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Water hygiene questions for the Services and facilities maintenance (SAF) specialist test

5 free questions on Water hygiene, from section E. Specialist: HVACE – services and facilities maintenance. 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)

You check water temperatures in an office block.

What should cold water be kept below, where possible?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. 37°C, close to body temperature
  2. B. 45°C
  3. C. 20°C
  4. D. 30°C
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That helps legionella grow.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. That is warm enough for legionella.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says cold water systems should be kept below 20°C where possible.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The figure is 20°C.

Explanation

Keep cold water below 20°C, store hot at 60°C and reach 50°C at outlets within a minute.

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Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

You check hot water temperatures in a building.

What should hot water be stored at?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. About 30°C
  2. B. About 40°C, to save energy
  3. C. Below 20°C
  4. D. At least 60°C
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That is far too low.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. That is in the range legionella likes.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That is the cold water figure.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says hot water should be stored at 60°C or more.

Explanation

Store hot water at 60°C or more.

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Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

You choose outlets for monthly temperature checks.

Which are the sentinel outlets?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. The nearest and furthest from the tanks
  2. B. The busiest taps in the building
  3. C. Any taps that have just had new washers fitted
  4. D. Outside taps only
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

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

Explanation

Sentinel outlets are the nearest and furthest outlets from cylinders and tanks.

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Question 4

Harder ·Link to this question (question 4)

You keep a building's legionella records.

How long should monitoring inspection records be kept?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Until the next check
  2. B. At least 5 years
  3. C. One month
  4. D. Six months
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

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

Explanation

Keep legionella monitoring records for at least 5 years.

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Question 5

Medium ·Link to this question (question 5)

A new wing is added to a building's water system.

What should happen to the legionella risk assessment?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It should be thrown away
  2. B. Only the new wing needs one
  3. C. It should be reviewed
  4. D. Nothing, it never expires
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

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

Explanation

Review the legionella risk assessment after significant changes.

Study

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