Electricitiy + Control February 2015

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Why is this? The long range cost and safety risk aspects of
testing will be increased drastically if alarm transducers are
installed above the ceiling.
Many project drawings have notations made by the design
engineer for the area for alarm transducers to be installed remotely
(not in the alarm back box) on the medical gas pipelines. It is then
left up to the installing contractor to determine the exact location
on the pipeline. Unfortunately,
in most cases the result is the
transducers are installed above
the ceiling. Initially this may be
a seemingly cost effective way
to install the transducers, as
opposed to installing them in
the alarm back box or in the
zone valve box – but the long
term testing costs and safety
aspects involved with the test-
ingwill provemuchmore costly
to the facility.
Left: E Z Backfeed.
NFPA 99 requires periodic testing of the area alarm panels which for
most facilities is once a year. Proper testing requires that the transduc-
ers be physically disconnected from the pipeline to allow the pressure
to fall below the low pressure alarm set point and then connected to
a pump which raises the pressure above the high pressure set point.
By J Lucas, Tri-Tech Medical, Inc
This means that the certification and testing company will need to:
o Find the correct ceiling tiles to remove for each alarm
o Put a man on a ladder carrying test equipment, tools etc
o In many facilities – erect a HPA or ICRA containment area tent
and wear protective gowning and a breathing mask
If your facility has 20 area alarms, multiply the above additional costs
by 20 and then by the number of years the system is installed. These
are all additional long-term perpetual costs and safety risks that could
have been avoided by simply installing the transducers in the alarm
back box or in the zone valve box.
Conclusion
Recognising this need, the company that the author represents, in-
vented the E Z Find retro-fit kit and new installation products to help
facilities lower their costs and improve safety. In addition, it should
be noted that the initial installation cost is minimised because the E
Z products eliminate the need to braze fittings (risers and tees) onto
the pipeline above the ceiling or in the alarm back box.
Reference
[1] NFPA 99. 2015. Healthcare facilities code.
As a design engineer, hospital facilities engineer or hospital administrator, you should be concerned about the installation location of the
transducers for area alarm panels.
SENSORS, SWITCHES + TRANSDUCERS
Abbreviations/Acronyms
HPA – Health Products Association
ICRA – Infection-control Risk Assessment
MGPHO– Medical Gas Professional Healthcare Organisation
NFPA – National Fire Protection Association
‘Improving medical gas systems through innovation’.
Remote locating
of transducers
take note
Jim Lucas is vice-president for sales and marketing at Tri-TechMedical, Inc.
He is a member of the NFPA 99 technical committee on piping systems and
a member of MGPHO (Medical Gas Professional Healthcare Organisation).
Enquiries: Email
o NFPA 99 requires annual testing of the area alarm panels.
o There is cause for concern regarding the installation and
location of transducers for area alarm panels.
o A retrofit kit and new products are available for safe and
cost-effective installation of transducers.
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