[Timothy Richardson MCIAT MCIOB]

As an Accredited Conservationist working heavily in the Almshouse field and with over 37 year experience I have never yet come across a council that has not accepted double glazing in one form or another. The usual reason for rejection is a poorly specified solution or a weak or poor Heritage Statement and lack of justification. Happy to have a look at this and give you my opinion.

Regards

Tim

tim@timothyrichardson.co.uk

[Timothy Richardson MCIAT MCIOB]

Hi All,

As an accredited and certificated Legionella Risk Assessor I would stick my neck out and say that I have never in the last 17 years seen single Almshouse which required this to be done. “testing” the water for bacteria particularly from a mains source will tell you the bacteria concentration at that time on that day. Given the right circumstances the bacteria multiplies exponentially so a low count at 9am could be millions of times higher by 5pm. Testing is only ever needed in large multiple occupancy buildings or healthcare settings where there may be some doubt as to the effectiveness of the controls.

If the right control measures are in place i.e. cold water below 10 degrees and hot above 50 degrees the bacteria cannot grow and testing is pointless.

I do know of some legionella contractors, however who treat all Almshouses the same as Nursing Homes and recommend much higher levels if action than the law or HSE required.

Of course a Legionella Risk Assessment IS required for all properties with water and regular checks on temperature will also always be needed.

Tim

Tim Richardson MCIAT MCIOB FSAI MRICS MEI MIFSM AWMSoc WMSoc Cert

Chartered Architectural Technologist, Chartered Construction Manager, Chartered Building Surveyor, CIAT-Accredited Conservationist
Accredited Domestic Energy Assessor
Registered Fire Risk Assessor
Accredited & Certified Legionella Risk Assessor

[Timothy Richardson MCIAT MCIOB]

As it stands the policy statement from August 2024 gave registered providers with under 50 units 4 years to comply. This is not an answer by any means but does mean that you should have until August 2028 to decide what to do – de-register or see if another exemption is forthcoming.

[Timothy Richardson MCIAT MCIOB]

Yes, the bill is wordy but the requirements for qualified staff are only for “Registered providers”.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Tim Richardson.

[Timothy Richardson MCIAT MCIOB]

That’s good then, so the majority of small Almshouses are unaffected and those that are currently Registered Providers should de-register. Simple enough.

[Timothy Richardson MCIAT MCIOB]

My understanding was that this only applies to “Registered Providers” which the majority of smaller Almshouses are not. Many have also de-registered over the years too. If this applied to every Almshouse I guess it would finish off the majority of them.

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