I didn't see any reference since 2012 is now a risk management document and the code section you reference is the old standard referencing a specific occupancy. The facility authority now designates what is Category 1 or Category 2 patient care within the various areas of their building. Looks like your standard reference has faded with the setting sun my friend. Keep your powder dry.

Are you stating (inferring) the zone valves located in an Acute Care Hospital where no life support will take place are now Category 2 spaces? What difference do that make except for Master Alarm Panels, Medical Air Compressor Systems and Vacuum source systems?

Please pardon my simplistic response but, I think the zone valve requirements are the same for a Category 2 space as a Category 1 space except the above component. 

The catch - Category 1 spaces shall not be located in a Category 2 building HENCE we no longer refer to Buildings or rooms but now only spaces!?

I am getting dizzy with this one.

A hospital can be made up of many different areas that can fall into any one of the 4 categories defined.  The areas that we used to call Critical Care required an area alarm panel for those zones, such as ER, PACU, or ICU.

The areas we used to call General Care did not require an area alarm panel.  This might have included Radiology, Pre-Op, or Patient Holding. 

The same holds true for what was called Basic Care and Support rooms in the 2012 edition, 3.3.138.

This is not nearly as confusing in the 2018 edition, since Category 2 and Category 3 requirements for medical gas piping are very nearly identical.

In conclusion, not all zones in a hospital will require an area alarm panel if any of them are not considered Category 1.  A hospital is still within their rights to install one on a general patient care wing if they choose to spend the money to do so.