Medical Gas System Inspection

What is the definition of a med gas flexible hose and flexible connection related to routine system inspections?   

Inspections of gas hoses and connectors, are typically referring to the flexible hoses that connect at headwall units or in wall outlets in patient rooms, exam rooms, treatment rooms, ORs, etc. There is no inspection requirement that I am aware of for looking at any connections or hoses behind the headwall units unless there is a problem or leak, etc.

In the 2005 NFPA 99 Handbook Section 5.1.10.10.7 Hose and Flexible Connectors which corresponds to NFPA 99(1999) 4-3.1.2.9(h) "Hoses and flexible connectors, both metallic and nonmetallic, shall be no longer than necessary and shall not penetrate or be concealed in walls, floors, ceilings, or partitions."

The 2005 Handbook narrative states, “Paragraph 5.1.10.10.7.1 applies only to those implementations that use a hose to extend a pipeline in a semi-permanent way. This paragraph does not apply to the use of a hose as a means to connect patient care equipment downstream of an outlet (e.g.,after the pipeline has terminated). The key distinction is that the patient care hoses themselves, and their connectors, are in plain view. In most respects, the pipeline is considered to terminate in a station outlet or inlet that is brazed to the piping, as discussed in 5.1.5. However, where manufactured assemblies are installed, the function of these assemblies might require the flexibility of permanent hoses, which are more or less concealed. Such hosing, because it is intended to be permanent and because access is limited, must be considered an integral part of the piped gas distribution system. See 5.1.6 for information on manufactured assemblies.  Because hoses are subject to movement and wear, some means of visually inspecting and/or changing the hoses on a periodic basis is appropriate. Thus, hoses cannot be concealed inside walls…”

The TJC EP at least requires a hospital to identify these medical gas flexible connectors , among other components and make a decision about what is the proper way to handle the inspection, testing and maintenance of these components.  The hospital must be able to defend their approach when this EP is queried, they cannot just ignore it.