Management Information Sheet

Two cases have recently come to light of schools encountering problems with their drinking fountains. In both cases, low water pressure to the fountains had made them difficult to use.

As a result, both schools had asked NPS to investigate and these investigations had revealed that the same, poor working practices had been applied by the contractor in both installations.

In both cases, it was discovered that rather than connecting the drinking fountain to the mains water supply, the contractor had instead connected it to the cold water feed from the storage tank located in the roof void. This tank was also providing water to the wash hand basins.

In most drinking water installations, water is fed directly from the mains water supply. While it is not illegal to provide drinking water from storage tanks, they need to be maintained to a high level of cleanliness, subject to bacterial monitoring and have a rapid turnover of water. The tanks also need to be sealed to prevent the ingress of any material.

If you have concerns about the quality of your installation, (for example, because low water pressure or poor tasting water is being experienced), you should seek further advice from your NPS area surveyor.

It is important to remember also that when undertaking works of any type, steps need to be taken to ensure contractors are competent, (and members of any relevant professional bodies where applicable), can demonstrate how they will carry out the work and confirm that they will be working to the required standards. Contractor approval and monitoring are key requirements.

When engaging NPS to manage such works, NPS will approve any contractors used. When NPS are not utilised, this responsibility falls on the school. Document P605 – ‘Health and Safety in Procurement Activities (commissioning, contracts and contractors) policy and procedure’ available on Schools’; PeopleNet provides further information on this subject.

Additionally, the ‘Introduction to Project Management Training’ should be attended prior to undertaking refurbishment, improvement type works so that you are fully aware of your health and safety responsibilities.