An electronic logging system that, via engineer-generated, real-time reports, enables estates personnel to constantly monitor both the temperature and condition of water, and the efficiency and operation of water plant at multiple sites, which will also email them immediately should a problem arise, has been launched by Kent-based eLogger.
The HTM 04-01-compliant “eLogger” software was developed by director of Sevenoaks-based water hygiene consultancy eLogger Nick Parker largely to enable organisations with extensive water systems to guard against Legionella. The consultancy already provides water hygiene services to several NHS Trusts, and was convinced that many existing paper-based and electronic water logging systems were neither easy to use nor sufficiently efficient /comprehensive. Director Harry Homard explained: “One feature often missing was an active alert to immediately inform estates personnel about a problem such as water temperature rising above, or falling below, set parameters.” eLogger requires only standard Internet access and hand-held PDA devices on which engineers can record the results of, for instance, routine temperature checks. The data is then relayed back to the estate’s central management system. Harry Homard explained: “The estates manager then not only knows that the engineer has undertaken the check on time, and in the right location, but also has the results simply by logging on to their eLogger system. “Where eLogger really scores, however, is that, being set up to ensure full compliance both with HTM 04-01, and the L8 regulations on minimising Legionella risk, it will alert managers not only if a routine check is due, but also if, say, water temperature falls below a level that would risk Legionella spread. He added: “Even for large acute hospital, an eLogger system should cost just a few thousand pounds, whereas the manpower and time savings should be many times this.”
