What is water flushing?
Water flushing is a method undertaken to prevent the build-up of conditions favourable to the growth of Legionella and other bacteria within hot and cold water systems. It does this by:
Introducing fresh cold water containing residual disinfectant
Exposing pipework to temperatures at which Legionella bacteria is discouraged
Dislodging biofilm through the simple act of running water
A water flushing regime should be designed so that it allows for the whole dead-leg (section of stagnant water) to be removed.
The water should be purged long enough for circulating or freshwater to be drawn from the outlet - indicating that all stagnant water has been expelled.
Water Flushing Regime to reduce Legionella Growth.
· Water flushing needs to be conducted once a week for any low use water outlets. These consist of outlets within empty quarters/buildings or low use facilities that have water outlets within them.
· Water flushing takes a minimum of 5 minutes for cold and/or hot water outlets.
· Water outlets consist of anything that produces water – kitchen/bathroom/basin/garden taps, showers, hoses etc.
· Building Custodians are required to keep a record of what outlets have been flushed and when, to prove that flushing has been conducted.
Introducing fresh cold water containing residual disinfectant
Exposing pipework to temperatures at which Legionella bacteria is discouraged
Dislodging biofilm through the simple act of running water
A water flushing regime should be designed so that it allows for the whole dead-leg (section of stagnant water) to be removed.
The water should be purged long enough for circulating or freshwater to be drawn from the outlet - indicating that all stagnant water has been expelled.
Water Flushing Regime to reduce Legionella Growth.
· Water flushing needs to be conducted once a week for any low use water outlets. These consist of outlets within empty quarters/buildings or low use facilities that have water outlets within them.
· Water flushing takes a minimum of 5 minutes for cold and/or hot water outlets.
· Water outlets consist of anything that produces water – kitchen/bathroom/basin/garden taps, showers, hoses etc.
· Building Custodians are required to keep a record of what outlets have been flushed and when, to prove that flushing has been conducted.
Water Flushing record log.
The table below is an example flushing record log:
The table below is an example flushing record log:
Please click on the image to enlarge.
