36E77619R0065-002.docx

VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Ave.

West Haven, CT

Medical Gas System Analysis Buildings No. 1 & 2 Project No. 689-12-032

June 5, 2013 van Zelm #2012008.00 van Zelm, Heywood & Shadford, Inc.

10 Talcott Notch Road Farmington, CT 06032-1800

VA Project Manager: William P. Cullingford P.E. (203) 932-5711 (X2077) VA Contracting Officer: Kathleen Koseoglu (401) 455-4911

INTRODUCTION

A. van Zelm, Heywood & Shadford, Inc. has been commissioned to perform an engineering study to investigate existing medical systems that do not meet modern day medical standards and to provide medical gas upgrade recommendations for Buildings #1 and #2. The purpose of this project is to bring existing systems up to modern functionality within all spaces to the furthest extent possible. No exterior building upgrades will be provided beyond modifications to accommodate the proposed medical gas system upgrades.

B. Building #1 is a multistory hospital building that was originally erected in the late 1940’s and has had many areas renovated from that period to present date. The building is primarily a conventional concrete frame structure with an aluminum skin consisting of a partial sub-sub-ground floor, full sub-ground floor, ground floor, first floor through 9th floor, 10th floor mechanical penthouse and 11th floor elevator machine room. Buildings #1 and #2 are interconnected on the first floor which is at grade level.

C. Building #2 is a multistory hospital building that was originally erected in the late 1940’s and has had many areas renovated from that period to present date. The building is primarily a conventional concrete frame structure with an aluminum skin consisting of ground floor, first floor through 9th floor and elevator machine room.

D. This study will provide detailed existing medical gas systems, and applicable code references to indicate system inadequacies. In addition, construction budget estimates are provided.

E. This report will detail the deficiencies found within Building #1 and Building #2, which are not in compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99: Health Care Facilities Code, 2012 edition.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. The purpose of this project is to modernize the existing medical gas systems in order to achieve more functionality and ease of operation.

SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

A. MECHANICAL

1. The Oxygen tank farm serving Buildings #1 and #2 is located at the northeast corner of Building #1 near the loading dock. The installation is comprised of a main 6,000 gallon liquid container and a 500 gallon emergency liquid container. The source piping enters Building #1 on the east side of Mechanical Room #SG182 and extends through the building while branching off to the building risers. A main feed extends from that system to Building #2 and branches to building #2 risers.

2. There are two main medical air sources within Building #1. The first medical air compressor package is a racked set of compressors, located in Mechanical Room #SG182 in the sub basement level. This medical air system serves Building #1 in its entirety except for the Operating Rooms and the S.I.C.U., located on the third level. The second medical air compressor package is a racked set of compressors, located on the fifth level in Mechanical Room #5224A in the north wing. This medical air source supplies the Operating Rooms and S.I.C.U. on the third level.

3. There are two main medical vacuum sources in Building #1. The first medical vacuum pump package is located in Mechanical Room #SG182 in the sub basement level. This pump package serves Building #1 in its entirety except for the Operating Rooms and S.I.C.U., located on the third level. The second medical vacuum pump package is located on the fifth level in Mechanical Room #5224A in the north wing. This pump package serves the Operating Rooms and S.I.C.U. on the third level.

4. There is one Nitrogen manifold, located in Gas Bottle Storage Room #3209, located on the third level. This source supplies the Operating Rooms on the third level.

5. There is one Nitrous Oxide manifold, located in Gas Bottle Storage Room #3209, located on the third level. This source supplies the Operating Rooms on the third level.

6. There is one main medical air source within building #2, a racked set of compressors located in Mechanical Room #G137 on the ground level. This supplies medical air to the entire building.

7. There is one main medical vacuum source within building #2, located in Mechanical Room #G137 on the ground level. This pump package serves the entire building.

8. There is one main Dental compressed air source within building #2, located in Mechanical Room #G137 on the ground level. This pump package serves the dental areas in Building #2.This is not shown on the medical air riser building #2

9. There is one main Dental vacuum source within building #2, located in Mechanical Room #2120 on the second level. This pump package serves the dental areas in Building #2.

