Health Technical Memo HTM 04-01
INTRODUCTION
The HTM 04-01 document revises and supersedes the earlier HTM documents, 2027 ‘Hot and cold water supply, storage and mains services’ and 2040 ‘The Control of Legionellae in Healthcare Premises : a Code of Practice.’
The full title of the document now in force is HTM 04-01 ‘The Control of Legionella, Hygiene, “Safe” Hot Water, Cold Water and Drinking Water Systems.’
HTM 04-01 is available in two parts. Part A: Design, Installation and Testing; and Part B: Operational Management.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The HTM 04-01 document has been released to provide advice and guidance to healthcare management, design engineers, estate managers and operations managers on legal requirements, design, maintenance and operation of the domestic water systems in all healthcare premises. The document applies to new and existing buildings.
RATIONALE
Healthcare premises depend on a constant water supply to maintain hygiene and a comfortable environment. In order to minimise the possibility of water supply disruptions, maintaining a storage reserve is essential. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure there is adequate turnover of water to prevent stagnation in storage and distribution systems. Guidance on designing, maintaining and operating these systems “safely” is therefore crucial.
REGULATIONS
The design and installation of domestic hot and cold water systems must now comply with HTM 04-01. In addition, they must also comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the Approved Code of Practice and guidance document L8, Legionnaires’ Disease – The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems.
DESIGN, MAINTENANCE, OPERATION AND TESTING
HTM 04-01 provides guidance on the design, maintenance and operation of domestic hot and cold water systems. This includes recommendations regarding the installation of thermostatic mixing valves, pre-commission testing and design criteria.
Other water systems are covered in the document, such as hydrotherapy pools, though HTM 04-01 is not intended to be an exhaustive guide for other systems and their specific guidance should be sought.
Testing parameters and frequencies relating to hot and cold water systems are covered under our separate bulletin entitled ‘Testing Frequencies and Criteria.’
For more information please contact H2O Chemicals Ltd.
