36
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Recommendations for the safe and
efficient flushing of plumbing: Part 1
By
IAPMO staff writer
As businesses welcome the return of workers and visitors, stagnant water represents
a risk that should be mitigated beforehand. This is the commencement of a two-part
series and should be read in conjunction.
GP Russ Chaney, IAPMO CEO
In the spirit of the sharing
of unique experiences
that shape the plumbing
industries in our respective
nations, the following
article looks at the risk
stagnant water poses to
businesses as they reopen
during the COVID-19
pandemic. Written by an
IAPMO staff writer, it is the
next in a regular series of
similar articles that will run
in Plumbing Africa. This is
the first in a two-part series.
As places of business and assembly that have been
shut down for many weeks begin to reopen, one
of the first things that facility managers, building
superintendents, maintenance crews, and business
owners should attend to is the safety of building
water systems. All water systems in buildings that
have been vacant or sparsely utilised for weeks or
months must, at a minimum, be flushed prior to being
put back into service such that the stagnant water is
safely discharged into the building sanitary system
and replaced with fresh utility water. The following tips
and recommendations will help with conducting the
flushing process in a safe and efficient manner:
Water stagnation: When water is not drawn through a
plumbing system or other building water system over an
extended period of time, the water becomes stagnant.
Stagnation supports the accelerated growth of many harmful
microorganisms, such as Legionella, that can cause great
harm to building occupants. Just as with the coronavirus,
those who are at the greatest risk of becoming ill from
such microorganisms are the elderly and those who are
immunocompromised.
Seek professional help: When working on building water
systems, unforeseen problems can present themselves,
resulting in severe water damage. Therefore, it is highly
recommended that the flushing process be performed by
registered plumbing professionals. For large and complex
buildings, consult a plumbing engineer or registered professional
familiar with the building water systems in order to determine a
detailed flushing plan for flushing all water systems.
What this document addresses: The paper provides
recommendations on how to safely and efficiently flush a
building’s plumbing system when reopening after closure
from the Covid-19 pandemic. It also provides tips to
minimise aerosol generation. Reducing aerosols during the
flushing process can help protect the workers doing the
flushing from microorganisms in the stagnant water and
reduce surface contamination from the flushing process.
This document does not address building water
system disinfection treatments: Many building water
systems will require disinfecting treatments in addition to
flushing. This is particularly important if any disruption of
supply pressure occurred or is suspected while the building
was shut down. Pressure disruptions can dislodge biofilms
and particulates, including lead, which can get trapped
in aerators and filters and reduce water quality and spike
lead levels. It is highly recommended that building owners
and facility managers contact their health departments,
and where called for, seek the services of water system
treatment professionals to determine whether and how to
best disinfect building water systems. Keep in mind that
there are cost and efficiency benefits to flush and disinfect
building water systems at the same time. Because many
thousands of buildings will likely need to reopen regionally
in a short period of time, it may be a good idea to contact
your health department and secure the services of a water
system treatment professional well in advance of reopening.
Flushing tips and recommendations
• Prior to starting: Read the recommendations
below completely before starting work. It is highly
recommended that the person overseeing the
flushing process contact the appropriate water utility
prior to beginning. It will be important to first verify
that fresh utility water is available in close proximity
to the building’s incoming water supply line. This is
especially important for buildings in large industrial
complexes where many buildings have been closed
or are operating at low occupancy levels. In addition,
check with the water utility regarding the chlorine
residual level that should be expected in fresh utility
water at your building.
• It is also recommended that the local health department
be contacted to discuss the building and the flushing
process, especially in large, complex buildings. if
available, utilise health department data sheets to
document the flushing process.
• Protect water system rehabilitation personnel:
Persons flushing building water systems should be
advised to take precautions and must be provided
with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
to protect against stagnant water aerosols, water
containing high chemical levels and the possibility
of scalding from hot water. Consult OSHA and local
health department guidance for the type of PPE that is
recommended for the type of building being worked on.
The use of NIOSH-approved N-95 type respirators is
recommended.
www.plumbingafrica.co.za @plumbingonline @plumbingonline @PlumbingAfricaOnline October 2020 Volume 26 I Number 08