B. ELECTRICAL

MASTER ALARM PANELS (PANELS USED FOR CENTRAL REPORTING)

1. There are two Master Alarm Panels in the hospital (minimum of two are required by NFPA 99, 2012 Edition). One Master Alarm Panel is located in the Boiler Plant Control Room and the other is located in the Operators Room (Building #1 Room G250). They are intended to receive trouble and alarm signals from all Area Alarm Panels (air and gas panels/systems in suites), Local Alarm Panels for central oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide systems and Local Alarm Panels from central Medical Air/Vacuum supply systems and any associated gas leak detection system. If the Area Alarm Panels are located in a continuously occupied area they do not have to be monitored by the Master Alarm Panels. Since all of the Area Alarm Panels in both Building 1 and 2 are in occupied patient/procedure areas they do not have to be monitored by the Master Alarm Panels. However, all of the Local Alarm Panels must be monitored by the Master Alarm Panels per code, which include the central Medical Air compressors, the Medical Vacuum pumps, the Nitrogen and Nitrous Oxide storage systems and any required Oxygen Depletion panels/systems.

2. Per NFPA 99, 2012 edition requirements, one of the two Master Alarms must be located in a continuously occupied location. The Operators Room (G250) in Building #1 meets this requirement. This Master Alarm presently receives signals for the Oxygen System Local Alarm Panel. In addition, it receives signals for both the Nitrogen and Nitrous Oxide Local Alarm Systems located on the 5th floor of Building #1. This Master Alarm does not receive alarm signals from the three Medical Air Local Alarm Systems or the three Vacuum Local Alarm Systems. Since it does not receive these alarms, it is in violation of NFPA 99. 5.1.9.2.1.

3. The second Master Alarm in the Boiler Plant Control Room only receives signals from the Oxygen System Local Alarm Panel and no other system. At this time, the Boiler Room Master Alarm is not working and must be repaired. Since the panel is inoperative and does not receive all the required alarms, the system is in violation of NFPA 99.

4. In addition, as required by code, this second Master Alarm Panel must be located in the room/area of the person who is responsible for the maintenance of the gas, air and vacuum systems. The Boiler Plant location does not meet this requirement, so its location is in violation of NFPA 99. 5.1.9.2.1. The Master Alarm Panel should be located in John Meagher’s office, since he is responsible for the systems.

5. Refer to mechanical drawings for plan locations of Master Alarm Panels.

6. Existing Alarm Points presently on the Master Alarm Panels:

Boiler Plant Control Room Panel:

1) Main Oxygen Storage Tank Low Liquid

2) Reserve Oxygen In Use

3) Reserve Oxygen Storage Tank Low Liquid

4) Reserve Oxygen Pressure Low

5) House Oxygen Line Pressure Low

6) House Oxygen Line Pressure High Operator Room Building 1 Room G250 Panel:

1) Main Oxygen Storage Tank Low Liquid

2) Reserve Oxygen In Use

3) Reserve Oxygen Storage Tank Low Liquid

4) Reserve Oxygen Pressure Low

5) House Oxygen Line Pressure Low

6) House Oxygen Line Pressure High

7) Nitrogen Line Pressure High

8) Nitrogen Line Pressure Low

9) N/A

10) Nitrous Oxide High/Low

11) Nitrous Oxide Reserve Cylinder In Use

12) Nitrogen Cylinder In Use

C. AREA ALARM PANELS (PANELS USED FOR LIMITED AREA SYSTEMS)

1. There are numerous Area Alarm Panels for air and gas systems in the hospital. These panels are “stand-alone” alarm panels within the “limited” area that they serve. The Area Alarm Panels are not required to be connected to the Master Alarm Panels by code, since they are located in areas that are continuously occupied by hospital staff. Each Area Alarm Panel has both visual an audible alarm indication on their respective panels.

2. The Area Alarm Panels monitor one or more of the following: Medical air, Medical vacuum, oxygen, nitrous oxide, nitrogen and waste anesthetic gas disposal (WAGD). (Refer to medical gas drawings for plan locations of Area Alarm Panels and type of systems being monitored).

3. Many, if not all, of the Area Alarm Panels including the Nitrogen Control Panels and systems in Buildings 1 and 2 were updated during the “Clinical Addition Project” in 2002, but this was not been confirmed by the hospital maintenance department. They appear to meet all alarm notification requirements as required by code.

4. Refer to mechanical drawings for locations of Area Alarm Panels.

D. MEDCIAL GAS SUPPLY SYSTEMS WITH LOCAL ALARM PANELS

1. There are three main Medical gas supply systems (gas tanks and associated Local Alarm Panels) at the hospital. (Oxygen, Nitrogen and Nitrous Oxide).

a) The Oxygen System Local Alarm Panel is located outdoors in the eastern section of the hospital site, outside of Building #1. The Local Alarm Panel “reports” to the Boiler Plant Master Alarm in the Boiler Plant office and also to the Master Alarm in the Operator Room in Building #1. There are in-line test switches in the basement level of Building #1 that facilitate more frequent testing of the alarms, but since they are “in-line” with conductors from the Local Alarm Panel to the Master Alarm panel, they violate NFPA 99. 5.1.9.2.3.2. NFPA does not allow anything but splices on the cabling. The system is tested at this location monthly and also testing at the outdoor Oxygen Alarm Panel less frequently. The Oxygen Local Alarm panel is operational.

