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Revisions to HTM 03 should see positive changes

Andrew Steel FIHEEM, reportedly one of the UK’s longest established specialist air hygiene and water treatment solutions providers, looks at some of the proposed changes in the guidance on ventilation systems in a revised version of HTM 03-01.

Andrew Steel FIHEEM, managing director at Airmec Essential Services, reportedly one of the UK’s longestestablished specialist air hygiene and water treatment solutions providers, looks at some of the proposed changes in the guidance on ventilation systems in a revised version of HTM 03-01, Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises. He says he sees these as ‘well-aligned with the real needs of NHS Trusts’ healthcare engineering and estates teams’. 

The introduction of a revised version of HTM 03-01, Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises, will no doubt be followed by a lot of commentary on the technical detail of amendments and improvements in design specifications, inspection processes, and air change rates etc. All these requirements will be documented in the standard itself when it is published, and hospital estates managers will in any case need to go through them in detail in order to match them to specific premises. None of the detailed proposals we have seen as we go to press seem to be contentious; they have real potential to plug gaps, and can reduce risks.

There is, however, likely to be an elephant or two in the room for some Trust healthcare estates managers. We imply no malpractice or complacency, but pragmatism often means that current practice focuses on ultraclean ventilation and other critical systems, but can exclude significant proportions of the ventilation infrastructure. The proposed updates appear to bring all ventilation under the HTM 03 umbrella. Meeting all the requirements of the revised standard will call for capital expenditure on new equipment, significant refurbishment, and, often, periods of shutdown while works are undertaken. Without a considerable new branch of the magic money tree, can the revisions have teeth? As we see it, the agility and professionalism of healthcare estates managers and engineers has been well proven by the COVID-19 challenges, so there is no doubt that the will to accommodate change exists. In this particular area, they may be helped by changes in the oversight of ventilation management. There are specific recommendations on membership of Ventilation Safety Groups (VSGs), building on the experience and success of Water Safety Groups. This approach will perhaps empower estates and facilities managers and streamline the changes implicit in managing the new requirements.

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Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

NAHFO National Conference 2024

Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

InstallerSHOW 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

Healthcare Estates 2024

Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

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