Finding and Managing Dead Legs in Water Pipes

Dead legs can cause a host of problems in water pipes. This includes legionella, increased corrosion and pipe wall thinning. This will increase the amount of money, and effort, that you need to put into repairing pipes. 

In this blog post, we’ll be looking at how to locate and manage dead leg areas in water pipes to avoid sections in pipes which contain stagnant water. 

What are dead legs in water pipes and why can they be dangerous?

Dead legs, in terms of plumbing, refers to an unused, or rarely used section of piping in your water pipes. This usually happens when pipework is altered, modified or extended upon (such as upgrading radiators), meaning the original design and layout is no longer optimal.

Equally, it can happen if part of the system is no longer in use, but hasn’t been properly flushed or disconnected. They are more common in commercial plumbing systems, because of the more complex nature of these pipes. However, they can still occur in residential plumbing too. 

Here are a few reasons for which dead legs can be dangerous:

Where can you find pipework dead legs?

Given that dead legs are usually caused by modifications/alterations to a piping system, technically, you could find a dead leg almost anywhere in the system. However, there are some more common areas to pay attention to. Here are the most common locations to find dead legs in pipework:

What are the risks and considerations for pipework dead legs?

The risks of dead legs in pipes include water contamination, excess corrosion, disease spread and system failure. Pipes are usually designed for water to flow through, not for water to sit in. As a result, when water stagnates in a section of the pipe, it is harmful to both the pipes and to people using these water systems. 

You need to consider the removal of dead legs, regular flushing to avoid stagnating water and regular checks for any operational issues. 

Consider running risk assessments when changes are made to piping to understand the presence of dead legs, whether they can be removed, and how they will be maintained if not. Also look into preventative plumbing maintenance, to catch issues early on.

How long can a dead leg be in water pipes?

Dead legs would ideally be removed in all cases. But, in situations where this isn’t necessarily possible, it’s usually recommended that the length of the dead leg pipe doesn’t exceed 1.5 times the diameter of the pipe, particularly to stop the multiplication of legionella. 

How often should dead legs be flushed?

If you do have to keep a dead leg in a piping system, it’s vital to regularly clean/flush this section of the pipe, ensuring that water isn’t left to stagnate for too long, decreasing the risk of disease and harsh corrosion. 

When it comes to the frequency of flushing dead legs, more is always better, but we’d recommend flushing them out at least weekly, due to the high risk of disease and bacteria.

Should you remove dead legs from your water pipes?

Yes, you should always look to remove dead legs from your water pipes. Removing dead legs can prevent bacterial growth and increase the lifespan of your systems, as well as reducing the risk of a leak or damage. 

Where total removal isn’t possible, at least consider shortening the length of the dead leg, and implementing a flushing/maintenance plan.

How to avoid dead legs in piping

Avoiding dead legs in plumbing should primarily occur in the planning/design of a system, before installation. Absolutely necessary dead legs should be kept to a maximum length of 1.5 times the diameter of the pipe, but using optimal designs and parts should help you to remove this necessity. 

If upgrading or altering a piping system, work should be taken to ensure no sections are made redundant, leading to dead legs. To do this, you’ll need the professionals to install your plumbing, and remove any existing or new dead legs at the same time. |

Lacey Plumbing and Heating are experienced in plumbing jobs of all kinds, including the removal of dead legs to increase the lifespan of your pipes.
 

Does Your Building Need a Doc M Bathroom?

Doc M, short for ‘approved document M’, is a broad set of regulations which must be adhered to to facilitate access and use of buildings for all members of the public, including disabled people. 

In terms of plumbing, this means accessible bathrooms and toilets (with grab rails to assist movement) and altered taps, toilets and shower facilities. 

We’ve covered what bathroom fittings are Doc M compliant, but now we’re going to answer whether or not your building actually needs a Doc M bathroom. 

What is a Doc M bathroom?

A doc M bathroom usually refers to a commercial bathroom (or public bathroom) which complies with the requirements laid out by approved document M. These bathrooms must be professionally installed and contain certain features allowing for increased accessibility, maneuverability and other safety considerations for individuals with limited movement, in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities.   

Doc M bathrooms are usually installed using fittings from a ‘Doc M pack’ which is essentially an all-in-one pack which includes all the parts and fittings required to make your bathroom compliant. These usually include:

Doc M bathrooms need to be fitted by the professionals, who know what it takes to ensure total legal compliance for your buildings.

