RMGA Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An RMGA is inspecting a manifold system and finds that the primary bank pressure gauge reads 10% higher than the secondary bank gauge with both banks connected. What action should be taken?
- Replace both gauges immediately
- Calibrate or replace the suspect gauge and document the finding (Correct answer)
- Adjust the line pressure regulator to compensate
- This is a normal condition and no action is needed
Correct answer: Calibrate or replace the suspect gauge and document the finding
Gauge discrepancies indicate a calibration error in one or both gauges; the inaccurate gauge must be calibrated or replaced and the finding documented.
Question 2: What is the correct procedure when a medical gas pipeline alarm activates for low line pressure?
- Silence the alarm and monitor for 30 minutes before investigating
- Immediately identify the cause, notify clinical staff, and initiate contingency procedures (Correct answer)
- Increase system pressure at the source equipment and reset the alarm
- Document the event and investigate during the next scheduled maintenance window
Correct answer: Immediately identify the cause, notify clinical staff, and initiate contingency procedures
A low-pressure alarm is a patient safety event requiring immediate investigation, notification of clinical staff, and implementation of contingency plans.
Question 3: During a routine inspection, an RMGA discovers that a medical air compressor intake filter has a pressure differential indicating it is 90% restricted. What is the correct response?
- Continue operation and replace the filter at the next scheduled maintenance
- Replace the filter immediately to prevent compressor damage and air quality degradation (Correct answer)
- Clean the filter with compressed air and reinstall it
- Increase compressor speed to compensate for the restricted intake
Correct answer: Replace the filter immediately to prevent compressor damage and air quality degradation
A severely restricted intake filter must be replaced immediately because it can cause the compressor to overheat and degrade the quality of medical air produced.
Question 4: Which standard specifies the dew point requirement for medical air used in patient care?
- NFPA 70
- CGA G-7.1
- NFPA 99 (Correct answer)
- ISO 7396-1
Correct answer: NFPA 99
NFPA 99 specifies that medical air must have a dew point at or below -40°F (-40°C) at line pressure to prevent moisture accumulation in piping and devices.
Question 5: When testing a medical gas alarm system, which of the following sequences is correct?
- Trigger the condition, verify the panel alarm activates, then verify area alarms activate (Correct answer)
- Check area alarms first, then verify the master alarm panel responds
- Test master alarm panel only, as area alarms are non-critical
- Activate all alarms simultaneously using the panel test button
Correct answer: Trigger the condition, verify the panel alarm activates, then verify area alarms activate
Proper alarm testing requires simulating the actual condition, verifying the master alarm panel activates, and then confirming area alarms function correctly in sequence.
Question 6: A liquid nitrogen vessel's pressure-building circuit fails to activate. What is the most likely operational consequence?
- The vessel will over-pressurize and the relief valve will open
- Gas delivery pressure will drop because the vaporizer cannot maintain adequate head pressure (Correct answer)
- Liquid nitrogen will leak from the fill connection
- The master alarm panel will show a high-pressure warning
Correct answer: Gas delivery pressure will drop because the vaporizer cannot maintain adequate head pressure
If the pressure-building circuit fails, insufficient head pressure develops in the vessel, causing downstream delivery pressure to fall below the required supply pressure.
Question 7: Per NFPA 99, what minimum documentation must be retained after completing a medical gas system inspection?
- A verbal report to the facility safety officer only
- A written report signed by the inspector listing all tests performed, results, and any deficiencies found (Correct answer)
- A checklist with pass/fail boxes checked by the inspector
- Electronic records are not required; verbal confirmation is sufficient
Correct answer: A written report signed by the inspector listing all tests performed, results, and any deficiencies found
NFPA 99 requires a written, signed inspection report documenting all tests performed, results obtained, and any deficiencies identified.
RMGA Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Procedures 3
An RMGA is inspecting a manifold system and finds that the primary bank pressure gauge reads 10% higher than the secondary bank gauge with both banks connected.
What action should be taken?