LEGIONELLA PREVENTION – WHAT IS A DEAD LEG?
It is the name given to places within the installation where water remains stagnant. Water either does not move at all or moves very rarely. Stagnant water.
HOW?
- By-pass lines,
- Pipe systems with blind ends,
- Hot – cold water pipes that are rarely used,
- Water tanks where water does not move,
- Pipes supplying water to taps and showers in unused rooms,
- Fire lines constitute dead legs.
They are mostly detected in pipe systems installed without technical and engineering calculations.
LEGIONELLA PREVENTION?
- All dead legs should either be removed or water should be flushed daily – weekly.
- Water inside all by-pass lines should be circulated weekly.
- Water should be circulated.
- Check valves should be installed at connections between fire lines and domestic water.
- Connections between domestic water and process water should comply with standards.
- Check valves should be installed on the feed water lines supplying closed circuits (boiler, fan-coil, etc.); existing ones should be checked for operation and worn ones replaced.
- The water system should be designed according to an engineering project and standards.
Identify All Dead Legs in Your Pipe System.
Number:35 • November 27, 2013
NOTE: The required actions may be more than those mentioned above. Important points are included as reminders, and the priority may vary depending on the risk situation.