After 20 plus years working in the healthcare industry, we have seen a shift that requires more than just a plumbing service.

All Planned Preventative ( PPM ) Reactive work and hospital asset maintenance, is managed with our business preferred system, simPRO. Full asset histories, details of due services and the attachment of manuals, are available to the office and our field staff, at any time, to drive an efficient workflow. While onsite, technicians will use the simPRO Mobile Connect Application on their phones to capture test readings, register any new assets, follow service level checklists, report defects, make notes and take photos.

24-hour availability, training in problem-solving and innovation and the know-how required to execute a shutdown with minimal disruption to the hospital’s operations, in an often sensitive work and live environment. We will fully scope, plan and liaise with all stakeholders, site engineers and facilities managers, to safely and efficiently complete the works involved.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Snap Plumbing’s safety management plan systems, align with legislative and industry best practice requirements. Our systems are summarised as - site co-ordination and site procedures, high-risk work (including electrical tagout procedures), plant operator competency, safety awareness training and risk assessment, and personal protective equipment requirements.

We are committed to providing a quality service in a manner that ensures a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and minimises our potential impact on the environment. We operate in compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and strive to use pollution prevention and environmental best practices.

Designing Systems for Safety

Safety codes require that all piping, fittings, and valves used to transport and deliver medical gas, water and waste must be prepared to exacting Australian Standards. It requires our industry partners, clients and ourselves, to work together to solve hydraulic and compliance issues including water quality reporting, management plans, dead leg audits, drainage stacks, water mains and fire hydrant replacements, RO units, pumps and tanks installations and asset maintenance.

Access to Different Types of Water

Many medical facilities require access to purified water to ensure the accuracy of test results and the health and safety of patients. Hot water heating systems must also be precisely calibrated to reduce the risk to everyone in these environments. Installing systems to purify water and to prevent contamination and backflow can significantly enhance workflows. Snap Plumbing are experienced and can provide the right sanitary management solutions to ensure the best access for hospital employees and patients.

Managing Waste Issues

Wastewater and other chemicals can create serious sanitary issues if released without proper remediation and treatment. The right solutions provide protection for the environment while ensuring the safety and well-being of staff, patients and the general public.

Repair and Replacement Services

Regular inspections and asset management are conducted to keep older infrastructure and plumbing fixtures in good repair. Taking steps to replace aging pipes, fittings and fixtures prevent breakdowns that could prove costly to repair and dangerous for patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. By investing in an experienced hospital maintenance plumber, we will ensure continuity of operations, both now and in the future.

What is Backflow?

Backflow is a reversal of the normal direction of water flow in a water supply plumbing system. It occurs when the water delivery main is at a lower pressure than the internal plumbing system (back siphonage). Back siphonage can occur when there is a burst or ruptured water main, or due to excessive demand during fire-fighting operations. A backflow prevention device or air gap is used to protect a potable water supply (drinking water) from pollution or contamination.

Stay Compliant

The Water Corporation stipulates annual testing of all backflow prevention devices.
It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure they are compliant by having your backflow prevention devices risk assessed and checked every year.

After Snap Plumbing have tested your properties backflow valve device, we will diarise the annual testing date for the following year. The Water Corporation will send a letter and our office will also send a reminder when it is due to be serviced again.

Testing

When a Snap Plumbing authorised Backflow Device Prevention specialist visits your property, they will check the condition of each part of the device. One or more of the valve device parts may require replacement to ensure the device is working properly.

The backflow device must be easily accessible for the backflow technician to test and repair. Some devices have drain ports and it is essential that these are able to drain freely without causing a problem or damaging nearby infrastructure.

Snap Plumbing’s testing kits are calibrated as per AS2845.3:2010. All testing, repairs, replacements, modifications and installations are completed as per AS3500.1:2018; AS2845.3:2010; Water Corporation WA requirements (Water Services Regulations 2013).

Online Lodgement direct to the Water Corporation

The Backflow test reports completed by our certified and,licenced technicians, will be lodged online directly to the Water Corporation. Snap Plumbing have customised test reports with our business name and logo mentioned on their customers copies, that the Snap Plumbing office will send you a copy for your records.

Installations

A backflow device needs to be installed in an accessible area with isolating valves, in addition to an inline strainer that reduces the chances of foreign materials entering the device.

There are many considerations when installing a backflow device, a correct risk rating needs to be done, pressure ratings, temperature ratings, the brand of device and where it is to be installed.

Our technician will discuss these considerations with you so you can make an informed decision.

Repairs

Backflow valve seals need to be watertight and able to withstand pressures of up to 1500kpa. Devices also contain spring mechanisms which can lose their tension strength over time, causing the valve to fail.

All backflow devices at some point in their life will require repair work. There are many components and each part needs to be checked, including its correct tolerance tension and general condition. It is also essential that all components are re-assembled using the correct tools and method, to ensure the correct operation of the device after the repair visit.