Menu
Log in
Intranet

#HSG274Guidelines

Legionella Risk Management During School Holidays

Educational settings, from schools to universities, are tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of their students and staff year-round. One aspect of safety is Legionella risk management. The threat of Legionella bacteria proliferating in water systems during periods of reduced activity, such as end-of-term holidays, is a matter of concern. In this blog, we will explore Legionella risk management in educational settings, considering both inherent and operational factors, as well as preventive strategies during periods of low usage.

Understanding Legionella Risk

Legionella is a bacterium that thrives in warm, stagnant water. While the original design and setup of water systems in educational settings may incorporate industry best practices, during holiday breaks, many parts of the school, college or university may remain inactive, elevating the operational risk of Legionella contamination.

Effective Legionella Risk Management

Prevent Stagnation: To prevent stagnation, water systems must ensure sufficient water turnover, particularly in areas with low usage. Stagnant water between 20-45°C creates ideal conditions for Legionella growth. Therefore, maintaining adequate temperature differentials is crucial.

Temperature Control: Cold water outlets should consistently be below 20°C, while hot water should be stored above 60°C or no less than 50°C at the outlet. This range helps inhibit bacterial growth.

HSG274 Guidelines: Educational institutions should refer to HSG274 Part 2, Paragraph 2.50 when creating risk mitigation strategies. This guidance is particularly relevant for buildings with intermittent or low usage, offering practical advice on managing them effectively. For detailed information, you can access the document via the following link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part2.pdf

Flushing Protocol: Throughout school holidays, when students and staff are away, and natural water circulation isn’t maintained within educational facilities, it is crucial to implement a flushing protocol during periods of reduced usage. This practice is essential for safe water management and to prevent stagnation. Outlets are now considered infrequently used and should be flushed at a minimum of once a week. However, the optimal flushing frequency may vary depending on the risk assessment for your specific school. Your flushing schedule might need to be as frequent as daily, especially if you have encountered Legionella issues in your school, college, or university. In such cases, we recommend consulting your contractor or contacting us at Dantek, where we can provide expert guidance and assistance.

Legionella Risk Assessment: Carrying out a thorough Legionella risk assessment is a crucial step in proactive Legionella management for educational settings. This assessment acts as a practical tool to pinpoint potential risks and assess how well the current control measures are working. It’s like a roadmap that helps schools, colleges, and universities customize their Legionella prevention strategies to fit their specific situation.

System Maintenance: Systems left unused for extended periods should undergo thorough flushing, cleaning, and disinfection according to British Standards before being recommissioned. This maintenance is essential to prevent potential issues associated with long periods of disuse.

Legionella risk management is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff in educational settings. Proper water system management, temperature control, and adherence to industry guidelines are essential components of a comprehensive Legionella risk management plan. By implementing these strategies, educational settings can reduce the risk of Legionella contamination and create a safe learning and working environments for all, especially during extended breaks when water systems are at their most vulnerable.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our team on 01454 417 920 or e-mail sales@dantek.co.uk.

Choose Dantek for Water Hygiene Services this festive season!

We hope that you have enjoyed the informative blogs we’ve been sharing for the retail industry since October. From L8 Lite assessments to water hygiene monitoring and microbial sampling, our aim has been to provide valuable insights and guidance to help businesses thrive in the ever-evolving retail Christmas wonderland.

Dantek: Your Water Hygiene Partner

Dantek is not your run-of-the-mill water treatment company. With an unwavering commitment to water hygiene and treatment services across the UK, we are the reliable partner you need to maintain the highest standards for water safety. Our mission is clear: to help businesses comply with ACOP L8 and HSG274 regulations while efficiently managing water systems in a safe, cost-effective manner.

Why Choose Dantek for Retail Water Hygiene Services?

In an industry where simplicity, compliance, and expertise matter the most, Dantek offers a winning combination that sets us apart:

  1. Transparent Pricing: Our pricing structure is straightforward, ensuring you receive detailed quotes in record time, enabling quick and informed decisions.
  2. Legionella Control Association (LCA) Membership: Dantek has proudly been a member of the LCA since 2007. This affiliation guarantees that our clients are aligned with the latest HSE guidelines and industry best practices.
  3. Customer-Centric Approach: We’re not just service providers; we’re your partners in water safety. By actively listening to your concerns and needs, we leverage our extensive experience to offer tailored solutions for the common water-related challenges faced in buildings.
  4. Efficient Scheduling: Our dedicated office team collaborates with clients to ensure service appointments are scheduled with minimal disruption to your operations and end users.
  5. ISO9001 BSI Accreditation: Our commitment to quality is unwavering. Dantek proudly holds an ISO9001 BSI accreditation, reinforcing our dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards.
  6. Expert Technicians: Our field-based technicians undergo a rigorous 11-part training program, developed in-house over the last 20 years, ensuring that the professionals handling your water systems are highly skilled and knowledgeable.
  7. Elegant Electronic Logbook: Managing multiple-site contracts can be complex. That’s why we’ve developed a user-friendly, web-based electronic logbook that offers real-time reports of non-compliance, enhancing our ability to efficiently manage large multi-site contracts while ensuring affordability.

