Page 626 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

● If the system is being decommissioned for a short period, ensure that
warning notices are placed at the appliances to prevent accidental usage
while you are working on the system.
● Inform the customer of the length of time you expect the system to be out
of action.
● If possible, arrange for decommissioning to be completed outside normal
working hours to minimise disruption to users and residents.
● Arrange for alternative welfare facilities, such as portaloos and temporary
showering accommodation, if the system is going to be out of commission
for long periods.
● Always wear an appropriate level of PPE and conduct a risk assessment.

Permanent and temporary decommissioning

Decommissioning can be either temporary or permanent.

Temporary decommissioning
Temporary decommissioning is usually carried out when replacing bathroom
suites or updating soil stacks and vent pipes.

General points to consider:
● Pipework should be properly capped or plugged with purpose-made fittings
to prevent smells from infiltrating the building.
● Keep the customer informed of the probable length of time the system will
be out of use.
● Keep mess and disruption to a minimum, and always clear away any waste or
unwanted materials.

Permanent decommissioning
Permanent decommissioning is usually carried out when a soil and vent stack is
being removed and not replaced. In this case, the stack and all appliances should
be removed, and the drain properly capped at ground level.

Health hazards working with drainage

systems

Weil’s disease
Weil’s disease is an acute human form of a bacterial infection with an array of
different names – it is also known as mud fever, swamp fever, haemorrhagic
jaundice, swineherd’s disease and sewerman’s flu.
Weil’s disease is also known as leptospirosis and is caught through contact
with infected animal urine, mainly from rodents which are found in drains, and
typically enters the body through cuts, scrapes, or the lining of the nose, mouth,
throat or eyes. This disease kills up to two or three people a year in Britain
because the correct precautions and PPE have not been used or put in place.

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