Some of us have started to return to the office, and in the coming weeks many more people will leave home for the first time in what seems like forever! To ensure a smooth and safe transition, it’s essential that buildings are clean and HVAC systems are operating as they should.
Ventilation in particular is key in the fight against coronavirus. In buildings that have lain dormant for some time, legionella proliferation can be a risk in water systems.
Employers, building owners and landlords all have a responsibility to the people using their buildings. The risk of Legionnaire’s disease has increased due to water stagnating in tanks and pipework in buildings that remained closed or at reduced occupancy during the pandemic.
Run a Legionella risk assessment before letting people back in to offices and other places of work. Carry this out before:
HSE’s guidance covers:
The guide explains the used of biocides and other chemicals. For hot and cold water systems, we have found that flushing alone is not enough. TVCs have increased during lockdown where flushing was the only source of control. Flushing using chemicals will provide ongoing bacterial control leading to less legionella risk and smoother reopening.
You can find out more about our approach to dealing with Legionella in underused buildings in our guide ‘Locked down but not forgotten’.
Employers are legally obliged to ensure there is an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of a workplace. While this has always been the case, as we have come to understand how Covid 19 is spread through the air, adequate ventilation is even more important.
The HSE recommends maximising the fresh air in a space by:
Before staff return back to work, employers, FMs and building managers should assess the risk from aerosol transmission in enclosed areas, identify poorly ventilated areas and decide on steps to improve the situation.
Recommendations for reducing the aerosol spread of Covid 19, include:
Guardian provides a range of air hygiene services, including air quality assessments, duct cleaning and IAQ monitoring, for more information, click here.
To read the HSE’s guides to Coronavirus (Covid 19): Working Safely, click here.