Schematic Drawings for Water Systems & Legionella Risk Management

Schematic drawings form an integral part of any prudent legionella risk management programme and are a specific requirement of the Health & Safety Executive’s procedures dealing with the control of legionella bacteria in water systems.

In a legionella control context schematic drawings or simply “schematics” as they are often called are simplified but accurate diagrams that help to identify the configuration of a building services water systems, plant, equipment and components.

Schematic drawings of water systems are intended to be easy to read without specialised training or experience and should incorporate the important components that make-up an engineered water system, but leave out those elements that are considered to be irrelevant.

An example of a good schematic diagram would be the London Underground map.

Improved Water Safety & Legionella Risk Management

Legionella Control Internationals experts can create well-designed schematic drawings in a range of electronic formats that help to create simplicity from complexity, allowing the legionella responsible person, plant operators, facilities managers and engineers to gain a better understanding of their water systems, highlight areas of potential legionella risk, and so assist in the safe and efficient operation of the facility.

Why Have Schematic Drawings?

Schematic diagrams form an integral part of any prudent legionella risk management programme and are required by the Health & Safety Executive and other key codes of practice.

Carrying out a legionella risk assessment

“As part of the risk assessment, take into account the individual nature of each site and consider the system as a whole and not, eg the cooling tower in isolation. In complex systems, a site survey of all the water systems should be carried out, including an asset register of all associated plant, pumps, strainers and other relevant items. This should include an up-to-date schematic diagram showing the layout of the plant or system, including parts temporarily out of use.”

Paragraph 38. Health & Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice and guidance L8 “Legionnaires’ disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems”

Relevant Legislation & Codes of Practice

• Health & Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8, “Legionnaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems”
• Health & Safety Executive: HSG274 Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance Part 1: The control of legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems
• Health & Safety Executive: HSG274 Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems
• Health & Safety Executive: HSG274 Legionnaires’ disease: Technical guidance Part 3: The control of legionella bacteria in other risk systems
• Department of Health: Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 04-01: Safe water in healthcare premises
• BS 8580:2010 “Water Quality – Risk assessments for Legionella control – Code of practice”

Preparation of Schematic Drawings

Our specialist teams are expert in the preparation of high quality schematic diagrams in a variety of electronic design formats that can be used to improve on-site risk management, safety engineering and document control procedures.

Expert Assistance

For further information and specialist assistance regarding the preparation of schematic drawings please call +44 (0) 330 223 36 86 to speak to one of our specialists.

Our teams of water safety specialists support those responsible for the control of waterborne pathogens including Legionella bacteria in the workplace, helping them to protect their people and meet their health and safety obligations in this specialist area. We deliver professional water safety legionella risk assessments, water testing, independent compliance auditing, City & Guilds training and other environmental risk management services that help keep staff and others safe.

If you have questions about any of the issues raised above or you would like to speak with one of our legionella specialists please call us today on 0330 223 36 87 or contact us here.