Flushing of Infrequently Used Water Services

12/31/10 For more information about the above or any aspect of Legionella Management, please visit our website www.nemco-utilities.co.uk or call 01284 724 503.

Click to edit Master subtitle style

Flushing of Infrequently Used Water Services- BY Nemco Utilities Ltd.

(www.nemco-utilities.co.uk)


Flushing of Infrequently Used Water Services

Weekly flushing of rarely used water services is probably one of the most time consuming aspects of L8 compliance. The simple premise being that if we can keep water flowing within pipework on at least a weekly basis this will prevent the formation of biofilm and proliferation of bacteria to potentially dangerous numbers. This has proven to be an extremely effective way of managing bacterial levels, if not perhaps the most environmentally friendly of practices.

For more information about the above or any aspect of Legionella Management, please visit our website www.nemco-utilities.co.uk or call 01284 724 503.



Regular flushing can seem a daunting task, particularly for larger multi building sites, and begs the question would the expectation be that, for any shutdown period or say holidays for schools, to flush every water service every week? Provision is made in the guidance for what is effectively ‘post stagnation flushing’ where it is not practicable or difficult to flush weekly. The recommendation in this instance is to ensure that any stagnant water is purged from the water service or deadleg prior to use i.e. less than a week before the building is back in operation. If the water system is to be out of service for extended or indeterminate amounts of time then consideration should be given to mothballing.




The second important thing to remember is that Legionella are transmitted in a fine mist or spray, usually referred to as an aerosol, and thus it is essential that when purging away any potentially stagnant water that this is done so in a way so as not to create a spray. After all, the person completing the flushing is the person at risk. This presents limited problems in terms of taps - these can simply be run on a moderate flow (more attention should be given to those with spray inserts) or in the case of toilets simply flushed. For more information about the above or any aspect of Legionella Management, please visit our website www.nemco-utilities.co.uk or call 01284 724 503.



When tackling showers if these are the type with a flexi hose then the head can easily be removed and the water ran straight to drain, if these are fixed then the rose should be taken out and then either some piping or bagging placed over the head to prevent any spray. A similar theory would apply to any service capable of creating an aerosol e.g. jet wash, sprinkler system or fire hose reel. For more information about the above or any aspect of Legionella Management, please visit our website www.nemco-utilities.co.uk or call 01284 724 503.



Once started it is important that the flushing regime is kept up as a lapse can cause bacteria numbers to dramatically increase ending up with a worse problem than when you started! It remains the case that flushing is an effective and simple way to mange bacteria levels, if an outlet is very rarely used it may be worth removing altogether and cutting back any remaining pipework to prevent creation of dead legs.


Click to edit the outline text format

Second Outline Level Third Outline

Level Fourth

Outline Level Fifth

Outline Level

Sixth Outline Level

Seventh Outline Level

Eighth Outline Level

• Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles• Second level

• Third level• Fourth level

• Fifth level



Level Fourth

Outline Level

Fifth Outline Level

Sixth Outline Level



Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles



Level Fourth

Outline Level Fifth

Outline Level

Sixth Outline Level



• Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles• Second level

• Third level• Fourth level

• Fifth level


Nemco Utilities Ltd. • ADDRESSNemco Utilities Ltd 12 Kempson Way Hillside Business Park Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP32 7EA

Telephone: 01284 724503Fax No.: 01284 724826

• EMAIL• info@nemco-

utilities.co.uk

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

• Website: http://www.nemco-utilities.co.uk/


http://www.nemco-utilities.co.uk/



Flushing of Infrequently Used Water Services

Documents

Transcript of Flushing of Infrequently Used Water Services