ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 6000-2018, Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel, has been designated as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute and is now available for purchase. The 2018 edition of ASSE Series 6000 parallels the medical gas-related requirements of NFPA 99-2018, Health Care Facilities Code.

ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 6000-2018 addresses minimum requirements for medical gas systems inspectors, verifiers, maintenance personnel and instructors, which are referenced by regulatory officials to determine if personnel are qualified to work on piped medical gas systems in their jurisdictions. The specialized disciplines covered in ASSE Series 6000 are necessary to provide for all aspects involved in the installation, testing, and maintenance of the piped medical gas/vacuum distribution systems that are installed in health care facilities throughout the United States.

There were 51 members of the ASSE 6000 working group who participated in revision of this standard series. Approximately 200 changes to the previous edition of the standard were initially proposed, and additional changes were entertained during working group meetings.

“We applaud the individuals who gave of their time to volunteer on the ASSE 6000 Working Group,” said Edward Lyczko, Chairperson of the ASSE Series 6000 Working Group. “We thank the many volunteers who participated in the initial development of this standard and its subsequent revisions. Each year, so many people participate in the ASSE standards development process — whether they are involved with professional qualifications standards, like the ASSE Series 6000, or product performance standards, we appreciate all that they do to improve our industry.”

Changes to NFPA 99-2018 are reflected in the 2018 edition of ASSE Series 6000. These include, in part, the use of oxygen concentrator units, the allowance for corrugated medical tubing, additional requirements for dental systems, and a change in terminology from “bulk medical gas” to “Compressed Medical Gas (CMG) Cryogenic Fluid Central Supply.” Additional updates and revisions were made to the 10 standards and 14 annexes that make up the ASSE Series 6000 in order to continually improve the standard.

To purchase ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 6000-2018, please visit the ASSE International Webstore at www.assewebstore.com. For questions regarding the 2018 edition of ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 6000, contact Marianne Waickman, ASSE International Professional Qualifications Director at marianne.waickman@asse-plumbing.org or (708) 995-3015.