b) The Nitrogen and Nitrous Oxide Local Alarm Panels are both located on the 3rd floor, Room 3209, of Building #1. Both panels alarm to only the Master Alarm in the Operators Room in Building #1. They do not report to the Boiler Room Master Alarm. Both Local Alarm Panels are operational. Since they do not report to both “required” locations they are in violation of NFPA 99. 5.1.9.2.1. In addition, the room lacks an Oxygen Depletion Detection System, which is in violation of NFPA 99.

c) Refer to mechanical drawings for location of Medical Gas Systems).

E. MEDICAL VACUUM AND MEDICAL AIR SYSTEMS WITH LOCAL ALARM

PANELS

1. There are three medical vacuum systems and three medical air systems in the hospital. All of the systems have backup motors/compressors and Local Alarm Panels. One of the Medical Vacuum systems and one of the Medical Air systems is located in Level SG of Building #1. Another Medical Vacuum system and another Medical Air system are located on Level 3 of Building #1. Lastly, one Medical Vacuum system and one Medical Air system are located in Level G of Building #2. All associated Local Alarm Panels for these systems are operational.

2. None of these Local Alarm Panels and associated systems are monitored by the two Master Alarm Panels, so they are in violation of NFPA 99. 5.1.9.2.1 and paragraph 5.1.3.6.3.13

3. Refer to Medical Gas drawings for plan locations of Medical Vacuum and Medical Air systems.

F. LOCATIONS OF AREA ALARM PANELS AND LOCAL ALARM PANELS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED GAS/VACUUM/AIR/NITROGEN/NITROUS OXIDE SYSTEMS:

Building #1:

Level SSG – 0 Area Alarm Panels, 1 Medical Air and 1 Medical Vacuum systems.

Level SG – 2 Area Alarm Panels Level G – 2 Area Alarm Panels, Outdoor Oxygen storage system.

Level 2 – 1 Area Alarm Panels Level 3 – 13 Area Alarm Panels, 1 Nitrogen storage and 1 Nitrous Oxide storage systems. (Note: Required Oxygen Depletion system for the Nitrogen/Nitrous Oxide storage room is not installed).

Level 4 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 5 – 5 Area Alarm Panels, 1 Medical Vacuum and 1 Medical Air systems Level 6 – 3 Area Alarm Panels Level 7 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 8 – Under Construction Level 9 – 0 Area Alarm Panels, 1 PACU, 1 Recovery, Area Under Construction

Building #2:

Level G – 1 Area Alarm Panels, 1 Medical Gas and 1 Medical Air systems. Level 1 – 5 Area Alarm Panels

Level 4 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 5 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 6 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 7 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 8 – 0 Area Alarm Panels Level 9 – 0 Area Alarm Panels

Refer to mechanical drawings for locations of Area Alarm Panels.

G. PRESENT POWER CONNNECTIONS TO ALARM PANELS

1. All Area Alarm, Local Alarm, Master Alarm Panels, Medical Air compressors, Medical Vacuum pump and Oxygen Depletion systems are connected to standby power since the entire complex is backup by standby generation. Whether they are properly connected, via “isolated” transfer switches to the “proper” electrical distribution system within the building has not been determined. (The different types of power distribution systems/ sources include “normal”, “nonessential”, “essential”, “essential equipment”, “critical” and “life safety” and are based on NEC 2012, Article 517). The hospitals electricians have verified the circuiting and power panel identification for power to most of the alarm panels, but the type of power source that serves these power panels is still an unanswered issue. If not connected to a “critical” power or an “essential equipment” power source, they are in violation of NFPA 99 and the NEC. The following circuiting information was provided by the hospital’s electrician: a. BUILDING 1:

i. SUBGROUND- Existing area alarm panel preparation room #SG192 panel/RP, ckt#32.

• Medical gas alarm panel for MRI: Panel being relocated. ii. GROUND FLOOR- Existing area alarm panel adjacent to room#SG166 panel/LHB1-G1B1, ckt#4/6 (277v).

iii. Existing area Amico alarm panel reception area adjacent to roomG179 panel/LHB1-G1B1, ckt#10/12 (277v).

iv. SECOND FLOOR –Existing area alarm panel room 2165,2166,2167,2170 panel/LH2-F1B1, ckt#11(277v).

v. THIRD FLOOR-Existing area alarm panel rooms 3181, 3185, 3189, 3189b, 3193, panel/LH3-F1B1, ckt#3/5(277v).

