Risks, hazards and how to mitigate them
Contents
Correct valves Things to check Health and safety considerations Common visual faults Faults table
Safety Risks to people Risks to buildings Questions Know what you're looking at
Start
Safety
Hot water safety protects residents and maintains the building's integrity. Hot water can be a significant health risk if not installed properly and regularly inspected and maintained.
Risks to people
Hover over the images for more information
Burns and scalds
Carbon monoxide
Electrics
Legionella
All modern hot water systems are connected to electrical controls.
HSE guides - why water is heated to high temperatures and how to reduce the risks.
Legionella is a bacteria that grows in water between 20-45 °C.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer; it is odourless and colourless.
Link
Link
Link
Link
Risks to buildings
Explosion
Leaks
Leaks are the most common and obvious risk to a building.
An explosion is the most extreme risk with domestic hot water systems.
Learn more about leaks
Learn more about explosions
Risks to the building and fabric
See some of the issues leaks can cause by selecting the icons on the images.
- In both situations repairs should be undertaken immediately to avoid it worsening.
- It may involve landlord or home insurance to cover these sorts of risks.
Link
LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT
Risk of explosion
Explosions pose the greatest danger. Safety features like vents and relief valves help manage overheating by releasing water. Water takes time to boil and change state. Under pressure, water remains liquid at higher temperatures. If this pressure is released, it results in rapid expansion or an explosion - a large volume of water heated above 100 °C, remaining a liquid as it can't escape. Eventually, the pressure will be too great causing a mass amount of water to vaporise into a gas. Read about a cylinder explosion:
If a cylinder explosion fractures or rips out the gas pipe, this can result in a fire.
Link
Try a few questions
1. What is the odourless and colourless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon based fuels?
- Hydrogen chloride
- Nitrogen
- Carbon monoxide
Reveal
2. The risk of Legionella increases when water is stored at what temperature?
- 10°C - 20°C
- 20°C- 45°C
- 40°C - 55°C
Reveal
3. What is the most extreme risk a hot water system can pose to a building?
- Cylinder explodes
- Boiler leaks acids
- Boiler leaks pressurised boiling water
Reveal
Know what you're looking at first!
Visually checking a system can provide valuable information about its condition, such as the age and maintenance of taps, pipework, and appliances. Refer to technical information or manufacturer instructions to check for proper installation and service history, including details about the installer and each service performed on the system.
Identify the system type!
If the cylinder has an expansion vessel and pressure relief valves...
If the cylinder is in an airing cupboard and storage tanks in the loft...
If it has a combination boiler ...
it is a sealed system
it is a gravity system
it is a pressurised unvented system
Reveal
Reveal
Reveal
Correct valve for the correct job!
Now you can check for defects that might lead to unsafe situations. Key things to check on each system will slightly differ, but it will help to identify possible DIY works, age-related issues, or poor workmanship. Do you recognise these valve types?
Gas Isolation Valve
Water Isolation valve
Lever Isolation Valve
Gate Valve - Low Pressure Isolation
Reveal
Reveal
Reveal
Reveal
Things to check
Check for signs of leaks - wet or damp patches.
Check for signs of scaling on the whole system, this can diminish efficiency and risk blockages.
Listen, run the hot taps and if you hear loud banging or vibrating, the system might not be clipped or supported properly.
If in doubt, talk to a professional!!
Tradespeople must be occupationally qualified and registered with a competent person scheme to work on hot water systems.
If you suspect something is incorrect or unsafe, or you are unsure, seek advice from an approved, qualified plumber.
Health and Safety considerations
Hover over the images to reveal the information
Common Visual Faults
Select the images to access the resources
Boiler Guide: Common Hot Water Cylinder Problems
British Gas: What to do if you have no hot water?
EDF Energy: 10 common boiler problems
Common Visual Faults Table
pop-out to download
L4 Hot Water Risks and Hazards
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Transcript
Risks, hazards and how to mitigate them
Contents
Correct valves Things to check Health and safety considerations Common visual faults Faults table
Safety Risks to people Risks to buildings Questions Know what you're looking at
Start
Safety
Hot water safety protects residents and maintains the building's integrity. Hot water can be a significant health risk if not installed properly and regularly inspected and maintained.
Risks to people
Hover over the images for more information
Burns and scalds
Carbon monoxide
Electrics
Legionella
All modern hot water systems are connected to electrical controls.
HSE guides - why water is heated to high temperatures and how to reduce the risks.
Legionella is a bacteria that grows in water between 20-45 °C.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer; it is odourless and colourless.
Link
Link
Link
Link
Risks to buildings
Explosion
Leaks
Leaks are the most common and obvious risk to a building.
An explosion is the most extreme risk with domestic hot water systems.
Learn more about leaks
Learn more about explosions
Risks to the building and fabric
See some of the issues leaks can cause by selecting the icons on the images.
Link
LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT
Risk of explosion
Explosions pose the greatest danger. Safety features like vents and relief valves help manage overheating by releasing water. Water takes time to boil and change state. Under pressure, water remains liquid at higher temperatures. If this pressure is released, it results in rapid expansion or an explosion - a large volume of water heated above 100 °C, remaining a liquid as it can't escape. Eventually, the pressure will be too great causing a mass amount of water to vaporise into a gas. Read about a cylinder explosion:
If a cylinder explosion fractures or rips out the gas pipe, this can result in a fire.
Link
Try a few questions
1. What is the odourless and colourless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon based fuels?
Reveal
2. The risk of Legionella increases when water is stored at what temperature?
Reveal
3. What is the most extreme risk a hot water system can pose to a building?
Reveal
Know what you're looking at first!
Visually checking a system can provide valuable information about its condition, such as the age and maintenance of taps, pipework, and appliances. Refer to technical information or manufacturer instructions to check for proper installation and service history, including details about the installer and each service performed on the system.
Identify the system type!
If the cylinder has an expansion vessel and pressure relief valves...
If the cylinder is in an airing cupboard and storage tanks in the loft...
If it has a combination boiler ...
it is a sealed system
it is a gravity system
it is a pressurised unvented system
Reveal
Reveal
Reveal
Correct valve for the correct job!
Now you can check for defects that might lead to unsafe situations. Key things to check on each system will slightly differ, but it will help to identify possible DIY works, age-related issues, or poor workmanship. Do you recognise these valve types?
Gas Isolation Valve
Water Isolation valve
Lever Isolation Valve
Gate Valve - Low Pressure Isolation
Reveal
Reveal
Reveal
Reveal
Things to check
Check for signs of leaks - wet or damp patches. Check for signs of scaling on the whole system, this can diminish efficiency and risk blockages. Listen, run the hot taps and if you hear loud banging or vibrating, the system might not be clipped or supported properly.
If in doubt, talk to a professional!!
Tradespeople must be occupationally qualified and registered with a competent person scheme to work on hot water systems. If you suspect something is incorrect or unsafe, or you are unsure, seek advice from an approved, qualified plumber.
Health and Safety considerations
Hover over the images to reveal the information
Common Visual Faults
Select the images to access the resources
Boiler Guide: Common Hot Water Cylinder Problems
British Gas: What to do if you have no hot water?
EDF Energy: 10 common boiler problems
Common Visual Faults Table
pop-out to download