EPLUS

ENVIRONENT PLUS QUARTERLY NEWS LETTER News, reviews, info, and the inside track on legionella issues.

Environment Plus (UK) Ltd

www.eplus.uk.com Issue: 3 Spring 2006

Contents: Legionella Outbreaks

Product Profile

Simon’s Solutions

Staff Profile

NEW Spa Pool Guidance

New guidance document launched for management of spa pools

The HSE and Health Protection Agency launched a new guidance docu-ment for manage-ment of spa pools on the 15th of March at the Guildhall in the City of London. Spa pools (also known as hot tubs, whirlpool spa and whirlpools and also commonly called

Jacuzzi™ though this is the name of the particular brand) can offer a pleasant relaxing environment for a few people to sit in to-gether and enjoy the effects of the air and water jets. As the water is not replaced after each use but disinfected and re-circulated these pools can be challenging to manage because of several factors: The water temperature is usu-ally between 38-42°C perfect for potential pathogenic bacte-ria to proliferate. There is a high bather to water volume. Frequent poor design and installation with poor access to all parts of the system for cleaning and disinfection. Bather habits – bathers tend not to follow advice and shower before using a spa pool, the water and air jets provide a scrubbing effect removing skin , cosmet-ics, body oils, which combined with bodily fluids etc provide a high organic load mak-ing maintenance of both pH range and an effective disinfectant residual difficult. These pools pose a high risk if they are not managed properly and can be the cause of infections including the poten-tially fatal Legionnaires’ disease which has even been caused when the spa pools are not used by bathers but just on display for

guidance will normally ensure compliance with the law. Part 1 details the legal duties of owners, manag-ers, designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and in-stallers and infectious agents in spa pools encompassing: treat-ment programmes; monitoring; cleaning and disinfection; design and construction; whirlpool baths and hiring and other com-mercial uses. It also includes checklists to assist with auditing risk assessments; a trouble shooting guide; poolside water testing procedures; a list of

sources of information and a comprehen-sive index. The Guidance can be downloaded from the Health Protection Agency website but can also be purchased as a spiral bound A5 format book designed to be particularly convenient for regular use as a practical reference book in the field or at the pool-side from the Health Protection Agency. WMSoc goes international“LEGIONELLA 30 YEARS ON” For those of you serious about the control of Legionella, this is for you. To be held on 12th and 13th of June 2006 at the Na-tional Motorcycle Museum in South Bir-mingham. A full programme of speakers has been set up with speakers from Australia, the USA, Europe and the UK. The aim of the conference is to look at the outbreaks during the last 30 years, since the first recorded incidence of legionella, and as-sess how they have influenced legislation in a spectrum of countries; following this consideration will be given to the lessons to be learned, with indication of current research and projected developments. The aim of the conference is to take a fresh approach to the subject in this 30th anniversary year. For further information follow the link on our website.

sales purposes. Several outbreaks of Legion-naires’ disease with fatalities have been attributed to spa pools both in the UK and world-wide; an outbreak in 1984, as-sociated with a spa pool in a hotel in Saltdene, Sussex, caused 23 cases of Legion-naires’ disease. In the Nether-lands spa pools on display at a flower show were the source of one of the world’s largest out-breaks of Legionnaires’ disease in 1999. The pools had only been installed four days prior to the start of the show and caused 188 (133

laboratory confirmed) cases and 21 deaths. Epidemiological evidence showed that people just pausing at the spa pools had an increased chance of developing the disease. Again, in 1999 an outbreak of Legion-naires’ disease due to a demon-stration of hot tubs at a Belgian fair. Stand employees, techni-cal staff and visitors were amongst the 93 cases and 5 deaths. An outbreak in Lochgoillhead,

Scotland caused an outbreak of the milder form of legionellosis, 170 people including children were infected with acute Pontiac fever. Whirlpool baths are similar to spa pools but are normally only used by one or two people at a time, are often found in bath-rooms and are drained after each use but they are still a potential source of infection if not looked after properly. As a recognised source of Legionnaires’ disease these pools are subject to health and safety laws requiring managers, de-signers, manufacturers and installers to ensure the pools remain safe. This guidance will be of use to all who have anything to do with spa pools from the designer to the user. Following this

