National Fire Protection Association 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471 Phone: 617-770-3000 Fax: 617-770-0700 www.nfpa.org MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Correlating Committee on Health Care Facilities Elena Carroll, Project Administrator DATE: March 30, 2017 SUBJECT: NFPA 99 Proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) No. 1252 The Technical Committee on Piping Systems has been balloted on proposed TIA 1252, submitted by Jonathan Willard of Acute Medical Gas Services and endorsed by James Lucas of Tri-Tech Medical Inc. A copy of the proposed TIA and the preliminary results of the TC balloting are attached. This proposed TIA is being submitted to you for letter ballot to Revise Sections 5.1.15 and 5.2.1.3 of the 2015 and the Proposed 2018 Editions of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code. In accordance with Section 5 of the Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standards, you are being balloted on any correlating issues of the proposed TIA and whether this matter is of an emergency nature. A disagree vote is limited to subjects within the purview of the Correlating Committee. Opposition on a strictly technical basis is not sufficient grounds for substantiating a disagree vote. Please complete and return the attached letter ballot to Elena Carroll either via email to ecarroll@nfpa.org or via fax to 617-984-7110. Ballots are due on April 13, 2017. This proposed TIA 1252 will be published for public comment in the April 6, 2017 issue of NFPA News with a Public Comment Closing Date of May 18, 2017. Any public comments received will be circulated to the committee. Finally, the Standards Council will review and consider the issuance of this TIA. Note: Please remember that the return of ballots and attendance at committee meetings are required in accordance with the Regulations Governing the Development of NFPA Standards.
NFPA 99-2015 and P2018 Editions Health Care Facilities Code TIA Log No.: 1252 Reference: 5.1.1.5 and 5.2.1.3 Comment Closing Date: May 18, 2017 Submitter: Jonathan Willard, Acute Medical Gas Services 2015 Edition Text: 1. Revise 5.1.1.5 to read as follows: 5.1.1.5 The following subsections of this chapter shall apply to the operation, management, and maintenance of Category 1 medical gas and vacuum systems in both new and existing facilities: (1) 5.1.2 (2) 5.1.3.1 (3) 5.1.3.2 (4) 5.1.3.3.4 (5) 5.1.3.6.2 (6) 5.1.3.8.1.2 (6)(7) 5.1.3.8.4.2 (7)(8) 5.1.14 2. Revise 5.2.1.3 to read as follows: 5.2.1.3 The following subsections of this chapter shall apply to the operation, management, and maintenance of Category 2 medical gas and vacuum systems in both new and existing health care facilities: (1) 5.1.3.6.2 (2) 5.1.3.8.1.2 (2)(3) 5.1.3.8.4.2 (3)(4) 5.1.10.11.7.1 (4)(5) 5.2.3.1 (5)(6) 5.2.3.2 (6)(7) 5.2.3.3 (7)(8) 5.2.3.5(2) (8)(9) 5.2.3.6(2) (19)(10) 5.2.3.7(2) (10)(11) 5.2.13 (11)(12) 5.2.14 2018 Edition Text: 1. Revise 5.1.1.5 to read as follows: 5.1.1.5 The following subsections of this chapter shall apply to the operation, management, and maintenance of Category 1 medical gas and vacuum systems in both new and existing facilities:
(1) 5.1.2 (2) 5.1.3.1 (3) 5.1.3.2 (4) 5.1.3.3.4 (5) 5.1.3.6.2 (6) 5.1.3.6.3.10(A)(2) (7) 5.1.3.7.6(A)(2) (8) 5.1.3.8.1.2 (8)(9) 5.1.3.8.4.3(A)(2) (9)(10) 5.1.1.4 2. Revise 5.2.1.3 to read as follows: 5.2.1.3 The following subsections of this chapter shall apply to the operation, management, and maintenance of Category 2 medical gas and vacuum systems in both new and existing health care facilities: (1) 5.1.3.6.2 (2) 5.1.3.8.1.2 (2)(3) 5.1.3.8.4.2 (3)(4) 5.1.10.11.7.1 (4)(5) 5.2.3.1 (5)(6) 5.2.3.2 (6)(7) 5.2.3.3 (7)(8) 5.2.3.5(2) (8)(9) 5.2.3.7(2) (9)(10) 5.2.3.8(2) (10)(11) 5.2.13 (11)(12) 5.2.14 Substantiation: My understanding of the intent for original TIA to this section was to include the section added above, which requires a limit on the concentration of oxidizing gases to reach an oil lubricated vacuum pump (with oils or lubricants that are not inert in the presence of oxygen). This is due to the fact that there is a distinct hazard of fire or explosion when this condition is present. This reference should be corrected to ensure WAGD systems at existing facilities are operated in a manner that will prevent fires and explosions. Emergency Nature: The standard contains an error or an omission that was overlooked during the regular revision process. The proposed TIA intends to offer to the public a benefit that would lessen a recognized (known) hazard or ameliorate a continuing dangerous condition or situation. Since this is to apply to existing facilities and we know that there have been instances of fires occurring when this condition occurs, this should be corrected to maintain a safe environment within the health care facility.
