What Maintenance Practices are Essential for A Hospital Plumbing System?
Hospitals must ensure cleanliness and sterility because they are homes for people. According to the Australian Department of Health, hospitals must conduct quarterly inspections for leaks, corrosion, and drainage issues, annual backflow testing (per AS/NZS 3500), and biennial hot water servicing (50°C+ to prevent Legionella). This is to ensure water quality and to conduct inspections frequently.
In this article we will explore more about why regular maintenance practices are essential for hospital plumbing.
Essential Practices in Hospital Plumbing Maintenance
These are at least five essential practices for hospital plumbing maintenance in Melbourne that you can follow.
Perform Annual Backflow
To maintain water safety standards, hospitals must conduct annual backflow prevention testing, as standardised by AS/NZS 3500 plumbing standards and Melbourne Water regulations. This practice prevents contaminated water from flowing backward into clean water supplies.
Try to engage licensed plumbers annually to test and certify all backflow prevention devices, ensuring ongoing compliance and protecting water quality throughout the facility.
Biannual Hot Water System Servicing
According to the Australian Department of Health's Water Quality Guidelines (2022), hospitals must implement biannual hot water system servicing to combat Legionella pneumophila, which proliferates in stagnant water between 20-45°C. From AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 Plumbing Standard, hot water must be stored at ≥60°C and delivered at ≥50°C at outlets to ensure effective disinfection while maintaining safety.
Regularly flushing and inspection of TMV3-certified thermostatic mixing valves to balance microbial control with scalding prevention, particularly in pediatric and aged care areas.
Drain Inspections and Hydro-Jetting in Quarter
Quarterly drain inspections and hydro-jetting are good for hospital plumbing maintenance, particularly in high-traffic areas like operating rooms and patient bathrooms where blockages can lead to dangerous sewage backups and infection risks. The high-pressure hydro-jetting process effectively clears accumulated biofilm, grease, and debris that standard cleaning can't remove, while upgrading to stainless steel drainage systems provides long-term durability against corrosion and frequent use.
This approach prevents emergency plumbing failures while maintaining optimal hygiene standards throughout the facility.
Water Quality Monitoring
Continuous water quality monitoring regularly detects dangerous pathogens like Legionella while maintaining compliance with national health standards. Hospitals can implement sensor networks to monitor critical parameters, including temperature and pressure, in real time, enabling immediate response to any deviations.
Regular microbial testing at key points throughout the plumbing network can help complement this innovative monitoring system, verifying water safety and identifying potential contamination risks before they become health hazards.
Prepare Staff Training and Emergency Plumbing Protocol
Preparing your staff with training and clear emergency protocols is a good starter for minimising operational disruptions during plumbing emergencies like leaks or gas failures. Hospitals should implement regular drills to ensure all personnel can quickly identify and report warning signs, including water pressure drops or unusual odors, while maintaining up-to-date valve location maps for rapid response.
Partnering with 24/7 commercial plumbing services guarantees immediate professional intervention when critical situations arise, protecting patient safety and facility operations.
East Plumbing: Your Hospital Plumbing Services
We are here to provide fast and accurate service to all areas in Melbourne that need a plumber. We handle damage to particular industries, listen to customer complaints, and provide the best solutions. Our service is available 24/7 and ready to arrive at your hospital for emergency checking.