Runouts to alarm panels and connecting tubing for gauges and alarm devices shall be permitted to be which NPS?

The correct answer reflects the standard practices and standards in medical gas installation, which specify permissible pipe sizes for certain applications, including runouts to alarm panels and connecting tubing for gauges and alarm devices. In this context, a nominal pipe size (NPS) of 1/4 inch is commonly utilized because it allows for adequate flow rates while still being compact enough for the installation side of alarm panels and connecting gauges.

Using 1/4 inch NPS ensures that the gas flows effectively to the alarm devices without being restricted, which is critical for the timely detection of any issues within the medical gas distribution system. This size strikes a balance between being sufficiently large to ensure effective communication of gas flow status while also being small enough to facilitate neat installations that adhere to safety and space considerations in healthcare environments.

Larger sizes may not only be unnecessary but could complicate the design and installation, leading to potential issues with fitting and routing the tubing. Thus, the 1/4 inch NPS is not just a common choice, but a practical one that meets industry standards for these specific applications.