scope:

This standard applies to the installation and testing of nonflammable medical gas piping systems in any facility. Nonflammable medical gases include, but are not limited to, oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical compressed air, carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen and mixtures of such gases when used for medical purposes. Chapters 1 through 5 cover systems for all hospitals and for all other facilities not meeting the criteria in 6-1.1. Chapter 6 covers systems meeting the criteria in 6-1.1.

Although oxygen and nitrous oxide are nonflammable gases, they accelerate combustion.

Wherever the term "medical gas" occurs in this standard, the provisions shall apply to all systems, Wherever the name of a specific gas occurs, the provision applies only to that gas.

This standard does not apply to the administration of inhalation anesthetics, respiratory therapy or piping systems in laboratories in health-related institutions. These areas are covered by NFPA 56A, Inhalation Anesthetics; NFPA 56B, Respiratory Therapy; and NFPA 56C, Laboratories in Health-Related Institutions.

This standard does not apply to portable systems.