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Hot water and legionella questions for the Heating and plumbing services (HAPS) specialist test

5 free questions on Hot water and legionella, from section E. Specialist: HVACR – heating and plumbing services. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Medium ·Link to this question (question 1)

A water hygiene plan asks you to check the sentinel outlets.

What are sentinel outlets?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Any outlets that are painted red for safety
  2. B. The overflow pipes outside the building
  3. C. The nearest and furthest outlets from the tanks
  4. D. The outlets fitted with the newest taps in the building
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. They are picked by distance from the tanks.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. They are the nearest and furthest outlets.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE describes sentinel outlets as the nearest and furthest outlets from hot and cold water cylinders and tanks.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. They are picked by distance from the tanks.

Explanation

Sentinel outlets are the nearest and furthest outlets from cylinders and tanks, used for temperature checks.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

A client asks why you are fitting mixing valves to some taps.

Above what tap temperature does HSE say there is a risk of scalding?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. 70°C, as anything cooler is always safe
  2. B. 90°C, as only near-boiling water scalds
  3. C. There is no risk from tap water
  4. D. 44°C
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. The risk starts above 44°C.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. The risk starts above 44°C.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Water above 44°C can scald.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says there is a risk of scalding where water comes out of taps above 44°C.

Explanation

Water above 44°C can scald. Where vulnerable people use baths or showers, fit a Type 3 TMV.

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Question 3

Harder ·Link to this question (question 3)

You carry out monthly temperature checks for a client's legionella control scheme.

How long should records of monitoring results be kept?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. At least 5 years
  2. B. One week
  3. C. Three months
  4. D. They don't need to be kept at all
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says records of monitoring inspection results should be kept for at least 5 years.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Keep monitoring records at least 5 years.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Keep monitoring records at least 5 years.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Keep monitoring records at least 5 years.

Explanation

Keep legionella monitoring records for at least 5 years.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

A small firm with 6 employees runs a hot water system that needs a legionella risk assessment.

What must it do with the findings?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Tell the cleaner
  2. B. Record the significant findings
  3. C. Keep them in someone's head, as small firms needn't write anything
  4. D. Post them to the water firm
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. With 5 or more employees, they must be recorded.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says if you have 5 or more employees, you have to record any significant findings of the risk assessment.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. With 5 or more employees, the significant findings must be recorded.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. They must be recorded by the firm.

Explanation

With 5 or more employees, record the significant findings of the legionella risk assessment.

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Question 5

Medium ·Link to this question (question 5)

A building's hot water system has been extended to a new wing.

What does HSE say about the legionella risk assessment?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Throw it away
  2. B. Wait for someone to fall ill
  3. C. Review it after significant changes
  4. D. Leave it, as it was done when the building opened
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Review and update it.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Review it after significant changes, before anyone falls ill.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says review the risk assessment if there are significant changes, such as the water system being extended.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Review it after significant changes.

Explanation

Review the legionella risk assessment when the system changes significantly.

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