Posted By Darren J Fraser
Andy

Are you sure that the tanks in question actually contain asbestos - has it been tested by an accredited lab?
If it is an ACM, then I would strongly advise changing the tanks and disposing of accordingly.
I am not a specialist in asbestos, and I hope that you have contacted a few for advise as well as asking on this forum. It would be interesting to see what the outcome of this post becomes.

Posted By gham
sounds like Mr Wilson could help you

I would have thought the tanks are fine if they are in good condition, given the properties of asbestos I would be surprised if chlornating them would damage them and given the nature of chlorine that it would penitrate, although not nesesarily break down biofilm build up

has the water contractor offered a price for changing the me wonders

Posted By Jeffrey Watt
I thought an article in SHP a few years back said that most potable water in the UK is delivered through asbestos cement pipes at some point and that up to 2 million particles of asbestos can be found in a litre of potable spring water.

Kinda hard to get at the lungs when it's in your belly?

Did I dream all that or just take it out of context like everything else.

Jeff
Confused of Norn Iron.

Posted By Adrian Watson
Andy,

Why are you chlorinating the tanks; are they dirty or is this routine chlorination? If it is routine chlorination. who advised this as it is ott!

In either case there is no need to replace the tank.

Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By Les Welling
I agree with the post above. However, having worked in a houising environment for 11 years in a previous life, I would have thought that there is no need to worry about legionella. I would replace the tanks though, but would probably advise leaving them in situ if you cannot get them through the loft door!

Posted By Jeffrey Watt
I asked previously what is the health risk from drinking water stored in asbestos cement tanks?

I have a suspicion there is none but I ask out of ignorance, repeat ignorance, so are their any specialists who can answer?

Jeff

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Jeff

None from the asbestos - but do you want to drink water from a tank in the loft/roof void which is at best covered with a loose fitting cover and containing various insect and other detritus? I have found rat carcases in them in communal blocks of accommodation.

Is

The reason for tank changes with these is because of their age and they can now be prone to sudden failure - leading to serious property damage from flooding. If the money is available a Combi boiler is the best bet as the tank then becomes redundant. Change is not however manadatory.

Bob

Posted By Is Kismet
Who drinks water from a tanked supply?

Drinking water should always be from a rising main.

Posted By Is Kismet
Quite right Bob. Lost the plot completely.

I'd blame the typist only it was me!

Posted By col
for those who think of legionella as something which rarely happens check out the following.

http://www.hcinfo.com/le...nella_enews_archives.htm

and

http://hcinfo.com/outbreaks-news.htm

Posted By Ron Young
And then inhaled

Posted By Is Kismet
Col

For more years than I can remember (yes Ron, a lot!) I have always understood that water from bathrooms should not be drunk - only water from rising mains is fit for drinking. And following from this (you can usually tell when a supply is tanked or direct by the pressure) I have always advised people to follow this rule whether at home, in hotels or wherever. I've assumed it to be general knowledge, just the same as lifting your foot up when passing over a threshold in a doorway.

Am I wrong?

Posted By col
Some may laugh.... but you would be surprised how many people including water treatment companies who say that you shouldnt drink from a tank fed system. The BS6700 states that water from a tank should be of drinking water quality as long as all aspects of the tank complies ie lid, lid vent , insect guard etc. It then goes on to say that if you use a tank to feed drinking water then the water needs to be turned over within a 24 hour period. The high rise flats have cold water boosted up to a tank in the roof. The cold water for the kitchens are fed from the booster tank on the way up and the bathroom outlets are fed from the tank on the roof.. reasons? coz the booster water tank in the basement is of a capacity that will turn over within a 24 hour period. The ACOP L8 states Legionella taesting of water tanks is not nessecary as the water should be of potable quality. The BS 6700 states that if the tank is for drinking purposes then you should take samples on a 6 monthly basis. Cold water from the supplier can be delivered at up to 25C yet you have to store water below 20C. Am I boring everyone yet.... Sorry but I still love the subject.

Posted By col
a tank has to have a complete flow of water, inlet on one side, outlet on the other.(cheapest way to remedy this is to fit a sparge pipe) A tight fitting lid with a lid vent( so that the lid doesnt implode). an insect guard on the overflow and warning pipe, insulation to the lid, sides and base (if above a boiler room base insulation is required)no vented returns to the tank and a water meter to ensure the water turn over is complete within a 24 hour period, consider changing floats in larger tanks for the type which have a minimum and maximum level( this lets the water level drop to 6" or so and then fills the complete tank with fresh water).

Posted By Adrian Watson
But not withinin domestic premises and only in non-domestic premises where there is a risk of infection.

Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By col
this leaflet is aimed at many different people including council and private landlords.(not just residential homes)

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pu...ionella%20residential%22

Are you saying that because someone catches legionella from a domestic water system the landlord cannot be prosecuted under HSWA?

Posted By col

More information for employers,

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pu...7.pdf#search=%22iac27%22

Posted By col
In response to your 3 points see below the reponse which I received from the HSE when contesting the need for risk assessments and monitoring of domestic houses.

Colin

A generic assessment will be ok so long as you are able to identify the different types of system(s) that you have installed - clearly some systems, e.g. those that do not have stored water such as combi-boilers, will present a much lower risk that others.

As to informing tenants of the risk, I guess you could say that for the majority of situations, the risk is low/controlled but you may want to advise when the risk could increase - as I mentioned, the issue of showers after holidays (I should stress that this is anecdotal information – you may want to discuss this further with ************* at the Health Protection Agency, Colindale, London). I have raised the issue of information provision with my colleague, who was the author of the leaflet and have asked her to consider whether HSE could (in consultation/collaboration with LAs) do anything further to help on this issue.

As I read the Management regs, the disapplication means that domestic
services are not covered - as I understand it this means those such as cooks, maids baby-sitters etc in the employ of a private householder. Your business (as the LA) is the provision of housing and maintaining that housing including the water systems. Therefore you have a duty under S3 of the HSWA to protect those not in your employ, i.e. tenants, from any risks arising from your business - by carrying out an assessment and putting in place appropriate controls.

Hope this helps

---

HM Specialist Inspector of Health and Safety (Dangerous Pathogens)

Posted By Adrian Watson
Col,

I suggest you refer them to Reg 3 of COSHH and to Sect 3 & 4 of the HSWA 74 and the relevant case law.

Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By Adrian Watson
Col,

I suggest you refer them to Reg 3(1) of COSHH and to Sect 3 & 4 of the HSWA 74 and the relevant case law. Whilst measures such as providing a system that complies with the law at the time is a reasonably practical measure, upgrading systems or carrying out ongoing activies such as monitoring are not required.

Furthermore, I cannot find any reference to exemption for domestic premises etc in the management regs; the HSW act only deals with non-domestic premises being used for work activities.

Regards Adrian Watson