Determine master alarm vs. area alarm requirements and testing frequency for a medical gas system

Steps

1. Confirm master alarm panels monitor the source of supply, reserve source (if any), and main line pressures, and must include signals reflecting source-equipment problems
2. Confirm NFPA 99 requires two master alarm panel locations for continuous surveillance — one typically in a facility engineering/maintenance area and a second in a continuously staffed location (e.g., telephone switchboard, security office, or nursing supervisor station)
3. Confirm area alarm panels monitor branch-line pressures for medical gas, medical-surgical vacuum, and WAGD in a specific area, are located at a nurse's station or similar location, and are set to alarm on a defined percentage deviation (commonly cited as ±20%) from normal line pressure
4. Confirm monthly functional (push-button) testing is required for alarms, and separately confirm the exact annual/periodic actual fault-condition testing requirement (frequency for master vs. area alarms) directly against the current NFPA 99 edition text rather than a secondary source, since cited intervals vary
5. Confirm testing is performed/witnessed by qualified personnel and documented as part of ongoing maintenance/testing records