Medical gas central supply systems are NOT permitted to be located where?

• A. In an unlocked location
• B. Outdoors
• C. Remote from medical gas system use points
• D. In the same storage facility as medical gas cylinders

Answer: (A)

Central gas systems must be protected from unauthorized access to ensure safety and integrity of the gas supply. Putting a central supply system in an unlocked location creates a significant risk of tampering, accidental changes to connections or pressures, and potential harm to patients and staff. Locking the area prevents unauthorized interference and helps ensure that only qualified personnel can operate, service, or monitor the system.

Other environments—such as outdoor placements or remote sites—introduce additional challenges like weather exposure, maintenance access, and pressure integrity, which are undesirable but not the fundamental safety constraint addressed by this question. Locating the system in the same storage facility as cylinders may be acceptable in some designs if the area is properly engineered, but the primary prohibitive factor being tested here is the need for secured, locked access.