is a single piped service in addition to medical vacuum and includes the
routine maintenance visits where the outlet points have integral isolating
valves and therefore isolating of sections of the system will not be
necessary. Outlets points other than to BS5682 should be deemed to be
Medium Hazard work.
B) Medium Hazard
This is generally defined as works carried out on any outlet point, pendant
etc. where there is more than one medical gas in addition to medical
vacuum and potential hazards include:-
i. Cross connection of hoses.
ii. Incorrect assembly of outlet points.
The hazards are minimised by the use of NIST connections and outlet
points to BS 5682 to prevent non-interchangeability.
This type of work normally causes disruption to the service and
inconvenience to the operating staff.
C) High Hazard
Deemed to be associated with any works on an “in-service pipeline to
effect repairs, modification or extensions where the procedure will
necessitate either the cutting or brazing of a service.
The potential hazards are:-

i. Risk of fire (may also need fire permit)
ii. Particulate contamination
iii. Cross connections
6.3 Summary Of Tests

The program of tests is divided into three phases:
i. tests and checks on the pipeline carcass;
ii. tests and commissioning of the complete pipeline system (with terminal
units installed) for safety, performance and particulate contamination
using test gas;
iii. filing of the systems with specific gases, quality test and proof of the
identity of those specific gases prior to use for patient care.
6.3.1. Tests and checks on the pipeline carcass

The following tests must be carried out after installation of the pipeline
carcass but before concealment:
a. visual check of pipeline labeling, marking, sleeving and support;
b. leakage test;
c. documented tests for cross-connection;
d. valve tests for closure, zoning and leakage.
6.3.2. Tests on the pipeline system

The following tests must be carried out after complete installation of the
pipeline system:
a. tests of le akage on each medical gas pipeline system;
b. tests of area valve service units (AVSUs) for closure, zoning and
correct control of the terminal units involved;
c. tests for cross-connection, flow, pressure drop, mechanical
function and gas specificity of the terminal units and for cross-
connection, mechanical function and gas specificity of NIST
connectors;
d. performance tests of the pipeline system;
e. functional tests of all supply systems ;
f. inspection of safety valve certification;
g. tests of warning systems;
h. tests for particulate contamination. These tests maybe carried out
with either medical air or after purging and filing with the
specified gas. If the system is not to be taken into immediate use,
the tests for particulate contamination should be carried out with
medical air and the system then left under pressure.
6.3.3. Tests before use

The following test must be carried out after purging and filing with the
working gas:
a. test for particulate contamination;
b. test for gas identities;
c. tests for gas quality;
d. checks of the labeling of AVSUs (to include gas label, flow
direction arrow and area served)
PIPED MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM
TESTING / COMMISSIONING LIST
_______________________________________________________________________________
1. Pipeline Leakage Test.

2. Valve Tightness Test and Correct Valve Zoning.
3. Full System Leakage Test.
4. Non-Interchangeability Test and Function Of Terminal Units.
5. Cross Connection or Anti-Confusion Test.
6. Flow Rate and Pressure At Each Terminal Unit.
7. System Total Flow Rate and Pressure Test.
8. Operation Of All Plants (Source Equipment)
9. Manifold Changeover and Standby Manifold
10. Medical Vacuum Plant.
11. Operation Of Medical Compressed Air Plant.
12. Operation Of Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging System.
13. Relief Valve Operation.
14. Correct Function Of Alarm System.
15. Particular Matter Test
16. Gas Identity and Quality Test.
6.4. Testing and Commissioning Procedures (summary)
6.4.1. Pipeline Leakage Tests.

These tests should be carried out during the installation period and
witnessed to prove sectional gas tightness.
6.4.2. Valve Tightness Test and Correct Zoning

Open all valves on all systems, introduce a 6.9 bar (100 psi) medical
quality compressed air at source (manifolds, plants, etc.). Then from
extremities of the system working inwards to the source, close all valves
in sequence and release pressure on the downstream side of valve, no
pressure build up should be noted for 15 minutes.
Check all outlets controlled by the valve, which should be un-pressurised,

check surrounding outlets controlled by other valves in the vicinity to
check they still pressurised.
6.4.3. Full System Leakage Test.

Pressure Gas Systems
With all outlet points and theatre fittings connected the whole system
should be tested with medical quality compressed air at the working
pressure for 24 hours, no leak should occur during this period. However a
pressure loss of up to 0.15 bar (2 psi) may be acceptable on a system with
more that 50 outlet points.
Vacuum Systems
With all outlet points and theatre fittings connected the whole system
should be tested with medical quality compressed air at a pressure of 0.7
bar (10 psi) for 24 hours, no leak should occur during this period.
However a pressure loss of up to 0.15 bar (2 psi) may be acceptable on a
system with more than 50 outlet points.
6.4.4. Non-Interchangeability and Function Test Of Outlet Points.

