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CIAT
Waterclean: hot and cold water network protection, for sanitary equipment at risk from Legionella
The Waterclean System – developed under licence from CALEFFI France’s ‘Carlier Meskel’ system and industrialized by CIAT – has won the Golden ENEO 2009 award at the Energy, Temperature Control & Water expo held in Lyon from 25-28 February. Waterclean is an innovative concept that protects users of sanitary water from the risk of Legionella, Pseudomona and other bacteria. It eliminates them when they are present in the water supply of buildings, or develop naturally in distribution networks. Waterclean System is the first solution on the market that takes into account the global problem of sanitary water when it involves both hot and cold water.
It was in 1976 that Legionella first struck at a convention of former American soldiers (‘the legion’). Several hundred people were struck down with this serious bacterial lung disease. Since then, Legionella (of which there are dozens of different strains, including Legionnaire’s Disease) has been the bête noire of hospitals and other healthcare establishments as it particularly affects compromised and ill patients.
Legionella are bacteria from hydro-telluric origin. They colonise naturally in humid soils, lakes and groundwater, and do not present any particular danger unless they are introduced into the digestive tract. They only become potentially pathogenic if they are introduced to the respiratory tracts. This explains why the areas of water at risk of Legionella are essentially the shower heads in sanitary installations. Legionella develop well at temperatures between 20-50°C. It is therefore commonly acknowledged that the Legionella problem is linked to hot water. Existing systems tackle the problem of hot water only. This is a big mistake: all distribution networks of sanitary water comprise a loop of hot water, around 55°C, and pipes of cold water, which are necessary to bring the temperature to an agreeable level for the human body, between 35 and 40°C. Thus, untreated cold water pipes constitute a permanent threat with the proliferation of bacteria, together with the mixing points, to create a place of outbreak perfectly suited for Legionella. It follows that cold water should be treated as often as hot water.
The Waterclean System is a ready-to-install, compact piece of kit. It is a preventative heat treatment solution that raises the total temperature of sanitary water to 65°C for several minutes – via a disinfection heat exchanger and holding chamber – which ensures the elimination of bacteria. A second exchanger can deliver output of one part hot water ‘assured’ for the loop, and another part cold water ‘assured’ for the usage supply points and PERL – both free of bacteria.
Also, the Waterclean System has a ‘healing mode’ which, over time and through correct use, allows the purification of an existing network. The Waterclean System is therefore suited to the market for new users and for refurbishments. The anti-burn cartridges anticipated for each point of water capture as well as the remote management mechanism, complete the product offering to assure a maximum level of security for users and of traceability for the management.
This bacteria mainly affects people who have a compromised immune system. For the first time, this new system will be a priority for care homes, rest homes and hospital establishments. The Waterclean System will become commercial in spring 2009 but is already installed in a test site at the Centre Hospitalier Specialise de Savoie, a psychiatric hospital in Bassens, France. Fully capable of monitoring certain parameters, it is the subject of regular tests – and samples are analysed by the CNRL (the national research centre for Legionella, based at Hospices Civils in Lyon, France), an international reference centre in the fight against Legionella. Reports made over the last year prove the effectiveness of the equipment in both a preventative and curative function.
Research teams at CIAT group have also committed to this major innovation, which conforms with good environmental management. The system uses no chemicals or consumables. The equipment minimises energy cost and is registered to HQE (‘High Quality Environment’) standards.
All phases of Waterclean’s study and design were achieved in-house by its Exchanger Division, with support from CIAT Group’s research centre. However the experimental installation tests have been done through the CNRL (National Centre for Legionella Research).
Legionella are bacteria from hydro-telluric origin. They colonise naturally in humid soils, lakes and groundwater, and do not present any particular danger unless they are introduced into the digestive tract. They only become potentially pathogenic if they are introduced to the respiratory tracts. This explains why the areas of water at risk of Legionella are essentially the shower heads in sanitary installations. Legionella develop well at temperatures between 20-50°C. It is therefore commonly acknowledged that the Legionella problem is linked to hot water. Existing systems tackle the problem of hot water only. This is a big mistake: all distribution networks of sanitary water comprise a loop of hot water, around 55°C, and pipes of cold water, which are necessary to bring the temperature to an agreeable level for the human body, between 35 and 40°C. Thus, untreated cold water pipes constitute a permanent threat with the proliferation of bacteria, together with the mixing points, to create a place of outbreak perfectly suited for Legionella. It follows that cold water should be treated as often as hot water.
The Waterclean System is a ready-to-install, compact piece of kit. It is a preventative heat treatment solution that raises the total temperature of sanitary water to 65°C for several minutes – via a disinfection heat exchanger and holding chamber – which ensures the elimination of bacteria. A second exchanger can deliver output of one part hot water ‘assured’ for the loop, and another part cold water ‘assured’ for the usage supply points and PERL – both free of bacteria.
Also, the Waterclean System has a ‘healing mode’ which, over time and through correct use, allows the purification of an existing network. The Waterclean System is therefore suited to the market for new users and for refurbishments. The anti-burn cartridges anticipated for each point of water capture as well as the remote management mechanism, complete the product offering to assure a maximum level of security for users and of traceability for the management.
This bacteria mainly affects people who have a compromised immune system. For the first time, this new system will be a priority for care homes, rest homes and hospital establishments. The Waterclean System will become commercial in spring 2009 but is already installed in a test site at the Centre Hospitalier Specialise de Savoie, a psychiatric hospital in Bassens, France. Fully capable of monitoring certain parameters, it is the subject of regular tests – and samples are analysed by the CNRL (the national research centre for Legionella, based at Hospices Civils in Lyon, France), an international reference centre in the fight against Legionella. Reports made over the last year prove the effectiveness of the equipment in both a preventative and curative function.
Research teams at CIAT group have also committed to this major innovation, which conforms with good environmental management. The system uses no chemicals or consumables. The equipment minimises energy cost and is registered to HQE (‘High Quality Environment’) standards.
All phases of Waterclean’s study and design were achieved in-house by its Exchanger Division, with support from CIAT Group’s research centre. However the experimental installation tests have been done through the CNRL (National Centre for Legionella Research).
