Arrange appropriate training, in conjunction with Corporate H&S, for all Borough of Poole staff involved in Legionella control. Monitor compliance to the relevant regulations ACOP’s and guidance documentation. Appoint a competent contractor who will be a member of the Legionella Control Association (LCA) and must on request supply their certificate of membership. to carry out all necessary risk assessments, ongoing monitoring and to offer advice to Borough of Poole sites. Water Hygiene Consultants and Contractors must be carefully selected to ensure that they have the correct level of competence for the tasks they are to perform. 5. The Role of the Facilities Officer To ensure that Property Management use approved contractors to carry out the water hygiene measures detailed in the management plan. This will include but is not limited to: Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the competent contractors appointed to carry out the monitoring responsibilities on behalf of the Borough of Poole. Arranging any works required because of the monitoring or assessments, reviewing completion of remedial works required and the completion recorded in the records. 6. The Role of Service Unit Heads Service Unit Heads are responsible for ensuring that all premises where they have staff working have appropriate controls in place to manage the risk of legionella. They should check with Property Management as to whether or not the buildings are included in the corporate contract. If a service unit has any system that is outside of a corporate building and is not identified above within the scope of this policy then you must seek advice from corporate Health and Safety. Service Unit Heads can instruct Property Management to carry out Legionella control measures, including:- Risk Assessments Maintain a log book or access to electronic temperature monitoring Cleaning of shower Heads Safety checks for Thermostatic Temperature control valves (TMV’s) in the premises that they and their staff occupy or for which they have responsibility. If they do not wish to use Property management to provide this service, they must appoint a competent person (member of Legionella Control Association) to carry out the appropriate water hygiene measures for them. Property Management will make available the current water hygiene risk assessment for the premises that they occupy. 7. The Role of the Estates Team
Recommended Inspections for Hot and Cold water systems. Service Actions Frequency Calorifiers Inspect the Calorifier internally by removing the inspection hatch or using a Boroscope. Clean by draining the vessel. The frequency of inspection and cleaning should be subject to the results and increased or decreased based on the conditions recorded. Annually, or as indicated by the rate of fouling. Where there is no inspection hatch, purge any debris in the base of the Calorifier to a suitable drain. Collect the initial flush from the base of hot water heaters to inspect clarity, quantity of debris and temperature. Annually, but may be increased as indicated by the risk assessment or result of inspection findings. Check Calorifier flow temperatures. Settings should modulate as close to 60Cas practicable without going below 60C. Check the return temperatures are not below 50C. Monthly Hot water services For non–circulating systems: record the temperatures at sentinel points (nearest, furthest and long branch outlets) to confirm they are at a minimum of 50C within one minute Monthly For circulating systems: record temperatures at return legs of principal loops to confirm they are at a minimum of 50C. Temperatures can be taken on the surface of metallic pipework. Monthly For circulating systems: record temperatures at return legs of subordinate loops. Temperature readings can be taken on the surface of pipes but where this is not practible, the temperature may be measured and this should be 50C within one minute of running. If the temperature rise is slow it should be confirmed that the outlet is on a long leg and not that the return has failed in that area. Quarterly on a rolling monthly rota. All hot water systems (HWS systems): record temperatures at a representative selection of other points (intermediate outlets of single pipe systems and tertiary loops in circulating systems) to confirm they are at a minimum of 50C to create a temperature profile of the whole system over a defined period. Representative selection of other sentinel outlets considered on a rotational basis to ensure the whole system is reaching satisfactory temperatures for legionella control. POU (point of use) water heaters (no greater than 15 litres) Check water temperatures to confirm the heater operates at 50-60C or check the installation has a high turnover. Monthly – six monthly, or as indicated by the risk assessment. Inspect the integral cold water header tank as part of the cold water storage tank inspection regime. Annually.
Combination Water Heaters Clean and disinfect as necessary. If evidence shows that the unit regularly overflows hot water into the integral cold water header tank, instigate a temperature monitoring regime to determine the frequency and take precautionary measures as determined by the monitoring regime. water temperatures at an outlet to confirm the heater operates at 50-60C Monthly Cold Water Tanks Inspect cold water storage tanks and carry out remedial works where necessary. Annually Check the tank water temperature remote from the ball valve and the incoming mains temperature. Record the maximum temperatures of the stored and supply water recorded by fixed maximum /minimum thermometers where fitted. Annually (Summer) or as indicated by temperature profiling. Cold Water Services Check temperatures at sentinel taps. These outlets should be below 20c within two minutes of running the cold tap. To identify any local heat gain that might not be apparent after one minute, observe the thermometer reading during flushing. Monthly Take temperatures at a representative selection of other points to confirm they are below 20C to create a temperature profile of the whole system over a defined period. Peak temperatures or any temperatures that are slow to fall should be an indicator of a localised problem. Representative selection of other sentinel outlets considered on a rotational basis to ensure the whole system is reaching satisfactory temperatures for legionella control. Check thermal insulation to ensure it is intact and consider weatherproofing where components are exposed to the outdoor environment. Annually. Showers and spray taps. Dismantle and descale removable parts, heads, inserts and hoses where fitted. Quarterly or as indicated by the rate of fouling or other risk factors. POU (point of use) Filters Record the service start date and lifespan or end date and replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer. According to manufacturers guidelines. Base Exchange Softeners Visually check the salt levels and top up salt if required. Undertake a hardness check to confirm operation of the softener. Weekly depending on the size of the vessel and the rate of salt consumption. Service and disinfect Annually or according to manufacturers guidelines. Multiple use filters Back wash and regenerate as specified by the manufacturer. According to manufacturers guidelines.
Infrequently used outlets Consideration should be given to removing infrequently used showers taps and associated equipment that uses water. If removed any supply pipe work should be cut back as far as possible to a common supply. Infrequently used equipment within a water system should be included on the flushing regime. Flush outlets until the temperature at the outlet stabilises and is comparable to supply water and purge to drain. Regularly use the outlets to minimise the risk from microbial growth in the peripheral parts of the system, and maintain and log this procedure once started. Weekly or as indicated by the risk assessment. TMVs (thermostatic mixer valve) Assess whether the TMV is required and if not remove. Where needed inspect, clean, descale and disinfect any strainers or filters associated with TMVs. To maintain protection against scald risk TMVs require regular routine maintenance carried out by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Annually or on a frequency defined by the risk assessment taking account of any manufacturers recommendations. Expansion vessels Where practical, flush through and purge to drain. Bladders should be charged according to the manufacturer’s guidelines or as indicated by a risk assessment. Monthly-six monthly as indicated by the risk assessment.