Legionella risk in the planning stages
You may not have put consideration into it but maybe Legionella risk minimisation should be part of the design process. As a Legionella specialist, I’m not going to profess I am expert in clinical care and tell you how many pan rooms or how many wash basins are appropriate for an aged care facility.
But think about it, will every outlet you put in your building be regularly used? With enough foresight, the Legionella risk can be engineered-out as much as possible in the early planning stages.
And then there is planning and building, have you managed the stages between building completion? Handover dates and the commissioning of the water system? This can be a stressful time for anyone in charge of a large project but with enough planning it can be a smooth transition.
Sometimes with large facilities, builders haven’t considered a water flushing program until the building becomes fully occupied. But did you know that the way the building is populated at the beginning can be planned to ensure the site-wide movement of hydraulics can occur?
The necessity of Outlets Versus Operational Costs
In many discussions with facility managers and maintenance managers we have found water outlets in rooms that were convenient but due to operational costs or building behaviour are not being used. Solely with regards to Legionella risk, you must find that happy balance between having an outlet for convenience versus the actual use of that outlet.
An example of this may be:
Having a hand wash station/sink/pan room at the end of a corridor that does not get used or is rarely used. This may be convenient for the odd occasion but if generally not going to be used, creates an idle leg which needs to be flushed weekly and if not flushed weekly can become a Legionella risk as a breeding ground and back contaminate the rest of the water system. Consideration should be given if this outlet is necessary.
Warm Water Systems
Although communal warm water systems are a good way to reduce costs with regards to TMV associated maintenance they are also a high-risk system. Warm Water systems are becoming increasingly popular due to the almost crippling cost of plumbers’ TMV inspections when multiplied on a scale of, say, over 30 valves on site on a 12-month cycle.
With warm water systems, it is important that the system is managed from the day the water is turned on. You may want to make provisions for events like a Legionella colonisation.
If you would like a copy of our Better Design Ideas handout, a simple document of our knowledge and observations from Aged care facilities. Please email below. It helps you produce a checklist which can ensure you reduce headaches or costs later down the line.
Compliance Water Services can assist you with Water Risk Management Plans and help with developing systems to ensure documentation is maintained for the remedial action taken. Ph 0429431709 or email andrew.clifford@compliancewaterservices.com.au or send an inquiry through our website here.
