Medical gases perform a critical role in health care delivery and are used every day by millions of people in thousands of locations such as hospitals, long term care homes, ambulances and dental offices. Disruptions in the delivery of medical gases can create serious threats to patient safety and care as well as increase maintenance and repair costs due to inefficiencies in the operation of medical gas systems.

This third edition of CSA Z7396.1, Part 1 is referenced in numerous provincial jurisdictions and is the foundation for installation of medical gas systems within health care facilities. It is comparable in scope to ISO 7396-1, Medical gas pipeline systems - Part 1: Pipeline Systems for Compressed Medical Gases and Vacuum, and ISO 7396-2, Medical Gas Pipeline Systems - Part 2: Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging Disposal Systems, but contains requirements to reflect Canadian practices and safety considerations.

Highlights of Z7396.1, Part 1 include:

• Focus on the design of systems to ensure the continuous supply of gas or vacuum in normal condition or in single fault condition
• Reinforcement of installation procedures for supply systems and pipelines
• Guidance on selection of materials and components
• Inclusion of control, monitoring, and alarm systems
• Specifications of contaminant testing of pipelines
• Reinforcement of the importance of cleanliness of materials and components and of the completed system
• Guidance on maintenance and ongoing verification