Medical Plumbing — Healthcare Facility Standards

Medical-Grade Plumbing for Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facility plumbing is not standard commercial plumbing performed in a medical building. It is a distinct discipline governed by ASPE (American Society of Plumbing Engineers) standards, ASSE specifications, and facility-specific infection control requirements. Putman & Sons has the certifications and protocols to meet these standards.

Medical plumbing failures carry risks that extend beyond property damage. A contaminated water supply line, an improperly brazed medical gas joint, or a failed vacuum system can compromise patient safety and trigger regulatory action. Every joint, every test, and every material selection in medical plumbing work must be documented and verifiable.

BAg Alloy Silver Brazing

Medical gas piping requires BAg-series silver brazing alloys (AWS A5.8 specification) rather than standard solder or copper brazing. BAg alloys — typically BAg-1 (45% silver) or BAg-7 (56% silver) — produce joints with tensile strengths exceeding 40,000 PSI and resist the vibration fatigue that degrades conventional solder joints in high-pressure medical gas systems. Our technicians are certified in BAg alloy application and follow ASSE 6010/6020 installer qualifications.

Oil-Free Nitrogen (NF) Purging

During brazing of medical gas piping, the interior of the pipe must be continuously purged with oil-free nitrogen (NF grade, 99.995% purity) to prevent copper oxide scale formation inside the pipe. Oxide scale that forms during unpurged brazing can flake off during system operation and contaminate medical gas delivery — a patient safety hazard that passes visual inspection of the exterior joint but fails the system internally.

Our nitrogen purge protocol maintains a continuous low-flow NF nitrogen blanket through the pipe interior during every braze joint. Flow rates are regulated to prevent turbulence while ensuring complete oxygen displacement. Each purge is logged with time, flow rate, and joint identification number as required by NFPA 99 documentation standards.

150 PSI Standing Pressure Test

Completed medical gas piping systems undergo a 150 PSI standing pressure test — the U.S. standard per NFPA 99, Chapter 5. The system is pressurized with oil-free nitrogen to 150 PSI and held for a minimum of 24 hours. Any pressure drop indicates a leak that must be located, repaired, and retested before the system is certified for use.

Medical-Grade Cleaning Standards

After pressure testing and before commissioning, all medical gas piping must be purged and cleaned to remove particulate, moisture, and any residual contaminants. Cleaning protocols follow manufacturer and NFPA 99 requirements, with the system verified to deliver gas meeting purity standards at every outlet. This final verification is documented and provided to the facility's maintenance records.

Facility Types We Serve

• Hospitals and surgical centers
• Dental offices and oral surgery suites
• Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals
• Laboratories and research facilities
• Urgent care and outpatient clinics
• Long-term care and rehabilitation facilities