CGA Releases Updated M-1 Standard for Medical Gas Supply Systems at Health Care Facilities

ANSI/CGA M-1, Standard for Medical Gas Supply Systems at Health Care Facilities, has undergone a comprehensive revision to meet the five-year ANSI requirement for maintaining its status as an American National Standard. This fifth edition introduces several key updates and clarifications aimed at improving safety, compliance, and operational efficiency in medical gas supply systems.

Key Updates for System Upgrades and Maintenance

One of the major updates includes provisions for upgrades to compressed medical gas (CMG) supply systems. The revised standard specifies that full system upgrades must comply with the current edition. However:

  • Replacement-in-kind components do not require full system updates.
  • Nonidentical replacement parts are allowed if functionally equivalent.
  • Routine and scheduled maintenance does not necessitate system-wide compliance updates.

Expanded Applicability to Nonhuman Use Facilities

The applicability of the standard has been extended beyond human health care to include:

  • Veterinary facilities
  • Laboratory environments
  • Pharmaceutical operations

In these settings, compliance is determined by the system designer and relevant authorities.

Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities

The revised standard places greater emphasis on personnel qualifications, requiring formal education, training, and certification (e.g., ASSE 6015) for those involved in:

  • System design
  • Installation
  • Maintenance

It also outlines the responsibilities of:

  • Health care facilities
  • System owners
  • Suppliers

These responsibilities include conducting annual reviews of system design, communicating any changes, and maintaining overall system integrity.

Facility and Equipment Requirements

Additional updates include detailed guidance on:

  • Site selection – Exterior cylinder locations must be secure, well-drained, and temperature-controlled.
  • Alarm systems – The standard mandates minimum requirements for documented procedures when alarm systems are disabled or inoperative, to ensure safety and reliability.

Prohibition on Liquid Oxygen Transfilling

A critical safety update prohibits the withdrawal of liquid oxygen USP from primary or reserve storage tanks for transfilling purposes. This practice is restricted due to significant safety and regulatory concerns.

Download M-1: https://portal.cganet.com/publication/M-1/details