· Existing area alarm panel recovery room #3166 panel/LH3-F1B1, ckt#4/6 (277v).

· Existing area alarm panel for panel located in recovery room #3251 panel/LL-3-H1-B1, CKT#7 for two panels.

· Existing area alarm panel for operating room suite control desk room #3225 panel /LL-3-H1-B1, ckt#2.

· Existing nitrogen and nitrous oxide panels in room #3209 panel /CL3-H1-B1, ckt#22.

· Existing nitrogen panels alarm in rooms 3225, g250 and adjacent to rooms #3246, #3227. (Electrician has indicated there may be three more panels that are not noted here).

vi. FIFTH FLOOR-Existing area alarm panel at nurses station room #5177 panel/EP5C, ckt#34.

· Existing area alarm panel corridor s-5-c panel /EQP5, ckt#37.

· Existing area alarm panel corridor adjacent to room #5216 panel/LP1A, ckt#11.

· Existing area alarm panel nurses station room #5115 panel /EPLS1, ckt#13.

· Existing area alarm panel room#5107 panel/EPLS1, ckt#10 being relocated.

vii. SIXTHFLOOR Existing area alarm panel charting/control room#6188 panel/L6W, ckt#12.

· Existing medical vacuum pump located in room#5224a unit 1 panel/EDP-5NM, ckt#14 - 3 pole 20a unit 2 med vacuum panel /EP5-NMA, ckt#5 3 pole 20 A.

· Existing medical air pump located in room #5224a panel/EDP-5NM, ckt#5, 3 pole 60 a.

· Med air pumps sensors driers panel/EDP-5NM, ckt#15/17 Medical air alternator, panel/EP-5-NMA, ckt#6. iix. SUBGROUND Med vacuum panel/EH-B2-H1B1, ckt#2/4/6. Medical air panel /EH-B2-H1B1, ckt#13/15/17.

b. BUILDING 2:

i. FIRST FLOOR; Existing area alarm panel located in reception room#2186 panel/LH-2-D1B2, ckt#6+8(277V)

· Existing area alarm panel located near exam room #1120 panel/CL1C1B2, ckt#8.

· Existing area alarm panel located in corridor adjacent to room#1204 panel/LH-1-D1B2, ckt#6+8 panel in room#1224(277v).

· Existing area alarm panel located in corridor adjacent to med prep room#1142 panel/LH1-C1B2, ckt#14 panel in room #1125.

· Existing area alarm panel located in corridor adjacent to reception area#1156 panel/LH1-C1B2, ckt#16.

· Existing area alarm panel located in corridor adjacent to exam room#1237 panel/LH-1-D1B2, ckt#10/12 (277V) panel in room #1224.

· Existing area alarm panel located in corridor #CG-8 dialysis panel/CLB1-C1B2, ckt#13.

ii. GROUND FLOOR med vacuum panel/EH-B1-D1-B2, ckt#13/15/17(277V) medical air panel/EH-B1-D1-B2, ckt#1/3/5(277v).

· Telephone operators area oxygen med gas panel, panel/LP, ckt#22.

c. BOILER PLANT: Boiler plant operator’s area oxygen medical gas panel, panel/B, ckt#17.

MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES

Building #1

(Approx. 20 room/area locations).

20 room/area locations).

Create chase to enclose piping.

arranged so that shutting off the supply of Medical Gas or Medical Vacuum for one zone will not affect another zone on the same floor, or rest of system per NFPA #5.1.4.8.2.

Sub Ground Level Mechanical Room and the Fifth (5th) Floor Mechanical Room for each exhaust connection per NFPA #5.1.3.7.7.5 (2).

Building #2

(Approx. 15 room/area locations).

(7).

#5.1.10.11.4.

NFPA #5.1.3.6.3.4 (F) and #5.1.3.7.2.3.

ELECTRICAL DEFICIENCIES

Room 3209 (Building #1) to the Master Alarm Panel in John Meagher’s office. (Already connected to the Operators Room G250). Some conduit but mostly wire.

Local Alarm (6 in Building #1, 2 in Building #2) and the 2 Master Alarm Panels to a “Critical” power source. IF NOT

ALREADY SO CONNECTED.

Confirmation of this was not possible on site. Power shall comply with NFPA #9.3.7.5.3.

“supervised” so if the communication path is interrupted, there would be a “trouble’ indication on the network. (Note: The 24/7 Master Alarm Panel in the Operators Room must remain “hardwired”).

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