With the approval of the authority having jurisdiction, in what areas shall the shutoff valves be permitted to be secured to prevent inappropriate access?

• A. critical care
• B. psychiatric or pediatric
• C. maternity
• D. anesthetizing

Answer: (B)

Shutoff valves can be secured to prevent inappropriate access only in areas where patient safety and access needs have been carefully weighed with AHJ approval. Psychiatric and pediatric units are the settings where securing the valves is allowed because patients in these areas may tamper with or misuse gas supplies, posing serious safety risks. Securing helps reduce that risk while still allowing staff to access the valves when needed.

In other areas like critical care, maternity, or anesthetizing spaces, immediate and reliable access to gas shutoffs is essential for patient care, emergencies, and procedures. Securing the valves could delay life-saving responses, so securing is generally not permitted there unless a specific AHJ-approved protocol is in place.