Pipework must be tough and resilient

With combating the growth and spread of Legionella in healthcare facilities’ plumbing systems an ever-present issue for healthcare estates teams, Tim Wootton, who is technical services manager for leading plastic pipe system supplier, Wavin, examines some of the demands placed on pipework when used in recirculating plumbing systems. He highlights the importance of specifying a sufficiently robust pipe product able to accommodate, for instance, thermal disinfection at 70˚C, alongside additional chemical disinfection methods used to keep the microorganism under control.

The problem of Legionella in healthcare facilities, and water systems in particular, is a perennial challenge for facilities professionals to address. Recent Health and Safety Executive guidance has expanded and consolidated best practice on maintaining water hygiene, and provides greater detail on the various solutions which have been proven to offer benefits. One of these is continuously operated recirculating systems, which not only provide user amenity, but can also reduce the growth and spread of Legionella. However, careful consideration of system specification is paramount in order to ensure that a system is up to the job. 

The updated Health & Safety Executive guidance on Legionella control in hot and cold water systems which was issued in 2014, namely HSG 274 Part 2, significantly increased the detail provided to specifiers to enable them to ensure that systems minimise the risks. However they also challenged healthcare providers to update their facilities in order to meet best practice, and not only protect vulnerable patients, but also comply with the law.