The Importance of Water Safety in New Building Design Projects
In this article the construction safety specialists at Legionella Control International highlight the importance of water safety in new building design projects, with a clear focus on getting things right… first time.
The review looks at how legionella and general water safety problems can be eliminated from new construction projects at the design stage to improve long term occupant safety and reduce unnecessary costs associated with the rectification of poor or non-compliant water services installations post completion.
A version of this story dealing with water safety considerations in new building design projects appeared in Legionella Control International’s newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.
Eliminating water safety problems at the design stage
The phrase “good design” suggests the idea of creativity – making sure something looks and works at its best once finished. This could relate to the development of a new building or simply the re-design of one room. Yet the phrase takes on new meaning when it comes to building or engineering design projects and the incorporation of good, inherent water safety that’s in-built from the start.
During the design of a new building and its water services installations, water safety can often form a crucial part of the design aspect, yet it may not receive the attention it should, and this can lead to long-term problems, and increase safety risks to users of the new building. Any safety problems, once they’ve been built-in can be expensive to rectify and cause significant disruption during the remediation process.
Designing building water systems with safety in-mind
Let’s consider the topic of water safety for a moment. All water systems should be safe for use and fit for purpose… that should be a given. When it comes to commercial buildings such as offices, factories, hotels and hospitals, the water systems used in such buildings are often much larger and more complex than for small private dwellings. This size and complexity of the buildings increases the risk of various issues cropping up, most notably a rise in the potential for harmful bacteria to colonise and grow inside the water systems, storage tanks, pipework and outlets. Typical examples of dangerous bacteria that could colonise a water system include legionella, pseudomonas, cryptosporidium, and E. coli, although there are others.
New building projects obviously go through extensive planning, evaluation and approval stages before the first brick is laid. Similarly, building extensions and refurbishments require consideration of what’s there already and how it might be changed for the better.
Unfortunately, this is where problems can potentially begin. Those involved in the planning and design of new buildings, and the refurbishment of existing ones are unlikely to have extensive knowledge of current water safety rules and best practice, how to control the dangers associated with waterborne pathogens such as Legionella bacteria and how these factors impact the design of new building services. They may have a basic idea of what’s required, but few building design experts would be expected to have sufficient knowledge of water safety issues that could arise from their designs. It’s impossible to have experience in all areas.
How water safety expertise can help guide the building design team
And this is where a meeting of the minds must take place. Building designers will understand that the finished building or renovation must be fit for purpose. However, as they won’t work in that building once it’s complete, it would be difficult to expect them to have all the knowledge needed to create a design that works and is safe to use with respect to the water system.
In many sectors, including healthcare, meetings of an established Water Safety Group (guided by an expert Authorising Engineer) should occur prior to any building or renovation work taking place. These meetings should include the building designers (architects, structural and building services engineers) and those who will be involved with the construction process. Furthermore, those who will use the building and its water systems should also have a role to play. It is only by discussing the needs of each interested group that the attention to water safety will reach the desired levels.
Building design, water safety plans and BS 8680:2020
The British Standard BS 8680:2020 looks at the importance of water quality and how to develop a Water Safety Plan – a task undertaken by the Water Safety Group. The water safety plan covers all possible risk factors associated with the water system in question. One such factor could well involve building, demolition or renovation works. For example, a new wing may be planned for a hospital. Renovation of part of an older building would be another example. These would both be identified as potential risk factors that must be handled correctly to minimise the increased water safety risks that might then be associated with the design and construction processes.
It becomes easier, then, to see why those involved in the design process (whether for new buildings, extensions or renovations) should have close interaction with the Water Safety Group and the eventual users of the building once completed. Their role will impact the success of the water system, which will likely need to be extended to account for any new buildings being designed. In the case of renovations, existing pipework will likely need to be altered or removed. The current approach to maintenance and cleaning of the water systems would therefore require changes – changes that the Water Safety Group would be unaware of unless informed of them by the building designers and construction team.
Improving interaction between the building design team and the Water Safety Group
It’s really a case of bringing everyone together to discuss and collaborate on the design plans and how these may affect water safety now and in to the future. Alternatively, it would be necessary for any new building to go through the design process with input from those who will work there and use the building each day.
When compared to the alternative, this logical approach has much to recommend it. Imagine the alternative for a moment – the idea of a new hospital built in accordance with the original design plans but without considering how different parts of the hospital require different approaches to water safety. Since many designers often have little experience of working in healthcare environments, on different wards, and among vulnerable people, they could not draw on that experience.
That’s why partnering with those in the Water Safety Group at the earliest stage is of paramount importance. This will ensure the design project – whether for alterations, renovations, or a new build – will take heed of all potential risk factors concerning the water system. By working together, the risks associated with a complex water system can easily be identified, reduced, and in many cases, eliminated altogether.
It is certainly much easier to take this proactive approach than to try and fix things when they invariably go wrong at a later stage. Where legionella is involved, this could have profound consequences that could so easily have been avoided.
Expert water safety design evaluation and construction monitoring
Legionella Control International are experienced legionella and water safety specialist supporting building owners, facilities managers, property developers, design professionals, building contractors and others involved in the construction process.
Through our design evaluation and construction monitoring services we can help identify and eliminate poor or non-compliant water services associated with new building projects before they are incorporated into the building. This improves long term water safety and eliminates the need for expensive post-completion remedial works where non-compliant design and construction must be made-good.
If you would like to speak with one of our construction sector specialists about water safety risk management for your next building project call us today on 0330 223 36 86 or contact us here …
