The medical air intake shall be located a minimum of _____ from all doors, windows or other openings in the building.

• A. 10 ft
• B. 15 ft
• C. 20 ft
• D. 25 ft

Answer: (A)

Protecting the purity of medical air means shielding the intake from contaminants that can enter through building openings. If the intake is placed too close to doors, windows, or other openings, odors, vehicle exhaust, smoke, cleaning chemicals, or other pollutants near the entrance can be drawn directly into the air supply when doors open or air currents shift.

Setting a minimum distance of ten feet provides a practical buffer that reduces the risk of introducing these contaminants into the medical air system, helping ensure cleaner, more consistent outdoor air for the hospital’s piping. While greater distances would also be protective, ten feet is the required minimum.