TECHNICAL AMENDMENT

August 9, 2007

      815 KAR 20:195. Medical gas piping installations.

      RELATES TO: KRS 198B.050, 318.010

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 198B.050(2), (5), 318.130

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 318.010(4)(e) includes in the definition of "plumbing" medical gas piping. KRS 318.134 requires that a person shall obtain a permit from the office[department] prior to the installation of plumbing and that the office[department] shall cause inspections as it may deem necessary. EO 2003-064 filed December 23, 2003 created the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. EO 2004-031 filed January 6, 2004 changed the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to the Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction. This administrative regulation defines the term "medical gas piping" in accordance with industry practice; identifies the standard which a licensed plumber shall use when installing this piping; and identifies the permitting, fee and inspection requirements for this special type of installation.

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Health care facility" means a hospital, nursing home, limited care facility, clinic, ambulatory care center, or office practice medical or dental office as defined in NFPA 99C.

      (2) "Medical gas piping" means a permanent fixed piping system in a health care facility which is used to convey oxygen, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, medical air and mixtures of these gases from its source to the point of use and includes the fixed piping associated with a medical, surgical or gas scavenging vacuum system, as well as a bedside suction system.

      (3) "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association.

      Section 2. Standards and Procedures. (1) Installation standards. A new medical gas piping installation or an addition to an existing medical gas piping system shall comply with the applicable provisions of "NFPA 99C, Standard on Gas and Vacuum Systems, 2002 Edition".

      (2) Permit required. The licensed master plumber shall make application for a permit to install medical gas piping prior to the installation. To obtain the permit, the master plumber shall:

      (a) Pay a fee of twenty-eight (28) dollars for the medical gas system for each building; and

      (b) Identify the person who shall perform the installation. The person making the installation shall be a certified medical gas brazer as well as a licensed journeyman plumber.

      (3) Supervision of the master. It shall be the responsibility of the licensed master plumber to assure that:

      (a) The person doing the brazing;

      1. Is properly certified as required by NFPA 99C; and

      2. Uses the proper products and stores them correctly; and

      (b) Required testing and purging of the piping system is done prior to putting the system into service.

      (4) Final approval. Upon completion of the installation, the master plumber shall furnish the Division of Plumbing with the following certifications:

      (a) Certification from the medical gas supplier or other qualified third party that the installation, including each outlet, meets the testing and purging requirements of the code; and

      (b) Certification that the installation was performed by the certified brazer.

      Section 3. Incorporation by Reference. (1) "NFPA 99C Standard on Gas and Vacuum Systems", 2002 Edition, National Fire Protection Association, is incorporated by reference.

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction, 101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-5405, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

      (3) A copy may also be obtained by contacting the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269-9101. (23 Ky.R. 2372; Am. 2746; eff. 1-9-97; 30 Ky.R. 2404; 31 Ky.R. 97 eff. 8-6-04.)