National Fire Protection Association 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471 Phone: 617-770-3000 Fax: 617-770-0700 www.nfpa.org MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Technical Committee on Piping Systems Elena Carroll, Project Administrator DATE: March 30, 2017 SUBJECT: NFPA 99 Proposed TIA No. 1252 PRELIMINARY TC BALLOT RESULTS According to 5.6(a) in the NFPA Regs, the preliminary results show this TIA HAS NOT achieved the ¾ majority vote needed on BOTH Ballot Item No. 1 (Technical Merit) and Ballot Item No. 2 (Emergency Nature). 31 Eligible to Vote 6 Not Returned (Allen, Beebe, Schwipps, Smidt, Volz, Walsh) Technical Merit: Emergency Nature: 0 Abstentions 0 Abstentions 22 Agree (w/comment, Lucas) 18 Agree 3 Disagree (Gagneˊ, Litvin, McBride) 7 Disagree (Anderson, Gagneˊ, Hamilton, Litvin, Lowe, McBride, Mohile) There are two criteria necessary to pass ballot [(1) simple majority (2) affirmative ¾ vote]. Both questions must pass ballot in order to recommend that the Standards Council issue this TIA. (1) In all cases, an affirmative vote of at least a simple majority of the total membership eligible to vote is required. [31 eligible 2 = 15.5 = (16)] (2) The number of affirmative votes needed to satisfy the ¾ requirement is 19. (31 eligible to vote - 6 not returned - 0 abstentions = 25 0.75 = 18.75) Ballot comments are attached for your review. This proposed TIA will be published for public comment in the April 6, 2017 issue of NFPA News with a Public Comment Closing Date of May 18, 2017. Any public comments received will be circulated to the committee. The Standards Council will consider the issuance of this TIA. Attachment
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON PIPING SYSTEMS LETTER BALLOT PROPOSED TENTATIVE INTERIM AMENDMENT LOG NO. 1252 To Revise Sections 5.1.15 and 5.2.1.3 of the 2015 and the Proposed 2018 Editions of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code Ballot Item No. 1: I agree with the TECHNICAL MERITS of the Proposed TIA to revise Sections 5.1.1.5 and 5.2.1.3. AGREE X DISAGREE* ABSTAIN* EXPLANATION OF VOTE - Please type or print your comments: *An explanation shall accompany a disagree or abstain vote. I fully agree with the requirement for all new installations to meet NFPA 99 2012, 2015 & 2018 Editions Paragraph 5.1.3.8.1.2. However, without factual data of the actual number of recent occurrences of fire/accidents that were caused or accelerated by dual use vacuum systems and or higher than 23.6% concentration of oxidizers it would be costly and unnecessary to require an existing system to be upgraded. Ballot Item No. 2: I agree that the subject is of an EMERGENCY NATURE. AGREE X DISAGREE* ABSTAIN* EXPLANATION OF VOTE - Please type or print your comments: *An explanation shall accompany a disagree or abstain vote. Without the factual data stated above I do not believe that this is of an Emergency Nature. Signature Neil Gagne Name (Please Print) 3/7/2017 Date Please return the ballot on or before March 20, 2017. PLEASE RETURN TO: Elena Carroll, Project Administrator NFPA 1 Batterymarch Park Quincy, MA 02169 FAX: (617) 984-7110 E-mail: ecarroll@nfpa.org