Standards
ISO 7396-1 vs CSA Z7396.1
Short answer
CSA Group states that CSA Z7396.1:22, the Canadian medical gas pipeline standard, is comparable in scope to ISO 7396-1 and ISO 7396-2 but contains requirements reflecting Canadian practices and safety considerations; it covers medical gases, vacuum, medical support gases and anaesthetic gas scavenging together, while ISO treats scavenging disposal systems in ISO 7396-2.
ISO 7396-1:2016 sets requirements for the design, installation, function, performance, testing, commissioning and documentation of pipeline systems in healthcare facilities, and leaves anaesthetic gas scavenging disposal systems to ISO 7396-2. CSA Group describes CSA Z7396.1 as the governing standard for medical gas installations in health care institutions, published as a National Standard of Canada.
| ISO 7396-1 | CSA Z7396.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | ISO (ISO/TC 121/SC 6); adopted in Europe as EN ISO 7396-1:2016 + A1:2019 | CSA Group; National Standard of Canada |
| Edition on 22 October 2026 | ISO 7396-1:2016 with Amendment 1:2017; a 4th edition is under publication | CSA Z7396.1:22, the fifth edition, superseding those of 2017, 2012, 2009 and 2006 |
| Anaesthetic gas scavenging | Disposal systems are covered in ISO 7396-2, not in Part 1 | Covered in the same standard |
| Gases in scope | Compressed medical gases and vacuum; oxygen 93 is included, with a concentration of 90% to 96% where all sources deliver oxygen 93 | Oxygen USP, oxygen 93 USP, medical air USP, nitrous oxide USP, carbon dioxide USP, helium USP and listed mixtures; medical support gases (instrument air, nitrogen NF); medical vacuum; AGSS |
| Stated exclusions | Oxygen concentrators for domiciliary use; filling systems for transportable cylinders and cylinder bundles | Specific requirements for plume evacuation systems (informative guidance in Annex R) and hyperbaric chambers; veterinary and animal research facilities |
The 2022 CSA edition
CSA Group says the 2022 edition is primarily intended for new installations and does not require existing systems to be retrofitted; clause 11.5 covers repairs, additions and modifications to existing pipeline systems. The edition adds a requirement for an emergency management program (clause 4.11) and expands requirements and guidance on topics including maintenance, AGSS safety and operation, oxygen concentrators, and alarms and monitoring. It applies to all facilities providing health care services, from acute care hospitals to ambulatory clinics such as dentists' and doctors' offices.
Check the edition before you cite it
ISO lists a 4th edition of ISO 7396-1 at stage 60.00, under publication, since 23 September 2026, and DIN Media lists DIN EN ISO 7396-1:2019-06, the German version of EN ISO 7396-1:2016 + A1:2019, as current. For the English and US documents, see ISO 7396-1 vs HTM 02-01 vs NFPA 99.
Among Ultra Controlo datasheets, the ULTRAOX SC datasheet states compliance with ISO 7396-1:2016, and the ULTRASEG anaesthetic gas scavenging datasheet states compliance with EN ISO 7396-2.
More questions
Does CSA Z7396.1 cover anaesthetic gas scavenging?
Yes. Its scope covers anaesthetic gas scavenging systems together with medical gases, medical vacuum and medical support gases; in the ISO series, scavenging disposal systems are in ISO 7396-2.
Does CSA Z7396.1:22 require existing systems to be upgraded?
CSA Group says the standard is primarily intended for new installations and does not require retrofitting of existing systems; clause 11.5 covers repairs, additions and modifications.
Sources
- CSA Group, CSA Z7396.1:22 product page, Preface and Scope (clauses 1.1 to 1.6)
- ISO 7396-1:2016, iso.org
- ISO 7396-1, 4th edition (under publication), iso.org
- ISO 7396-2:2007, iso.org
- DIN EN ISO 7396-1:2019-06 (EN ISO 7396-1:2016 + A1:2019), DIN Media
- ULTRAOX SC datasheet, p. 2
- ULTRASEG datasheet, p. 2
Ultra Controlo figures come from its technical datasheets. Third-party facts were read at the source on the date shown.