What buildings need to be Doc M compliant?

Doc M compliance applies to all newly built non-domestic buildings, new dwellings and after specific changes to existing buildings. The specifics of what compliance means for your building type can vary a great deal, so we’d recommend fully understand the Approved Document M, or speaking to professional plumbers, before going ahead with a bathroom, washroom or shower installation:

Doc M ensures all facilities are legally compliant with the Equality Act 2010, as well as increasing the inclusivity of your facilities, not just for wheelchair users, but also for those with other disabilities and impairments. 

Does your commercial building need a Doc M compliant washroom?

Yes, your commercial building most likely needs a Doc M compliant washroom. Under the equality act and building regulations part M, details such as grab rails, lever taps and thermostatic valves allow disabled people to use these facilities without being at a ‘substantial disadvantage’.

Not only does a compliant washroom, bathroom or shower ensure legal compliance, but it also improves the public image and accessibility of your building. This should help you to attract more business, customers and individuals to your premises.

However, achieving Doc M compliance isn’t as simple as buying a Doc M bathroom pack and installing it. You need professional plumbers, with experience following guidelines and measurements to a tee. 

Doc M Toilet Installation

Lacey Plumbing can help with Doc M toilet installation. Our experience means we can work with you every step of the way, working towards a legally compliant and publicly accessible commercial building. 

Our Doc M toilet installation services will give you peace of mind that you’re following all guidelines allowing people with disabilities to access and use your premises safely and comfortably. 

We also offer bathroom adaptations for elderly and disabled individuals, whether that's for residential premises or otherwise. Get in touch to get started.

Plumbing Compliance and Standards in Healthcare

Healthcare buildings need to be equipped with the correct plumbing in order to ensure total compliance with legal standards and requirements. In these buildings, the focus is on preventing bacterial growth, cross-contamination and preventing scalding. 

Why plumbing compliance is important in healthcare

Whilst plumbing compliance is necessary for a number of commercial and residential building types, it’s especially important in healthcare settings where botched installations, or failure to follow guidelines, could be the difference between life and death. 

Unique sinks (hospital pattern sinks), basins and sanitaryware must be installed to prevent overflow, and facilitate clinical handwashing. These are often installed behind integrated plumbing systems, to prevent dirt traps and difficult to clean surfaces.

Essentially, healthcare facilities need compliance more than any other building type due to the likelihood of high risk individuals, and the necessity that systems stay up and running so care can be given at all times. 

Healthcare plumbing necessitates highly trained plumbers with a depth of knowledge about the standards they need to maintain. For highly specialised healthcare plumbing solutions, contact Lacey Plumbing and Heating.

The challenges of healthcare plumbing

Healthcare plumbing includes a variety of unique challenges, spanning from maintaining water pressure requirements, to preventing the spread of diseases such as legionnaires disease:

Plumbing compliance and standards in healthcare settings

The Health Technical Memorandum 04-01 (HTM 04-01) gives legal guidance regarding design, application, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems in all types of healthcare facilities. 

It mandates that hot and cold water must be stored at appropriate temperatures to avoid the growth of legionella and other bacteria. It also includes the installation of TMVs to prevent water from exceeding certain temperatures to prevent scalding for individuals with limited mobility or other health concerns, as well as managing dead legs to prevent stagnation. 

Also, the Health Building Note (HBN) 00-10 Part C outlines required fittings and fixtures for clinical and non-clinical areas. This includes clinical handwashing sinks, non-touch taps/faucets and laminar flows, which often need to be fitted close to the point of patient care. 

Contamination prevention is a vital aspect of compliance in healthcare settings, and plumbing plays its part in this. Backflow protection must be installed to prevent contaminated water flowing back into potable water supplies, and elbow operated taps are commonly required to prevent bacterial spread. 

Optimising plumbing systems for health and safety settings

Optimising plumbing systems for health and safety settings includes following legal regulations, and ensuring that systems meet a certain number of standards. This is most easily achieved through a professional plumbing team who have experience in following legislations to a tee, and delivering bespoke solutions to all healthcare buildings. 

When it comes to preventing the spread of disease, maximising hygiene, increasing accessibility, as well as following all legal and recommended guidelines, Lacey Plumbing and Heating can help you with all your plumbing needs for a healthcare building.

Whether this is a GP surgery, a clinic, hospital setting or practitioners office, get in touch to find out more.