Toilet and Washing Facilities

November 2016 1 Scope: EMLC Academy Trust & Academies within the Trust Version: FINAL Filename: EMLC Academy Trust Water Policy

Approval: Next Review: Ratified by the Strategic Board on 14th To be reviewed annually December 2016 Owner: Union Status: EMLC Academy Trust Strategic Board Not Applicable

Policy type:

Statutory Replaces Academy’s current policy

November 2016 2 Water Policy

In implementing a water policy in its academies, EMLC AT will conform with Regulation 9 of the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 which covers the provision of water within academies and schools. Guidance has been taken from DfE Advice on standards for school premises (March 2015) encompassing the School Premises Regulations (2012) (SPR) and the Education (Independent School Standards) as amended in 2012.

This policy includes: -

 Toilet and Washing Facilities

 Drinking Water

 Water Temperature

 Legionellosis

Toilet and Washing Facilities

School Premises Regulation (SPR) 4 states that: -

 suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils

 separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 years or over must be provided except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time

 where separate facilities are provided for pupils who are disabled, they may also be used by other pupils, teachers and others employed at the school, and visitors, whether or not they are disabled

 suitable changing accommodation and showers must be provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education

 hand washing facilities are provided within or in the immediate vicinity of every toilet

 the rooms containing them are adequately ventilated and lit

 they are located in areas around the school that provide easy access for pupils and allow for informal supervision by staff, without compromising pupils’ privacy

November 2016 3 Toilets and urinals should have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities should have an adequate supply of hot and cold water.

Where there is unisex provision (under ISS 23A (1) (b) or SPR 4 (2)), the privacy of the occupant needs to be ensured and this will be achieved by, for example, having adequate enclosure and a full height door.

Numbers of fittings

The regulations do not set the minimum number of fittings to be provided in relation to the ages and numbers of pupils. Generally, the needs of younger pupils are likely to be greater than those for older ones. So, for example, a provision of one toilet and washbasin for every ten pupils under 5 years old would be adequate, while that ratio could be doubled for pupils aged 5-11 to one toilet and washbasin for every 20 pupils. For pupils over 11 one toilet per 20 pupils would be sufficient, but there is scope to reduce the number of washbasins where the washing facilities are shared.

Facilities for disabled pupils

Each toilet for disabled pupils needs to contain one toilet and one washbasin (and possibly a shower or other wash down fitting) and have a door opening directly onto a circulation space that is not a staircase and which can be secured from the inside. Where possible, the number and location of accessible toilets will be sufficient to ensure a reasonable travel distance for users that does not involve changing floor levels.

Changing accommodation and showers for pupils

It is preferable for showers to be in areas separated from toilets and they need to provide adequate privacy. Consideration may also be given to providing changing rooms, with or without showers, at primary schools for pupils who need to wear sports kit for physical education, but this is not required under the regulations.

Toilets and washing facilities for staff

Toilets and washing facilities for staff may be also be used by visitors. They should be separate from those provided for pupils, except where they are designed for use by those who are disabled.

Drinking water

EMLC AT will conform to the advice on standards for school premises, linked to the above, that drinking water facilities need to be kept clean, in good working order and the outlets need to be clearly marked ‘drinking water’.

November 2016 4 The regulations state no requirement to supply water in the classroom. However, it does state that drinking water must be:

 Readily accessible at all times when the premises are in use

 In a separate area from the toilet facilities

Tanked supplies can be difficult to maintain in good condition, and so it is generally preferable if drinking water supplies in academies can be connected directly to the cold water main.

Water temperatures

The guidance states that the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users. It shows that 43°C is generally the maximum temperature for hot water in baths and showers. This is required for pupils with severe disabilities. It also suggests limiting hot water to this temperature in nursery and primary school wash basins.

It says that distribution temperatures and legionella controls need to comply with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The following guidance for checking hot water temperatures to reduce the risk of legionellosis (legionnaires' disease), caused by legionella bacteria must be followed:

Legionellosis

Under the Health and Safety Act and the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, EMLC AT academies are legally obliged to record water temperatures on a monthly basis.

Every month the temperature from the school’s hot taps needs to be checked and recorded. This can be done in rotation, choosing a different start point, or sentinel tap, each time.

 Start with the tap at the furthest point from the boiler. This will be known as the ‘sentinel tap’

 Turn on the sentinel tap

 Hold the thermometer under the hot tap for one minute

 The temperature should have reached at least 50ºC

 Note and record the actual temperature reached

 If the temperature is below 50ºC advise the bursar/site manager who will instigate the necessary remedial action

November 2016 5 Mixer or blender valves ensure water temperatures at the outlet do not exceed 45 degrees centigrade. Where such valves are fitted the temperature of the hot water should therefore be checked at the calorifier outlet, and should be at least 60 degrees centigrade at that point.

Also required is a monthly record of the temperatures being achieved by the boiler or calorifier.

 Identify the temperature gauges on the calorifier

 Take and record the temperature of the flow from the calorifier

 Take and record the temperature of the return to the calorifier

 The flow temperature from the calorifier should exceed 60ºC

 If the flow temperature is below 60ºC advise the bursar/site manager who will instigate the necessary remedial action

To ensure the cold water temperatures are posing no risk of bacterial proliferation the cold water outlets must be checked monthly as well.

 Identify a programme to check the temperature at each cold water outlet on a rotational basis

 Allow the sentinel tap to run for up to two minutes with the thermometer in the water flow

 The temperature should not exceed 20ºC

 Note and record the actual temperature

 If the cold water temperature exceeds 20ºC advise the bursar/site manager who will instigate remedial action

Every six months a record needs to be taken of the water temperature in the cold water storage tank. This can be achieved as follows:

 Identify location of cold water storage tanks

 Ensure that access does not constitute a health and safety risk

 Remove tank lid

 Check the water temperature remote from the ball valve, record the temperature

 Check the temperature of the mains water entering the tank from the mains, record the temperature

 If fitted record the minimum and maximum temperatures registered on min/max thermometer

November 2016 6  Replace the tank lids

All temperature records should include:

 The location of the outlet or tank

 The actual temperature

 Who carried out the check

 Date and time of the check

 Any issues identified

 Action taken

November 2016 7