Great News!
July 2024: The California Fire Code now has an exclusion from their MAQ requirements for storage of oxidizer medical gases to be consistent with NFPA 99 definition.
Simply, if the oxygen, medical air or Nitrous Oxide cylinder is in an attached cylinder holder to a bed, a gurney, a wheelchair, a portable transport isolette or an E cylinder cart used for oxygen dependent patients walking on the Nursing Unit then these cylinders are NOT to be counted as part of the 300 SCF limit for remote medical gas storage in a Nursing Unit.
This is consistent with NFPA 99.
Here is the excerpt from the UCDMC Fire Marshal's Office:
The 2012 edition of NFPA 99 specifies in section 11.3.3.3 that when small-size (A, B, D, or E) cylinders are in use, they shall be attached to a cylinder stand or to medical equipment designed to receive and hold compressed gas cylinders.
Section 11.3.3.4 further states that individual small-size (A, B, D, or E) cylinders available for immediate use in patient care areas shall not be considered to be in storage.
CFC became consistent with NFPA 99 with the July 2024 Supplement by including the following exception in section 5003.1.1 as follows:
Exception: Medical gases utilized for patient care within patient areas of a Group I-2 occupancy (AKA Hospital, Category 1 Medical Gas System) when the applicable requirements of NFPA 99 chapter 5 and Chapter 11 have been met. Medical gases meeting this exception are not included when determining maximum allowable quantities in storage.
Finally, in my opinion, calmer heads focused correctly on a safe Environment of Care prevaled.
Historically, NFPA 99 has always superseded the Fire Code on this issue and it does again.
Carsten H. Lunde
President | RRT, CMGV, ASSE 6010, 6020, 6030 & 6050
carsten@cyame.com
mobile: 510 520.6605 | 24/7: 1.800.292.6334 | fax: 510.659.9019