Product Profile

Simon’s Solutions

Simon’s Solutions

TMV2/3 APPROVAL SCOPE

The Thermostatic mixing valve ap-proval administered by BuildCert provides an independent third party certification for thermostatic mixing valves against the requirements of the NHS Estates Model Engineering Specification D 08 (TMV 3 approval), and the requirements of BS EN 1111 and 1287 (TMV 2 approval). Both documents specify exacting requirements that a thermostatic valve must comply with. The NHS Estates document D 08 is primarily for Thermostatic Mixing Valves installed within healthcare properties that supply hot water to a point of use that is used by less able members of the NHS facility. Because of the exacting perform-ance requirements of the document D 08 and the need to maintain and monitor the performance of the Thermostatic Mixing Valves on a regular basis, TMV3 ap-proved valves are considered to provide a higher level of protection against scald-ing. For people who are less able and therefore not able to react quickly to a change in the water temperature the in-stallation of TMV3 approved valves has resulted in a decline in the number of re-ported scalding incidents. Within the domestic market there is a simi-lar risk to all members of a household from scalding especially for the younger and older residents. Within the last two years this issue has been raised by a number of organisations including the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) and Social housing groups. Because of these concerns recommendations will be in-cluded within the requirements for social housing projects that hot water must be thermostatically controlled. To ensure that suitable valves are available BuildCert has developed a TMV 2 approval that uses BS EN 1111 and 1287 to set the minimum performance levels of the valves. Peripheral re-quirements for identification and sup-porting documentation (this detail is included within D 08 but not in BS EN 1111 or 1287) have been developed for the TMV2 approval based upon the requirements of the TMV3. Both approval Schemes and the re-quirements of the approval have been fully supported and influenced by NHS Estates

Thermostatic Mixing Valves TMV 3 (Type 3)

Type 3 Thermostatic Mixing Valves are suitable for use when the hot and cold water supplies to the valves are within the limits specified in Table 2 below for each operating range and where the mixed water temperature is set during commissioning at the appropriate tem-perature for i ts intended use (designation) see Table 3 below). Only thermostatic mixing valves with no user-accessible adjustment of the mixed water temperature should be used where more than one outlet may

discharge simultaneously when operated by more than one user at the same time. Type 3 Thermostatic mixing valves having user-accessible adjustment may not be used for supplying two different maximum mixed water temperatures, e.g. Shower/Bath Mixers unless the movement of the diverter mechanism or some other device will automatically adjust the temperature to the maximum mixed water temperature allowed for that mixed water outlet. The maximum nominal size of mixing valves covered by this standard is DN25. Conditions for Normal Use

Product ProfileETI 2003 Temperature Monitoring Kit

To comply with monitoring instructions in, The con-trol of Legionella bacteria in water systems Ap-proved Code of Practice & Guidance (L8).

Kit comprises of : 1x ETI2003 Monitoring Unit 1x Penetration Probe 1x Hard Surface Probe 1x Pack of 70 Probe Wipes 1x Manufacturers Calibration Certifi-cate 1x Spare Battery 1x Foam Lined Hard Carry Case

and manufacturers of Thermostatic Mixing Valves and their trade association TMVA.

Types of valves Recommended maximum mixed water outlet temperatures TMV2/3

The BuildCert/TMV Scheme recommends the maximum mixed hot water tempera-tures for safe use for the following installa-tions: -

Thermostatic Mixing Valves TMV 2 (Type 2)

The TMV2 approval confirms that the Type 2 valve complies to BS EN 1111 and or 1287 and that the manufacturer and distributor have in place a suitable quality control system. Due to demand from industry and housing sectors such as CAPT the requirement to install a TMV2 approved thermostatic mixing valves will be recommended within the Housing Associations guidance docu-ment. This document requires that all social housing be fitted with thermostatic mixing valves to reduce the incidents of scalding. Type 2 Thermostatic Mixing Valves are suitable for use when the hot and cold water supplies to the valves are within the limits specified in Table 1 and where the mixed water temperature is set during commissioning at the appropriate tem-perature for its intended use, (see recom-mendations above). Conditions for Normal Use

Tel: 0845 24 14 500 tony@eplus.uk.com

Tel: 07771 560980 simon@eplus.uk.com

Type 1 a mechanical mixing valve with maximum tem-perature stop (including single lever taps).

Type 2

a thermostatic mixing valve of lesser perform-ance to D 08 which conform to EN 1111’s and 1287 (originally BS 1415 Part 2). These can have a maximum temperature stop which is excluded by the requirements of D 08.

Type 3 a thermostatic mixing valve with enhanced thermal performance complying with NHS Es-tates requirements.

44o C for Bath fill (46o C for assisted bathing).

41o C For shower applications.

41o C For bath applications.

