The health care landscape has changed over the last several years, and it is severely impacting a plumbing engineer’s ability to keep hospital patients safe within hospital and other health care buildings. What’s that change, you may ask? It’s that no one uses the plumbing fixtures code requires in many hospital and health care applications anymore.
I have discussed the need for smarter plumbing systems that improve system operation and water management strategies. I’ve been a proponent of “right-size” plumbing system strategies that many of my great colleagues have and are continuing to develop because it reduces water volume and surface area in our piping systems. I’ve discussed domestic hot water system temperatures based on building application and how it helps control Legionella growth. I’ve discussed supplemental disinfection and how, when properly employed, can be a great tool in further reducing Legionella development in a plumbing system and lowering legal risk for building owners and operators.