CARBON AND ENERGY REDUCTION
spread in different environments, which is key to reducing their spread, preventing outbreaks, and keeping the public safe. Technology is already available to help deal with this. Good hot water heaters, for example, will now incorporate antibacterial silver ion agents to prevent the growth of bacteria. Silver ions work by puncturing holes in bacterial membranes, and binding to essential cell components like DNA, which prevents basic reproductive functions from occurring. However, it should be noted that concentration of silver should not exceed the recommendations set out in HTM 04-01 guidance. Combining this technology with
Point-of-use electric water heaters can provide an efficient option in areas like washrooms or kitchens, as they only use energy when hot water is required.
project, now is a good time to consider using a bespoke, offsite prefabricated interface unit between the heat pump and cylinder or DGFWH technologies. This could integrate a specially sized plate heat exchanger (PHE), pumps and control panel, all designed bespoke to meet the specific project requirements. Each prefabricated module is typically designed using BIM tools and 3D computer- aided design (CAD) modelling. This enables revisions to be made collectively, while supporting best practice design, installation, operation, and maintenance.
Quality-controlled factory environment Once the design has been agreed, production takes place in a quality- controlled factory environment. Thanks to the use of specialist machinery, improved control procedures, and comprehensive end-of-line testing, the highest build quality can be achieved with offsite solutions. An additional benefit is that offsite fabrication has the potential to reduce waste, leading to a lower environmental impact. When production
is complete, the compact, wheeled interface unit is delivered to site for rapid connection, saving time, hassle, and space.
Point-of-use electric water heaters A further opportunity to reduce emissions from hot water in hospitals and GP surgeries is to use point-of-use water heaters to provide safe hot water. Point- of-use electric water heaters can provide an efficient option in areas like washrooms or kitchens, as they only use energy when hot water is required. Installing a point- of-use water heater that incorporates anti-Legionella functionality, water pasteurisation, and anti-tamper design, will ensure that water is adequately stored, cycled, and distributed. As hygiene-critical environments, it is vital that hospitals prevent bacterial build-up and cross-contamination. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently highlighted the work that it is doing to help hospitals prevent the spread of infections.9 Working with hospitals and academic partners, UKHSA is attempting to gain a better understanding of how infections
pasteurisation will inhibit cultures from developing. Clinically-focused equipment should also have anti-corrosion fonts to prevent contamination from chemical breakdown of metal parts. This helps keep the surfaces clean and hygienic, and reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Water quality Implementing a robust water treatment strategy should be a key part of the maintenance programme to ensure efficient operation of equipment, and help extend the lifetime of products. Water quality can differ across the UK. Selecting products with polycarbonate tanks, for example, will limit the amount of scale that builds up in a unit, while suitable water treatment will raise the quality of water supplied in a hospital. This is especially important for the majority of south, east, and central England, where water is hard to very hard. Water treatment is also identified as another effective method of bacteria control. This is a specialism in its own right, and we would advise consulting with specialist water treatment companies.
Maintenance Treating water is only one part of the process. Ongoing maintenance of the hot water system is also crucial to ensure that all the above criteria are continuously met. As prolonged disruption to a hospital’s water supply must be avoided, another
June 2023 Health Estate Journal 57
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