Dantek Services for Retail

At Dantek, we specialize in providing water hygiene services with a focus on Legionella control. Our comprehensive range of retail services includes:

  1. Tailored Legionella Risk Assessments: Our wealth of experience makes us experts in multi-site Legionella risk assessments. We provide detailed asset registers, AutoCAD drawings, system condition evaluations, and actionable recommendations for compliance. Don’t forget we also offer an L8 lite version which is specifically designed for sites without significant plant items like calorifiers and tanks, which are commonly found in larger establishments. This streamlined assessment is particularly valuable for retailers with mains-fed systems.
  2. Water Hygiene Monitoring: Our highly trained technicians conduct regular temperature checks, tank inspections, and more, ensuring that your systems adhere to the highest standards.
  3. Microbiological Monitoring: We offer UKAS-accredited laboratory testing for biological monitoring programs, including Legionella testing and potable water testing. Our experts interpret results and provide actionable insights.
  4. Cleaning and Disinfection: Complying with HSE guidelines, our complete cleaning and disinfection packages guarantee your systems are clean and safe. We utilize site-specific methods, dedicated professionals, and state-of-the-art resources.
  5. Showerhead Cleaning and Disinfection: Our experienced team provides efficient and thorough cleaning and descaling services for showerheads.

Additional services include chlorine dioxide maintenance, softener servicing, calorifier inspections, closed-system water treatment, and much more.

In the dynamic world of retail, where every customer interaction matters, Dantek offers a crucial layer of support through its expert water hygiene and treatment services. Our commitment to compliance, customer satisfaction, and innovative technology positions us as a valuable partner in creating a safer working environment.

This Christmas season, let Dantek be your contractor in ensuring that every aspect of your retail business, including water hygiene, is in top-notch condition. With a dedicated team, a track record of excellence, and a user-friendly electronic logbook, we’re transforming how the retail industry manages water systems.
Learn more about our services and how we can help your business thrive by visiting our website at www.dantek.co.uk, sending us an email at sales@dantek.co.uk, or giving us a call at 01454 417 920.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with joy and success!

Annual Maintenance and Disinfection of Base Exchange Water Softeners: Ensuring Legionella Control and Efficient Operation

Base exchange water softeners: Water softeners play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of hot and cold-water systems, ensuring both efficiency and safety. The HSG 274 guidance document for the control of legionella bacteria emphasizes the significance of regular maintenance and disinfection of Base exchange water softeners. In this blog, we delve into the importance of annual servicing, the comprehensive checks conducted, and how these actions contribute to efficient and reliable operation.

Why Annual Maintenance Matters – Base exchange water softeners

The HSG 274 guidelines provide a robust framework for mitigating the risks linked to legionella bacteria. According to these guidelines, it is recommended that Base exchange water softeners receive annual servicing and disinfection. This regular maintenance not only helps in preventing the spread of legionella but also prolongs the lifespan of the softener system, guaranteeing its ongoing effectiveness, all while reducing operational costs through optimal salt and water utilization.

The Annual Service for Base Exchange Water Softeners: A Detailed Overview

Many companies still rely on Chlorine, which can damage the resin, reduce its capacity, and ultimately shorten its lifespan. What sets Dantek apart from competitors is our commitment to a comprehensive review of the commissioning settings, cross-referencing them with first principle calculations for factors like salt usage and resin capacity. We also quantitatively measure water hardness, ensuring that each vessel produces water with a hardness level below 5ppm, a more stringent standard compared to others who typically test down to 10 or 20ppm

  • During the annual softener service, our specialized water softener team conducts a meticulous inspection and maintenance process, consisting of the following key steps:
  • Resin Bed Disinfection: We disinfect the resin beds in both columns using a resin-safe disinfectant, PAA5. This critical step ensures the elimination of harmful bacteria, enhancing the safety of your water supply.
  • Visual Inspection and Leak Check: Our technicians carefully examine the system for any visible leaks from the valve head and vessels. Identifying and addressing leaks promptly not only prevents water wastage but also helps avoid potential damage
  • Salt Levels and Condition: We check the salt levels and condition to ensure proper regeneration and optimal softening efficiency.
  • Operational Function Tests: Various operational functions, including the backwash function, injector clearance, brine draw, rapid rinse cycle, and brine valve operation, undergo rigorous testing to ensure smooth operation.
  • Brine System Inspection: As part of our Dantek Service, we remove, clean, and inspect components like the brine assembly, venturi valve, brine line flow control, and brine tank foot valve. This thorough inspection is vital to ensure that the softener functions correctly until the next annual service.
  • Base exchange water softeners Confirmation: We assess water hardness to verify the softener’s effectiveness in providing consistently softened water.
  • Electrical Control Systems: We review the operation of electrical control systems to ensure seamless automation and control.
  • Control Settings and Fault Identification: Control settings are meticulously recorded and adjusted if necessary. Any system faults are identified and reported to the customer, along with estimated costs for any required repairs.

At Dantek, our annual softener service goes beyond routine maintenance, providing you with the assurance that your water softening system will operate efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively, while safeguarding the quality and safety of your water supply.

Complete Assurance and Report

During the service visit, our highly skilled technicians diligently record all relevant data and promptly report any instances of non-compliance. This meticulous documentation guarantees that your water softener system operates at peak efficiency, remains cost-effective, and prioritizes safety and reliability. With this approach, you can rest assured that your systems are shielded from the harmful impacts of hard water, ensuring their long-term performance and effectiveness.

Call Us to Book Your Water Softener Service Today!

At Dantek, we understand the importance of maintaining a safe and efficient water supply within your commercial environment. Our specialized water softener team is here to provide you with top-notch service that aligns with the HSG 274 guidelines for legionella control. Don’t wait until issues arise – take proactive steps to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your base exchange water softeners.

Booking your annual Base exchange water softeners service is easy. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to assist you in scheduling a convenient appointment that suits your business needs. Whether you’re seeking routine maintenance, disinfection, or comprehensive checks, our team is equipped to provide the best care your water softener system deserves.

By choosing Dantek for your water softener servicing needs, you’re choosing reliability, expertise, and a commitment to water system safety. Give us a call today to secure your appointment and take a proactive step toward maintaining a healthier, more efficient water supply for your business.

Contact us at 01454 417 920 or sales@dantek.co.uk to schedule your water softener service now! #Baseexchangewatersofteners

Back To Top