This test to be carried with gas specific probes on all outlet points to prove
that only the relevant probe will engage with the relevant outlet points. i.e.
oxygen probe only fits into oxygen outlet point and not into any other
service, nitrous oxide probes only fits into nitrous oxide outlet point etc.
During this check, the operation all outlet points should be checked for
ease of use, they should engage, lock and release.
It is also advisable on this check to ensure that all the outlet points, theatre
fittings etc. are installed as per the “As Built Drawings”.
Results of the tests are to be recorded on the test documents.
6.4.5. Cross Connection or Anti-Confusion Test

With all manifolds and plant connected and all valves open, pressurise one
service only with medical quality air to the working pressure (say oxygen)
and check all other services are empty.
The Competent Person along with the Authorised Person should visit each
room to ensure that the test air delivered from every outlet point is from
the named outlet (i.e. oxygen), and is not delivered from any other outlet
point.
Repeat the above procedure on each service and record results on the test
documents.
6.4.6. Flow Rate and Pressure At Each Terminal Unit.

Each outlet point is to be checked to ensure the correct flow and pressure
drop is recorded for the type of service used. By means of flow meters
which corresponds to the location requirement (ICU, WARD etc.), the jets
in the flow meter shall be the air equivalent to the “Medical Gas” for
which its calibrated.
Listed below are the minimum acceptable flow rates and pressure (A)
denotes reading with no flow and (B) denotes reading with flow.
TABLE 1 A B
Service Flow Rate L/M Minimum Pressure Minimum Pressure
At Stp at back of outlet on test gauge
________________________________________________________________________
Oxygen 20 / 40 3.6 bar (52 psi) 3.5 bar (51.5 psi)
Nitrous Oxide 15 3.6 bar (52 psi) 3.5 bar (51.5 psi)
Med C/A 7 bar 250 6.8 bar (99 psi) 6.5 bar (94.0 psi)
Med C/A 4 bar 65 / 50 6.3 bar (92 psi) 6.2 bar (91.0 psi)
Med C/A 4 bar 65 / 50 3.6 bar (52 psi) 3.5 bar (51.0 psi)
Med Vacuum 40 / 20 400 mm. Hg 300 mm. Hg
Record results on test documents.
6.4.7. System Total Flow Rate And Pressure Test.

The purpose of this test is to simulate the working conditions of the
systems under the total design flow, test units (FRDPs) are inserted into
previously defined outlet points on the system being tested, based on the
HTM2022 design calculations.
On the oxygen, nitrous oxide and entonox systems medical quality

compressed air is used at the working pressure at source to simulate the
gases, for compressed air and vacuum systems the plants are used in there
operating condition.
With all the test units operating the authorised person is responsible for
ensuring readings are taken on the extremities of the system and critical
areas such as theatres, ICU, CCU etc. to prove the minimum pressure drop
is met as detailed in TABLE 1 above.
6.4.8. Operation Of All Plants.

On liquid oxygen installation check that the vaporiser pressure controls,
safety valves and all safety devices function correctly. Check the standby
manifold changeover and that it operates correctly on a simulated failure
of the liquid supply.
For all automatic manifold changeover, the changeover sequence of
working gas from duty to standby should be tested and recorded. Check
the operation of relief valves and pressure gauges.
On vacuum and compressed air plants check for rotation and current at
full load, check for abnormal noise and vibration, check for correct
changeover of pump units and drier columns, check operation of all
automatic, pressure relieving and warning devices. Check the
effectiveness of the changeover to the reserve manifold. Check insulation
resistance and effectiveness of earthing.
Check the operation of all AGSS plants and outlet flow rates.
6.4.9. Relief Valve Operations.

Relief valves (unless previously tested and certificated) should be tested to
ensure they discharge at 125% of the working pressure.
6.4.10. Correct Function Of Alarm System.

All wiring and components must be installed prior to the commencement
of the commissioning procedures. Check all panel test functions to ensure
all LED’s and audible alarms work correctly.
Taking each service in turn, check that with all plant and manifolds
connected and working that all normal indications are illuminated. Then
simulate the first alarm on the first service and check all alarm panels to
ensure the normal light has gone out and that the fault LED is on in the
column and for the fault simulated.
Repeat test for all conditions on the alarm panel. Check that audible
alarms activate for the conditions, which have been programmed to
activate.

