Pipeline systems
Master alarm
A master alarm is the medical gas alarm system that, in the text of the US code NFPA 99 reproduced in a 2021 NFPA committee report, monitors the source of supply, any reserve source and the main line pressure of each medical gas and vacuum pipeline, with panels in at least two separate locations.
NFPA 99 is the US health care facilities code. In its text reproduced in an NFPA committee report of August 2021, medical gas alarms are grouped into master, area and local alarms, and the master alarm system has two or more panels in at least two separate locations: one in the office or work space of the person responsible for maintaining the medical gas and vacuum systems, and one in a continuously staffed place such as the telephone switchboard or the security office. The current edition is NFPA 99:2027, so check its wording when writing a specification.
Other codes use other names for a similar job. HTM 02-01 (2026) in England describes a plant alarm system that monitors and remotely displays the status of the supply plant, with a central indicator panel in an area occupied 24 hours a day and repeater panels where the information is also needed. Area alarms then cover each ward or department.
Ultra Controlo supplies master alarm panels for medical gas pipelines, and on ULTRAOX oxygen plants all alarms are also on an interface for remote signalling.
Sources
- NFPA Committee Input Report on NFPA 99 (August 2021), CI-1071, sections 5.1.9.1 and 5.1.9.2
- NFPA 99 document page: current edition 2027
- HTM 02-01 (2026) Part A, paragraphs 14.55 to 14.62 (NHS England)
- Ultra Controlo, Medical gas answers: alarm panels; ULTRAOX datasheet 2022, p. 16
Ultra Controlo figures come from its technical datasheets. Third-party facts were read at the source on the date shown.