Documents That Affect Water Systems Within Buildings
In the UK, there are both statutory and non-statutory documents that affect water systems within buildings. Statutory documents are legislation passed in law that must be adhered to, failure to do so can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment. Non-statutory documents are documents that form guidance on the design, maintenance and repair of water system within buildings. While it is not a legal requirement to comply with the guidance provided in non-statutory documents, it is generally considered to be the bare minimum by which to design, maintain and repair water systems.
Statutory Documents
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations
- COSHH Regulations
- CHIP Regulations
- Biocidal Products Regulations
- CDM Regulations
- Confined Spaces Regulations
- Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations
- Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations
- Building Regulations
- RIDDOR
- Health & Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations
- Water Industry Act 1991
- Personal Protective Equipment Regulations
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
Non Statutory Documents
- AcoP Document L8 - Legionnaires' Disease: The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems
- BS6700:2006 - Specification for Design, Installation, Testing and Maintenance of Services Supplying Water for Domestic Use Within Buildings and Their Curtilages
- Water Fittings and Materials Directory
- WRAS Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations Guide
- UK Health Department HTM 0401
- Defence Estates PI 04/37
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is probably the most relevant of all the above documents and sets out both duties of employers towards their employees and duties of the employee. The essential aims of this document are as follows:
- To secure the health, safety and welfare of persons at work
- To protect persons other than employees from risks at work (i.e. persons living or working near the business or those entering the premises in the course of business
- To control dangerous substances (explosive, toxic or highly flammable) in terms of their acquisition and use
- to control emissions into the atmosphere from the workplace