Which type of alarm provides a broader surveillance of medical gas conditions than a local alarm?

A master alarm provides a broader surveillance of medical gas conditions because it is designed to monitor multiple areas and systems within a healthcare facility, consolidating information into one central location. This allows for a comprehensive overview of the medical gas systems, alerting personnel to any conditions that could affect patient safety or the proper functioning of medical gases.

In contrast, an area alarm monitors a specific localized zone, providing limited oversight confined to a single location or system. A reserve alarm typically indicates the status of backup gas supply systems and is specific to that function rather than broad surveillance. An emergency alarm serves to alert personnel in crisis situations but does not focus on the ongoing monitoring needed for medical gas systems. Thus, the master alarm is essential for maintaining a higher level of awareness and rapid response capability across the entire facility regarding medical gas conditions.