New guidelines for pre-commissioning cleaning of pipework systems have put engineers and contractors under pressure to seek professional advice at an early stage in the development of the systems to ensure they can be effectively flushed and cleaned.
Guardian Water Treatment says that following the latest guidelines is the first crucial step to maintaining the water quality for the lifetime of a building. Designed to help avoid water system breakdowns and contamination, the guidelines also include low energy 2-port controlled systems.
The standardised procedures were introduced in 1991 and subsequent revisions included fit-out procedures for multi-occupancy systems. The latest version provides vital detailed requirements for final sampling of systems on completion and onwards to practical completion.
The new requirements include:
· Increased design responsibility
· Increased monitoring of flushing water supplies
· Increased monitoring of filled systems prior to water treatment
· More detailed flushing procedure - particularly with regard to batching of floors
· Detailed procedures for sampling based on BS 8552
· Details of the number and locations for final samples to be taken based on system size and complexity
· A new section of monitoring systems from completion of water treatment to PC including two-weekly sampling. The number and location of samples, the parameters including NRB testing and the use of graphical interpretation of results.
The specified period of the testing procedure is a maximum of three months.
Steven Booth at Guardian Water Treatment said: 'Many of the seemingly onerous requirements in the new regulations can be met more easily if the right expertise is brought to bear as early as possible, preferably at the design stage. By working alongside design and engineering consultants it's possible for us to minimise future cost and disruption and risk to reputation where system breakdowns disable production and service for an organisation.'
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www.gwtltd.com
