Maxi-Flow
has qualified and approved Risk Management Plan
Auditors* on its staff who can assist with the
annual auditing of your cooling tower system
Risk Management Plan (RMP).
The
Building Act 1993 (Victoria) requires landowners
to take all reasonable steps to ensure that
Risk Management Plans for cooling towers are
independently audited on an annual basis. The
audit must take place within the three
months leading up to the re-registration
date of the cooling tower.
Background
During
late 2000 and early 2001 the Victorian Government
strengthened the regulatory framework to improve
the testing and maintenance standards for cooling
towers, and to reduce the impact on the community
of Legionnaires' Disease.
In
summary the key aspects of the strategy were
to:
- Establish
a comprehensive register of cooling tower
systems by amending the Building Act 1993
to facilitate improved educative programs,
and also enhance outbreak investigations
- Require
all registered owners to develop and implement
Risk Management Plans for effective maintenance
and to control the risk of Legionella from
cooling tower systems
- Require
annual independent audits of risk management
plans
- Provide
for random inspections of cooling tower systems
by Department of Human Services officers
- Provide
an enhanced technical advisory and outbreak
investigation service through the Department
of Human Services.
(source:
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/legionella/index.htm)
The
following link will take you to the Victorian
Government web site regarding the control of
legionella in cooling towers (link opens in
new window):
Preparing
for your RMP Audit
To
assist you with preparing all the relevant documents
for an audit we have provided the following
check list:
Note
that at the completion of an audit, the auditor
needs to be able to form a view that the Risk
Management Plan has addressed the five critical
risks as outlined by the Department of
Human Services, and that the operational program
has been implemented.
The
5 critical risks associated with cooling tower
systems:
1.
Stagnant Water
2.
Nutrient Growth
3.
Poor Water Quality
4.
Deficiencies in Cooling Tower Systems
5.
Location & Access
Documents
to supply for audit:
The
documentation you supply must demonstrate that
your RMP has addressed the 5 critical risks.
- Copy
of RMP for each system
- Copy
of registration certificate for each system
- Copy
of all documentation supporting the operational
program and water treatment program (based
on risk assessment/category) for each system
- Copy
of maintenance compliance certificates from
manufacturer/installer (e.g. drift eliminators
must comply with ASNZS/3666.1:2002)
For
example:
- Inspection
(weekly to monthly)
- Service
(fortnightly to monthly)
- Total
bacterial count [heterotrophic colony
count/HCC test] (at least monthly)
- Legionella
test (monthly to quarterly)
- Cleaning
(at least 6 monthly)
- Copy
of documentation supporting other maintenance/upgrade
work specified in the RMP:
For
example:
- Removal
of pipe "dead legs" from system
(areas of still water)
- Fitting
of Australian Standards compliant drift
eliminators (AS/NZS 3666)
- Fitting
of light inhibiting louvre over wetted
surfaces
- Fitting
of new modern PVC fill pack
- Removal
of corrosion
- Reline
or recoating of basins.
If
you have any further queries please contact
Maxi-Flow and we can advise you how to proceed
with your cooling tower system Risk Management
Plan audit. Call us on Melbourne (03) 9761 8399.
*Approved
by the Victorian Department
of Human Services, Australia.
