What is ASSE 6040 Certification for Medical Air Systems?

When it comes to healthcare environments, patient health and safety is always the highest priority, which extends to ensuring that the maintenance of medical air systems is performed by specially trained technicians.

As a result, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) created the ASSE 6040 Medical Gas Systems Maintenance Personnel Certification program to assure that only qualified, technically competent individuals with experience in the field of medical gas and vacuum systems perform maintenance on these essential healthcare technologies.

This blog will provide an overview of the ASSE 6040 certification, its requirements and its importance in medical air compressor system maintenance.

What is ASSE 6040 Certification?

ASSE 6040 for Medical Gas Systems Maintenance Personnel is a part of the ASSE Series 6000-2024 Professional Qualifications Standards for Medical Gas Systems Personnel and has been designated as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ASSE standard aligns with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99-2024 Health Care Facilities Code.

While there are many regulations placed on the manufacturers of medical devices and medical air systems, once the equipment is placed in a healthcare facility, it becomes the responsibility of the facility to inspect, maintain and ensure safe and sanitary operation because the equipment is directly used in the treatment of patients.

For this reason, it is essential to make sure that anyone performing inspections, repairs or maintenance on medical air compressor systems or medical gas systems in healthcare facilities that fall within the scope of the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code is highly qualified. This means that in addition to having experience with this specialized type of medical equipment maintenance, these individuals must also have knowledge of the applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations from federal, state and local governments as it relates to medical vacuum and medical air systems. Additionally, those who service critical medical air systems must be well versed in equipment performance, testing and maintenance, as well as proper documentation and reporting of these activities.

Using an ASSE 6040 certified technician is the best way to comply with the necessary regulations and assure patient safety.

It should be noted that, per the standard, covered medical gas systems include those distributing medical gases or air, such as medical air compressor systems, medical vacuum, waste anesthetic gas disposal (WAGD) and support gas piping.

What are the Requirements of ASSE 6040 Certification?

In accordance with the ASSE 6000 Standard, Section 6040, candidates for the 6040 certification must meet the following requirements in order to receive the ASSE 6040 certification:

• The individual must be employed or contracted by a healthcare facility or actively engaged in working with medical air systems.
• The candidate must have a minimum of one year of documented experience in the maintenance or testing of medical vacuum and medical air systems.
• The individual must have successfully completed a 24-hour training course that covers all aspects of the ASSE 6040 standard and is taught by an approved ASSE 6050 certified instructor.
• The candidate must successfully pass a written final examination, which may be open or closed book, depending on the credentialing company issuing the exam.
• Periodic renewal of the certification is required to maintain ASSE 6040 certification. Certified maintenance technicians must renew their license every three years by taking a renewal course and exam.

Upon completion of these requirements, the certified technician will be able to demonstrate competence and proficiency in the maintenance of medical vacuum and medical air systems as stated in the ASSE Series 6000 Standard.

For more information on the ASSE professional qualifications and standard requirements, please visit the ASSE website.

Why is ASSE 6040 Certification Important?

ASSE 6040 certification is essential because it confirms that the technician performing critical medical equipment maintenance is competent and experienced in the inspection, testing and repair of medical vacuum and medical air systems according to the NFPA 99 standard.

Using ASSE 6040 certified technicians ensures the following:

 To learn more about medical air compressor systems or ASSE 6040 certification and its requirements, please contact the air compressor experts at JHFOSTER today.