68-11-253 - Definitions Regulation of medical gas piping. - Tennessee Statutes

68-11-253. Definitions Regulation of medical gas piping.

(a)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1)  “Board” means the state board for licensing contractors created by title 62, chapter 6;

     (2)  “Certified medical gas installer” means a person who has qualified for certification by the successful completion of an approved training course approved by the board on the installation, maintenance and repair of medical gas piping;

     (3)  “Health care facility” includes any health care facility that is licensed pursuant to this part, and any facility that is defined under the American National Standard Institute-National Fire Protection Association 99 (ANSI-NFPA 99): Health Care Facilities; and

     (4)  “Medical gas piping” means the piping used solely to transport gases used for medical purposes at a health care facility.

(b)  It is a Class B misdemeanor for any person to install or repair medical gas piping in any health care facility, unless such person installing, maintaining, or repairing medical gas piping is a certified medical gas installer.

(c)  (1)  The board shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, establishing the minimum qualifications and requirements for the instruction on medical gas installation methods and maintenance techniques and other training for certification of persons for the installation, maintenance and repair of medical gas piping. The board may consult with the state fire marshal, or such other state agencies it deems appropriate to assist the board in the promulgation of such rules and regulations.

     (2)  The qualifications for certification adopted by the board shall include the qualifications for certification by the American Medical Gas Institute (AMGI) or the Piping Industry Progress and Education Trust Fund (PIPE), with a minimum of thirty-two (32) hours of training with eight (8) of such hours in brazing. The board shall from time to time revise the qualifications for certification to include the most current edition of NFPA 99 “Standard on Gas and Vacuum Systems.”

(d)  The board shall set fees for training, certification, certificate renewal and any other necessary fees in an amount sufficient to pay the costs of the provisions of this act relative to certification of persons wishing to install or repair medical gas piping.

(e)  The board may designate an independent examining agency to administer the training and the examinations required for certification. The board shall publish annually a list of persons certified to install or repair medical gas piping.

(f)  Upon request by the board, the commissioner of commerce and insurance shall include appropriate instruction in the inspection of medical gas piping in training programs for fire and building code personnel attending the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy.

(g)  Nothing in this section is intended to prevent an emergency repair to medical gas piping by any individual.

[Acts 1998, ch. 1094, § 1.]