Synonymous with friendliness and geniality, the term hospitality conjures up a welcoming host and a guest in need of comfort. The hospitality industry is a broad one, encompassing providers of lodgings and sustenance, with cross-over to tourism and leisure sectors and even certain types of events. The use of water within this industry is very high. For example a large, five-star hotel with kitchens catering for hundreds of guests, washing machines in constant cycle and a luxury spa comprising swimming pool, sauna and whirlpool is likely to consume large quantities on a 24-hour basis.

Water treatment needs

In the hospitality sector water must be plentiful and hygienic for the various everyday operations to take place safely and effectively. We have witnessed outbreaks of sickness in hotels, both at home and overseas, making headline news and very quickly affecting the reputation and bottom line of the independent trader or the globally renowned chain. In this sector water hygiene is paramount which means a system of regular water testing and treatment must take place.

Brodex’s professional water testing service is conducted in compliance with both British standards and guidance and European and UK legislation. Specialist services include drinking water, tank inspections, to cleaning and insulating water tanks, and chlorination, and testing for legionella. We provide a sampling service with results reported after ten days.

We regularly provide shower head sterilisation and the servicing or testing of thermostatic mixing valves (TMV’s) which control temperature to prevent scalding. Hot water should be stored at a minimum of 60 degrees to kill legionella bacteria, and dispensed at around 50 degrees. We also offer water tank inspections and repair systems such as components of piping systems which no longer offer flow to mitigate the risks of stagnant pools of water in which bacteria thrive. It may be necessary to replace the existing equipment and undertake maintenance and control over any further aspects of water treatment to prevent risk from bacteria.

Legionella risk

Our services include legionella risk assessment which checks for the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires Disease, Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever. Potential sources of legionella bacteria within the hospitality industry include water tanks, hot-water systems, cooling towers, fountains, showers and whirlpools. This entails water testing, flow and stagnation tests and inspection for aerosol formation since the bacteria are transmitted through airborne water droplets. Our Legionella risk assessment service ensures that your business’s water system is reviewed and treated to the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice on Legionella prevention, L8.

As well as testing for legionella we also collect samples from different locations around the hotel, bar or restaurant for example, sending it to our laboratory and checking for contaminates. Results are available ten days after testing and certificates are issued. Water testing and appropriate water treatment should take place on a regular basis across the hospitality sector.

For further information go to: http://www.brodexuk.com/