38o C For bidet applications

High Pressure BS EN 1111

Low Pressure BS EN 1287

Maximum Static Pressure – Bar 10 10

Flow Pressure, Hot & Cold - Bar 0.5 to 5 0.1 to 1

Hot Supply Tem-perature - °C 55 to 65 55 to 65

Cold Supply Tem-perature - °C < 25o <25 o

High Pressure D 08

Low Pressure D 08

Maximum Static Pressure – Bar 10 10

Flow Pressure, Hot & Cold - Bar 1 to 5 0.2 to 1

Hot Supply Tem-perature - °C 52 to 65 52 to 65

Cold Supply Tem-perature - °C 5 to 20 5 to 20

Staff ProfileSimon Farley

Environment Plus Service Chemist Career History Environment Plus (UK) Ltd (May 2005 – present) Simon joined as a Senior Service Chemist and is a specialist in the following:- Closed system analysis of Chilled, Heat-ing and Condense systems, Steam Boiler Analysis, Domestic Water Monitoring, Risk Assessments on Domestic & Evaporative systems, Cooling Tower Analysis, Survey-ing new contracts, Customer training su-pervising/ monitoring engineers for tem-perature control, cooling towers and evaporative systems. Recently carried out the following:

Company Training Legionella Control (28/04/2005)

City & Guilds in all aspects of Le-gionella Control (May 2005)

Water Technology Ltd. Powke Lane, Blackheath, Birmingham. (1989 – 2005) Simon was a Chemical Cleaning Engi-neer. His duties were carrying out flush-ing and chemical dosing on closed sys-tems. He then moved onto Chemical Cleaning Supervisor and Surveyor, in charge of up to ten men on large contracts in London. Approximately six years ago he pro-gressed to be a Service Chemist.

Plenty Group Ltd. Newbury, Berks (1975 – 1989) Completed a four apprenticeship in engi-neering and gained his City & Guilds. After becoming a skilled fitter he went on to pipe fitting and welding where we con-structed large skid units for the oil and gas industry. Occasional offshore or dockside work was required, in charge of a few men.

consideration.” Simon would like to thank the following sponsors for giving so generously. JRC Mechanical Services Ltd Covac Lining Technology Bristol Street Motors All Sorts Engineering Williams Electrical Services

Planned Maintenance Engineering Ltd Murch and Baker Engineering Roger Hoey of Dean and Dyball

Devon Lifting Services Carter and Co The Stock Answer A. J. Knapton FCA New Starter

Environment Plus would like to wel-come Anita Hath-erway who has started with us as an Apprentice Ad-ministrator. Anita has joined the planning team ar-ranging bookings for Environment Plus Engineers and the administration required by the operations team.

Staff News

Environment Plus Donate to Charity Simon French, Managing Director of Envi-ronment Plus (UK) Ltd., a company that controls Legionella, experienced the kind-ness, dedication and caring that Rowcroft Hospice, Avenue Road, Torquay gave to him and his mother when she was in care at Rowcroft with cancer prior to her passing away October 1996. Simon says “I have never forgotten how profes-sional and dedicated the staff of Row-croft were in those last mo-ments of my mother’s life”. It was this in mind that Simon decided to make more of Environment Plus (UK) Ltd staff’s Christmas function by turning it into a charitable event to raise funds for the Rowcroft Hospice. A race night at the British Le-gion in King-steignton was arranged and our suppliers and clients were invited to spon-sor the event. The reaction from our clients and suppliers was extremely positive with offers of spon-sorship for individual races. A bar for the night was supplied by Environment Plus (UK) Ltd and the food was supplied by the management. A memorable/enjoyable night was had by all that attended. All those present donated their hard earned cash to the night and a total of £850.00 was raised. Environment Plus (UK) Ltd topped up this figure to £1,000.00 and presented the cheque on behalf of Environment Plus (UK) Ltd and the events sponsors on the 7th March 2006. The cheque was handed over to Hannah Simmons, the Community Fund-raiser for Rowcroft, by Adam French, En-vironment Plus (UK) Ltd’s Operations Manager. Hannah Simmons commented “We are so happy to receive this donation and thank Environment Plus for their kindness and

Staff Profile

Staff News

Legionella News

What do you use water for? A recent incident con-nected to a construction site should serve as a re-minder to all those who carry out risk assessments to ensure that they have asked the vital question: What do you use water for? Whether it is a nursing home (would you know about the gardener’s mist-ing device in the green-house for example?) or a large construc-tion site it is easy to miss a potential source unless you ask the relevant ques-tions. In this instance a large concrete batching plant was implicated in a case of Legion-naire’s disease in a worker. There was no risk assessment for this plant although site-wide risk assessments were in place for the hot and cold water systems in vari-ous blocks and the new cooling towers. The untreated water was heated in a large storage tank and heated by an adjacent boiler. To compound the problem indus-trial action had meant that the system was unused for a few days, the warm stored water provided an ideal place for Le-gionella to grow. High levels of Legionella in water do not necessarily pose a risk unless there is a means of dissemination, unfortunately in this case a highly effective means of dis-semination was connected in to this warm water source in the form of a powered jet washer which was used by a worker who subsequently became ill with Legion-naires’ disease. The washer was used to hose down and remove concrete from the surrounding area, the lorries used for con-crete distribution and the batching plant. On testing, the water from the storage tank, associated pipe-work and jet washer had high levels (>10 Cfu /L) of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. Further typing showed that the environmental and the patient strains were in distinguishable. The workers on this site believed that other concrete batching sites also used water in the same way to warm the aggre-gate so it is important that risk assess-ments and appropriate controls are put in place and that workers are made aware of the risks of Legionella and the controls needed to prevent further cases. Other News