6.4.11. Particulate Matter Test.
Prior to services being filled with the working gas, medical quality
compressed air should be purges throughout the system and samples taken
at each outlet point to ensure no particulate matter remains within the
system.
These checks are to be carried out using a milipore filter.
Record all results.
6.4.12. Gas Identity and Quality Test.

On the satisfactory completion of the particulate matter tests the complete
system should be filled and purged with working gases. At this stage the
Suitably Qualified Person (normally the hospital pharmacist) can
commence the tests to ensure that each outlet point delivers the correct gas
at the correct quality at each outlet point.
The S.Q.P should check the medical air plants to prove acceptable CO2 ,
moisture and oil mist levels. The S.Q.P should also check the system to
ensure items such as the air intake lines to the air compressors are in a
position to ensure no contamination is drawn into the system.

PMGS Couse Note Rev

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PMGS Couse Note Rev

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PIPED MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM (PMGS)

2. CONCEPT AND STANDARDS HTM2022/C11

3. PIPED MEDICAL GAS COMPONENTS, FEATURES AND BENEFITS

6. TESTING AND COMMISSIONING (VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION)

Upon completion of this course, the candidates should be able to: -

v Using the HTM2022 and C11 as a guideline and standards in MGPS

v Describes the components of MGPS

v State the need for regulation of pipeline installation and certification

v Design of MGPS and its associated equipment selections

MGPS consists of: -

Health Technical Memorandum, known simply as HTM is a series of documents that

HTM2022 latest edition comprises of two volumes.

2.B. INTRODUCTION TO C11

Part B comprises of the general common clauses.

In summary C11 is intended to be a purchasing specification to be attached to tenders and

C11 : THE COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

= THE COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

THE SPECIFICATION CANNOT BE

HTM2022 is a Comprehensive Design Guide

C11 is a “Model Specification” issued by the DHSS.

C11 is complementary and additional to the requirements HTM22/HTM2022

An HTM2022/C11 system is more than a collection of compliant parts. The operation of

2.D. WHY ARE STANDARDS NEEDED?

2. Consistency throughout the hospitals for connection of equipment and staff

b. 5 deaths in Edinburgh, UK, in 1964 due to cross connection.

c. 1 death in Glasgow, UK, in 1969 due to back feed error.

d. 2 deaths in Kent and Canterbury, UK, in 1973 due to cross connection.

e. 23 deaths in Sudbury, Canada, in 1973 due to cross connection.

f. Brain damage in Westminster in 1975 due to cross connection.

g. 19 deaths in Parma, Italy due to oxygen explosion.

h. 4 babies “Affected” in Glasgow, UK due to air loss.

1. Identity : Gas specific connections etc.

2. Adequacy : Accurate assessment of demands, plant selection etc.

3. Continuity : Through having emergency / reserve supply etc.

4. Quality : By the use of gases purchased to the appropriate

Safety are the most important, because;-

1. Medical gases are consumed by patients.

4. Oxygen + Heat / Spark + Grease / Oil = “BOOM”

5. Air is the only drug manufactured on site by the hospital.

6. 100% oxygen could cause blindness.

7. Nitrous Oxide could cause brain damage.

8. Loss of vacuum could cause suffocation, etc.

A MGPS is usually made up of the following items:-

1. Outlets - Wall, Bedhead or Ceiling Mounted Services

1. Outlets - Comply with BS EN 737-1:1998 and accept probes to

Location and scale recommended in HTM2022/C11 is for guidance only.

2. Valves - Zone Valves or Zone Service Unit and Line Valves.

Zone Service Units (ZSU’s) - for emergency isolation

Line valves by plant items, at the entry/exit of buildings and on main

B. FEATURES AND BENEFITS

MANIFOLD CONTROL SYSTEM

§ Fully automatic changeover § Requires no manual adjustment to ensure a

ZONE SERVICE UNITS (ZSU’s)

§ 3-year warranty § Ensures trouble free operation and low cost

§ Active System § Provides positive and effective removal of gas

OPERATING THEATRE PENDANTS

ii. Establish the Specification Level

iii. Position the Terminal Units

iv. Position the Zone Valves (ZSU’s)

vi. Identify the Mains and Riser Locations

Consideration should be given to the method of installation proposed or likely to

viii. Draw a Scaled Isometric Drawing

ix. Produce Individual Gas Drawings

x. Determine the Gas Flow Rates