RMGA Safety Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the required frequency for testing medical gas master alarm panels in Level 1 healthcare facilities?
- Monthly (Correct answer)
- Quarterly
- Annually
- Semi-annually
Correct answer: Monthly
Master alarm panels in Level 1 healthcare facilities must be tested monthly to ensure proper function of all alarm indicators.
Question 2: Which CGA standard specifically addresses safe handling of compressed gas cylinders?
- CGA P-1 (Correct answer)
- CGA G-4
- CGA V-1
- CGA S-1
Correct answer: CGA P-1
CGA P-1 (Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers) provides guidelines for the safe storage, transport, and use of compressed gas cylinders.
Question 3: In a medical gas system, what is the purpose of a pressure relief valve on a high-pressure cylinder manifold?
- To maintain constant delivery pressure
- To prevent overpressurization from thermal expansion or regulator failure (Correct answer)
- To alert staff when pressure is low
- To prevent backflow of gas into the cylinder
Correct answer: To prevent overpressurization from thermal expansion or regulator failure
Pressure relief valves on cylinder manifolds protect the system from dangerous overpressurization caused by thermal expansion or downstream regulator failure.
Question 4: Under NFPA 99, zone valves for medical gas systems must be located in what type of enclosure?
- Locked cabinet accessible only to engineering
- Labeled box with a frangible window or door (Correct answer)
- Fire-rated enclosure only
- Open wall mounting with no enclosure required
Correct answer: Labeled box with a frangible window or door
Zone valves must be housed in a labeled valve box with a frangible (breakable) window or door to allow emergency access while preventing accidental operation.
Question 5: Which atmospheric oxygen concentration level is considered an oxygen-enriched environment that presents an increased fire risk?
- Greater than 21%
- Greater than 23.5% (Correct answer)
- Greater than 25%
- Greater than 22%
Correct answer: Greater than 23.5%
An oxygen concentration greater than 23.5% is classified as an oxygen-enriched atmosphere per NFPA 53, significantly increasing fire risk.
Question 6: What action must be taken before cutting or welding near a medical gas piping system?
- Notify the nursing staff only
- Obtain a hot work permit and purge the system with nitrogen (Correct answer)
- Shut off the gas at the source valve only
- Post a fire watch without additional precautions
Correct answer: Obtain a hot work permit and purge the system with nitrogen
A hot work permit must be obtained and the affected piping must be purged with nitrogen before any cutting or welding to prevent ignition of residual oxygen.
Question 7: According to ASSE 6010, what qualification is required for a person to perform medical gas system verification testing?
- Any licensed plumber
- ASSE 6010 Medical Gas Systems Inspector certification (Correct answer)
- A registered professional engineer only
- Any NFPA 99 trained technician
Correct answer: ASSE 6010 Medical Gas Systems Inspector certification
ASSE 6010 requires that medical gas system verification testing be performed by an individual certified as a Medical Gas Systems Inspector under ASSE 6010.
RMGA Safety Standards 3
What is the required frequency for testing medical gas master alarm panels in Level 1 healthcare facilities?