Possible poisoned water/Alzheimer’s link In July 1988 water supplies to 20,000 peo-ple in the Camelford area of North Corn-wall were contaminated when 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate were poured into

In a previous issue, when reporting the proposal by the Government to make such devices compulsory, serious doubts were expressed, pointing out the danger of the devices malfunctioning. Noxious Norfolk ice cubes Statistics released in September showed that more than half of the ice served, or made in machines, in the county’s public houses fell below acceptable standards. Many of the ice cubes carried faecal de-posits and high E.coli count. This is remi-niscent of the report some time ago that analysed the E.coli count in bowls of bar peanuts and crisps. Coliform bacteria, organisms that live in the guts of humans and animals, are often not only benign but useful. Others for example, the pathogenic E.coli, including E.coli 0157 are disease bearing. The stan-dard E.coli that exists in any one area is different from that of another. People travel and acquire E.coli from those who live only a moderate distance away, while their immune system is adapting to the different strains of E.coli they suffer from travellers diarrhoea. This suggests that ice cubes and bowls of peanuts and crisps may be safer in your local pub than in one a relatively short distance away. Contaminated bottled water Two bottles of Volvic were found to be contaminated with low levels of naphtha-lene, a chemical used to make mothballs, dyes and resins, which resulted in the water having an unpleasant taste and smell. Danone, the producer of Volvic, said that it did not pose a health risk. An investigation was launched after Lauri Pastrone of North London reported the foul tasting water. Danone said that the contamination could not have occurred during the bottling process in France nor during delivery. The company is of the opinion that the two bottles must have been stored alongside chemicals which seeped through the plastic. A company spokesman said: “If you store water in an area where there are strong-smelling chemicals and a spillage takes place then it will penetrate the plastic of the bottle”. Another minus for bottled water. Airborne bacteria The US Environmental Protection Agency tested drinking water in 327 planes at 19 airports and found dangerous levels of coliform bacteria in 15% of them. Airlines have now agreed to disinfect water sup-plies and monitor quality.

the wrong tank. In December 2003 West Somerset Coroner, Mi-chael Rose, released the results of a post mortem examination of a 59 year old woman who was living in Camelford at the time of the incident. He asked leading neuropathologist, Professor Margaret Esiri, to examine the woman’s brain and spinal cord fol-lowing her death in Mus-grove Park Hospital,

Taunton in February 2004. She was found to have died from beta amyloid an-giopathy, a form of cerebrovascular dis-ease usually associated with Alzheimer's disease, which could be connected to an abnormally high level of aluminium in her brain. Mr Rose said: “Further research will be needed before the significance of the elevated brain aluminium concentra-tion in this case can be clarified”. Bottled water guzzling government Figures released in January showed that Government departments spend more than £100,000 per annum on bottled wa-ter, ignoring advice from water companies that it is far more prudent to drink tap wa-ter. Jonathan Bailey, director of customer relations for Severn Trent said: “It would cost 73 pence a year for a person to drink eight glasses of Severn Trent water each day, compared with £550 for the same amount of bottled water”. Of the Govern-ment department that revealed figures, the Home Office was the most extravagant, spending £46,665.34 on bottled water in 2004 to 2005; although the Treasury was unable to separate mineral water from the cost of teas, coffees and biscuits, which totalled £200,344. Death by thermostatic valve George Inwood, 68, was found dead in a bath containing water as hot as 98°C, in a staff bathroom at The Lodge, Stechford, Birmingham on 1 April last year. A para-medic had to kick open the door after staff reported hearing screams from the locked bathroom. Aidan Cotter, the Coroner, was told that a faulty thermostat meant that the water from the bath taps “was twice as hot as normal temperature” and that the problem had existed for at least five months before Mr Inwood’s death. Peter Colloby, consultant pathologist at Heartlands Hospital, told the court that the father of three suffered at least 20% burns to his body. Mr Inwood, who was receiving ‘respite care’ at the time of the incident had Park-inson’s disease and severe coronary ar-tery disease, which may have led to a sudden heart attack.

Legionella Outbreaks

Environment Plus (UK) Ltd Unit 5, Olympus Business Park, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 2SN Tel: 0845 24 14 500 Fax: 01626 369085