Air & Water hygiene helps business to stay compliant

Air & Water hygiene services

Our Air and Water hygiene services help businesses to ensure health and safety compliance and improve their operational sustainability and efficiency. Whether it is a one-time check of water hygiene, or regular maintenance of air & water ventilation systems, KPFM will provide a flexible and cost effective solution.

Air Hygiene quality assessments

Air quality in particular has become an essential part of the fight against COVID-19. As such we have seen an increase in demand for our Air hygiene assessments. A study by the British Medical Journal has concluded that ‘short-term exposure to air pollution is associated with acute respiratory infection hospital admission’. This study, among others, has led to scientists urging the Government to focus efforts on better air quality initiatives to help tackle coronavirus.

Even before COVID-19 made air hygiene a priority, it was still important to have good air circulation in workplaces. Good air ventilation controls odours and dilutes gases such as carbon dioxide. Having clean, fresh air circulating through a workplace will also increase the productivity of employees and boost their comfort and well-being.

KPFM has over two decades of experience providing air hygiene services in buildings of all sizes.

Legionella Risk Assessment (L8)

Legionella bacteria can cause a number of diseases including Pontiac Fever and most seriously, Legionnaires' disease. Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia that can be fatal.

Legionella bacteria usually grow in natural water sources, such as rivers, ponds and lakes. But in these natural environments, it’s rare for people to fall susceptible to the bacteria. It’s more likely that purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, hot and cold water systems and evaporative condensers will lead to an outbreak.

Legionella can be contracted by inhaling small droplets of water that contain the bacteria. Your water systems may be at an increased risk of growing the bacteria if:

The water temperature is between 20°C and 45°C

There is a water tower or water outlet that disperses water droplets
The water systems store and recirculate water
Water systems and pipes are not regularly cleaned , rust, sludge and other organic matter can promote the growth of legionella bacteria

In light of COVID-19, taking every precaution to prevent the spread of disease is a priority. Having a clean and safe working environment is essential to complying with health and safety and creating a comfortable space for team members. As many businesses are only just beginning to welcome back employees to the office, it’s more important than ever to get ahead of the curve when it comes to cleanliness.

KPFM can provide a thorough water risk assessments to identify potential hazards that could lead to a legionella outbreak. We review water systems to ensure none are allowing the growth of legionella bacteria or any other harmful pathogens.

KPFM can also schedule planned maintenance during idle hours to maintain a consistent schedule with minimal disruption.

Descaling & Dichlorination

Regular cleaning and maintenance may be necessary as part of an employer’s responsibility to control the risk of legionella and other water-borne bacteria. Care homes and healthcare businesses have a greater responsibility to prevent legionella bacteria from growing as the inhabitants of these properties are at a higher risk.

Chlorination is an effective response to legionella and the process should be regularly conducted to prevent the bacteria from growing. In order to comply with health and safety, most industries often opt for an annual clean and disinfection of their water systems.

KPFM will take on responsibility for the upkeep of your water systems and make sure that they comply with water safety regulations. .

Sampling & Analysis

Water sampling and analysis is crucial in identifying contaminated water sources in a workplace. Buildings that have been vacant for extended periods and haven’t been regularly cleaned might have become home to bacteria, microbes and harmful pathogens.

If any of these bacteria are water-born, then this could pose a risk to any staff, visitors or customers who return to the building when it reopens.
KPFM can provide the business, building or workplace with rapid water quality parameter testing to identify instances of contamination.

Depending on how quickly the building needs to reopen and whether your building has been vacant or only partially open during the lockdown, we can tailor our service to meet specific needs.

KPFM will check for specific contaminants in water and deliver findings with a fast turnaround time.

Routine temperature monitoring

Checking the temperature of hot and cold water systems is an effective measure that can be taken to prevent the risk of Legionellosis. If the temperature allows it to do so, legionella bacteria will grow and spread in both hot and cold man-made water systems.

However, the process of checking water systems must be performed in the correct way to ensure compliance. The results should be recorded and used to manage the risk of legionellosis and assess the control processes in place.

Water safety monitoring should be carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice approved by the Health and Safety Executive. To make sure that routine temperature monitoring is being performed correctly, feel free to contact our team. KPFM will assess the monitoring of the water temperature to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations.

KPFM can take on this task ourselves to ensure every hot and cold water system and outlet on the premises is compliant.