What is the purpose of zone valves in medical gas systems?

The purpose of zone valves in medical gas systems is to control the flow of gases to different areas of a facility. These valves are strategically placed within the system to allow for easy isolation of specific sections of piping. This is particularly important in healthcare settings, where certain zones may need to have their gas supply turned off for maintenance, repairs, or in emergencies, without disrupting the overall supply to the entire facility.

By controlling the flow, zone valves enhance operational flexibility and ensure that the correct medical gases are delivered to the appropriate areas, such as operating rooms or patient recovery areas, according to need. This also contributes to safety and efficiency in managing gas supplies, which are critical in a medical environment.

In contrast, other mentioned functions, such as regulating pressure, monitoring gas leakages, or providing emergency lighting, are not the primary roles of zone valves, making them less relevant in this context.