GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE Right: Andrew Poplett


says: “Spot the mistake – when the ventilation installer fails to


understand the purpose of the access door.”


Far right: An example of ‘when other service


installers undo the good work of the ventilation installer’.


n Use sources of guidance associated with the safe and efficient operation of plant components.


n Apply the main requirements of operating theatre ventilation and other specialist ventilation systems, and understand their relevance to the health of patients and staff in accordance with HTM and HBN guidance.


n Manage and control works on specialist ventilation systems used in healthcare premises in accordance with the Authorised Person role, as defined in Department of Health and Social Care guidance.


n Measure airflow and humidity in ducts and at air terminal devices, using a variety of instruments to maintain and operate complex healthcare ventilation systems.


n Demonstrate proportional balancing of a simple ventilation system, and state the process for balancing a complex ventilation system.


n Identify essential components of an air-conditioning system typically used in healthcare premises.


Core skills and knowledge essential for the AP(V) Among the core skills required to fulfil the AP(V) role are: n The ability to work with and support the IPC team. n The ability to ensure effective ownership of ventilation management for all uses.


n The ability to review the risk assessments. n The ability to ensure that the operational standards and procedures are kept under review, including risk assessments, verifications, and other associated documentation.


Andrew


Poplett Andrew Poplett AE(W), AE(V), IEng, MIHEEM, ACIBSE, AffIFE, is an experienced engineer with over 35 years’ experience in the healthcare building services engineering profession, with 18 of those having been spent in the NHS. He is now an independent advisor to NHS and private sector healthcare estates teams in his role as an Authorising Engineer for both specialist ventilation and water quality, and provides specialist support and advice on all aspects of estates and property management.


n The ability to agree and review remedial measures and actions, and ensure that an action plan is in place, with agreed deadlines, to ensure that any health risks pertaining to ventilation and patient safety are addressed.


n The ability to be responsible for training and communication on ventilation-related issues.


n The ability to ensure that all tasks indicated by the risk assessments and annual verifications have been allocated and accepted.


n The ability to determine the best use of available resources.


n The ability to oversee adequate supervision, training, and competency, of all staff.


n An understanding of the particular vulnerabilities of the at-risk population (an IPC speciality).


n The ability to ensure that new-builds, refurbishments, modifications, and equipment, are designed, installed, commissioned, and maintained, to the required standards (an Estates speciality).


n The ability to ensure that maintenance and monitoring procedures are in place (an Estates speciality).


As per the relevant HTM guidance, the potential AP(V) should be able to demonstrate – by training and assessment – a level of competence in the majority, if not all, of the above areas.


30 Health Estate Journal March 2025


Demonstrating knowledge and experience All AP(V)s must also be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of the following: n organisational governance arrangements in relation to ventilation and safety;


n familiarisation with local policies/procedures in relation to the management and provision of ventilation systems;


n information on prominent airborne pathogens and their consequences;


n the responsibilities of individuals to prevent the contamination of the ventilation systems, and assisting in ensuring that the control measures in place are effective;


n how the safety of ventilation systems can be maintained by good hygiene practices;


n general principles of ventilation system design; n inspection, maintenance, and cleaning, of plant, equipment, and materials;


n organisation-specific control measures; n the impact of getting it wrong; n the remit of annual performance verifications and validations for new system commissioning.


Conclusions The role of AP, regardless of the engineering discipline, carries complex, technical, and time-consuming responsibilities. Individuals appointed to these roles need to fully understand the remit and responsibilities involved, and ensure they are confident in their own competencies, and fully aware of the routes for escalation and support. The number of APs needed on, say, an acute hospital site,


to effectively carry out the role, differs widely, depending on the size and complexity of the site, and the associated engineering services. It is also essential that anyone undertaking the AP role has the time and capacity to fulfil the duties, and I would suggest that there should be a maximum number of AP roles that any individual can reasonably be expected to maintain. Based on the description and remit of the Authorised Person (Ventilation) I have outlined in this article, I believe it is an absolute requirement that those responsible for the management of the healthcare estate and the specific engineering services recognise the complexity and range of duties that all APs hold, and that they reflect that, if challenged, they can justify the level of accountability, resources, and levels of responsibility, which the AP role fulfils for their respective healthcare organisation. The postholder needs to be able to demonstrate:


n Their understanding of the role – through familiarisation with the system, and attendance at an appropriate professional course.


n Competency. n A level of experience, and n Evidence of knowledge and skills. I would also suggest that the employing healthcare organisation should be able to demonstrate that the individuals in an AP position have been given sufficient time, resources, and authority, to fulfil the role.


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