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humidifi ers and central air condition systems. More likely to develop in larger and more complex plumbing and heating systems, it is environments such as commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, and care homes which are generally at greater risk of harbouring harmful bacteria. To ensure buildings remain safe, property owners and managers should regularly carry out risk assessments, monitor systems and record changes to systems and pipework. In environments where occupants are at a greater risk of diseases such as Legionnaires, such as care homes, these measures should be utilised more frequently. Ongoing maintenance and checks are, however, just part of the solution to keeping water systems safe and free of bacteria. To specify systems which prioritise user safety
by minimising the potential for bacteria such as Legionella to spread, building in preventative measures can keep systems clean and safe, ensuring conditions are never optimum for the bacteria to breed.
Minimising risk with anti-legionella valves
While several pieces of guidance exist around the prevention of legionella, including The Approved Code of Practice, there are some practical steps which can be taken to minimise the chances of a Legionnaires’ outbreak. Central to this is avoiding the conditions – such as stagnation – which support
the growth of the bacteria. Designed specifi cally to maintain water
circulation and prevent stagnation, anti-legionella valves can be installed through a standard single
Hospitals and healthcare
connection to an expansion vessel. By diverting a portion of the fl ow into the vessel and continuously renewing the water content, the valve makes it diffi cult for legionella bacteria to breed. WRAS-certifi ed, Reliance Valves’ range of Anti-
legionella Valves provides an attractive alternative to installing a fl ow through expansion vessel, which can be bulky and cause logistical problems – particularly in retrofi t projects. The valves can be used on any standard vessel with a 3/4” connection or connections up to 11/4” and feature a rotatable tee-piece and an integral isolating valve. Facilitating quick, easy, and fl exible installation, the valves can actively help to prevent the growth of legionella in a variety of settings, from domestic premises and offi ce buildings through to gyms, schools and healthcare settings. Installing preventative solutions within water
systems that could be prone to harbouring harmful bacteria can greatly reduce the risk of Legionella contamination, reducing – or even preventing – sporadic outbreaks. While these preventative solutions provide specifi ers a way to minimise the risk of stagnating water and, subsequently, legionella, they should always be used alongside proper vigilance and regular checks. Whether specifi ed for the creation of a brand-
new system, or for retrofi t projects where a risk of stagnant water has been identifi ed through a risk assessment, anti-legionella valves enable building owners, managers, and occupants to benefi t from clean water systems.
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