#WaterQualityMaintenance Archives

Calorifier Inspection: Your Key to Compliance and Safety

6 November 2023
Legionella control, Mechanical services, Water Treatment

Is your business taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its water systems and comply with regulations? If not, it’s time to consider Dantek’s complete calorifier inspection services. We understand the importance of maintaining a clean and safe water supply, and our expert team is here to help you achieve just that.

The Importance of Calorifier Inspections

Calorifiers play a crucial role in providing hot water for various commercial applications. However, over time, these systems can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, including Legionella. To combat this risk and maintain a healthy environment, regular inspections and cleaning are essential.

According to HSG274 Table 2.1, annual internal inspections of calorifiers are necessary, involving the removal of inspection hatches or the use of a boroscope. Cleaning is performed by draining the vessel, and the inspection frequency can be adjusted based on findings. In some cases, acid descaling may also be required to address the buildup of calcium scale. Dantek ensures a thorough inspection process, meticulously checking for debris, temperature, and clarity while adhering to industry guidelines.

Compliance with Regulations

By choosing Dantek for your calorifier inspections, you’re not only ensuring the safety of your staff and customers but also complying with key regulations. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), COSHH regulations, and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations emphasize the importance of effective Legionella management. Our services align with the guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive, ACoP L8, and HSg274, ensuring that your systems remain clean and free from debris.

What We Offer

When you opt for Dantek’s calorifier inspection services, you receive a comprehensive package designed to cover all your needs. Our service includes:

Full Drain Down: We start by thoroughly draining each system, preparing it for inspection and cleaning.
Visual Inspection: Our experts meticulously examine the internal components of the calorifier, identifying any potential issues.
Thorough Cleaning: We clean the vessel, removing any debris and ensuring optimal performance.
Disinfection: To eliminate bacteria and ensure a hygienic system, we conduct a thorough spray disinfection.
Re-Sealing: After inspection and cleaning, we re-seal the calorifier to ensure its watertight integrity, including replacing seals and gaskets as needed.
Real-Time Monitoring: Our electronic system allows you to access real-time updates on completed works and recommendations.
Certification: You’ll receive a certification confirming that the inspection and cleaning have been successfully carried out.

Partner with Dantek for Peace of Mind

At Dantek, we take pride in offering comprehensive and reliable calorifier inspection services. Our experienced team follows meticulous procedures to ensure your systems are safe, compliant, and ready to deliver clean hot water.

Note: All our services are performed in accordance with our current method statements, specifically designed to ensure compliance and safety.

Ready to ensure the safety and compliance of your business’s water systems? Get in touch with us today to schedule your comprehensive calorifier inspection. Our expert team is here to assist you every step of the way.

Contact Information:

Phone: 01454 417 920

Email:sales@dantek.co.uk

Flushing of Infrequently Used Outlets

3 August 2023
Legionella control

Flushing of Infrequently Used Outlets: Understanding the importance of regularly flushing infrequently used outlets to maintain water quality and minimize Legionella growth.

Welcome to our blog dedicated to responsible persons in the sports industry who are entrusted with ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors and staff within sports facilities. In this blog, we will shed light on a crucial aspect of facility management regarding Legionella control. Specifically, we will emphasize the importance of regularly flushing infrequently used outlets to maintain water quality and minimize the risk of Legionella growth.

Let’s explore this essential practice and its significance in safeguarding the health of all individuals who utilize sports facilities.

Understanding Legionella and Its Risks: Protecting Water Safety in Sports Facilities

Legionella bacteria can pose a significant health risk when present in water sources, including the plumbing systems of sports facilities. These bacteria thrive in warm water environments and can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. As responsible persons and staff members in the sports industry, it is crucial to prioritize Legionella control to prevent outbreaks and protect the health and safety of everyone using sports facilities.

The Role of Flushing Infrequently Used Outlets:

One key aspect of Legionella control is understanding the importance of regularly flushing infrequently used outlet. These outlets, such as showers, irrigation systems during low usage, drench shower, and eye wash stations, often experience stagnant water conditions that create a favorable environment for bacterial growth. Flushing these outlets involves running water through them for several minutes to remove stagnant water, sediment, and any potential Legionella bacteria that may have accumulated. An infrequently used outlet is a outlet that is not used for a period equal to or greater than seven days. If legionella is suspected an increase of flushing will be required.

Why Regular Flushing Matters:

Maintaining water quality and minimizing Legionella growth are two critical reasons why regular flushing of infrequently used outlets is essential in sports facilities.
Water Quality Maintenance: Flushing infrequently used outlets helps maintain the overall water quality within the facility. By removing accumulated sediment, biofilm, and other contaminants, you ensure a fresh supply of water with optimal quality for visitors and staff.
Minimizing Legionella Risk: Stagnant water provides an ideal breeding ground for Legionella bacteria. Regularly flushing infrequently used outlets disrupts these conditions and significantly reduces the risk of Legionella colonization in the facility’s plumbing system.

Effective Flushing Protocol:

To ensure an effective Legionella control strategy, it is crucial to conduct a legionella risk assessment to identify infrequently used outlets within your sports facility. However, it’s important to recognize that footfall patterns can change over time. Therefore, regular internal surveys should be conducted to identify outlets that are used less frequently, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and areas with lower foot traffic. By prioritizing these outlets during the flushing process and updating your flushing records accordingly, you can effectively target areas that are more susceptible to Legionella growth.

Establishing a Flushing Schedule:

Creating a regular flushing schedule for all identified outlets is a crucial step. Refer to HSG24 Part 2 guidelines (link to downloadable pdf at the end of this blog) and consider factors such as facility usage, occupancy rates, and water temperature when determining the frequency of flushing. Document the schedule and communicate it to the staff members responsible for flushing. Regularly review and update the schedule to accommodate any changes in facility usage.

Ensuring Adequate Flushing Duration:

During the flushing process, it is essential to run water through the infrequently used outlets for an adequate duration. Weekly flushing for several minutes per outlet should generally suffice. This duration allows for the removal of stagnant water and any potential Legionella bacteria. Ensure that staff members responsible for flushing are aware of the proper duration and follow it consistently.
Ensure that the running of water from outlets does not create an unnecessary amount of aerosol. If legionella is suspected or present submerse showers into a bucket of water or conceal them in a bag (Snipping the corner the allow water flow). If you require any advice regarding flushing infrequently used outlets with suspected or present legionella, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Dantek 01454 417 920

Monitoring and Documentation:

Maintain detailed records of all flushing activities, including the dates, outlets flushed, and the duration of flushing. Regularly review and monitor these records to ensure compliance with the established protocol and track the effectiveness of your Legionella control measures. By documenting any changes or additions to infrequently used outlets and updating the flushing records accordingly, you can keep your Legionella control measures up to date and in line with the current usage patterns of your sports facility.
At Dantek, we believe in providing value and support to our customers in the sports industry. That’s why we are pleased to offer our cutting-edge electronic logging system, completely free of charge to all our contracted customers. Our logbook allows you to record detailed reports of all flushing activities. You can easily track the dates of flushing, identify outlets that are currently listed as infrequently used, and set specific durations and frequencies for flushing. This ensures that your flushing protocol is properly documented, and you can keep a close eye on the maintenance of water quality within your facility. If you would like to book a free demo and see how our log book can help you, please call 01454 417 920 or e mail sales@dantek.co.uk

Remember, if you need assistance or further guidance regarding Legionella control in your sports facility, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dantek. Our team is available to help, email sales@dantek.co.uk or call 01454 417 920

For further guidance please refer to https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg274part2.pdf