36C25220R0053-004.docx

Industry Standards and Specifications

Project: 537-18-301B – Legionella Corrections

Project Description: Eliminate dead ends prone to harboring legionella growth in the potable water system and installing mixing valves for scalding prevention at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.

Trade: Plumbing: Contractors in this industry may provide both parts and labor when performing work. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs.

NAICS 238220: Plumbing Contractor

Project Impact to Public Health: Improper plumbing can result in the introduction of pathogenic organisms into drinking water and the escape of toxic gases into the environment. These outcomes have the potential to lead to disease and adverse health effects.

Facility Responsibilities: Per VHA Directive 1061 Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Legionella Disease and Scald Injury from Potable Water Distribution Systems, the VHA Facility Chief Engineer, Facility Manager, or equivalent is responsible for:

a) Assessing and documenting competency of contractors and the contractor’s personnel as part of the acquisition process prior to the start of any work on facility water systems, including water treatment. Competencies must be re-assessed on an on-going basis, or whenever there is a change in contractors or the contractor’s personnel performing the work. At a minimum, the contractor’s competency should be assessed and documented on an annual basis

Industry Standards, Licenses and Certifications

Federal Regulation: Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. This act authorizes EPA to set national standards for drinking water to protect against health effects from exposure to naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants.

Application of SDWA to Federal Agencies: The 1996 SDWA amendments clarified that Federal agencies engaged in certain activities, such as owning or operating a public water system, must comply with all federal, state, interstate, and local safe drinking water requirements.

The 1996 SDWA amendments clearly express EPA ’s administrative penalty authority over federal agencies in section 1447, 42 U.S.C. §300j-6. SDWA section 1447 provides the blanket authority for EPA to issue penalty orders to federal agencies for violations of any requirement of the SDWA or a requirement or schedule imposed by an administrative compliance order, an imminent and substantial endangerment order, or other administrative order issued under the SDWA.

https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/safe-drinking-water-act-sdwa-and-federal-facilities

EPA works with states, localities, and water suppliers who carry out these standards.

State Regulation: Illinois Department of Public Health has general supervision of the interests of the health and lives of the people of the State.

Department of Public Health rules: Illinois Plumbing Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 890)

Local Regulation: City of Chicago Department of Building Code. VA is to “consider” local building codes and can receive local recommendations regarding local codes. However, VA does not have any obligation to follow the City Building Code.

Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320/3) (from Ch. 111, par. 1103): The employees of a firm, association, partnership or corporation who engage in plumbing shall be licensed plumbers or licensed apprentice plumbers. At least one member of every firm, association or partnership engaged in plumbing work, and at least one corporate officer of every corporation engaged in plumbing work, as the case may be, shall be a licensed plumber. A retired plumber cannot fulfill the requirements of this subsection (3). Plumbing contractors are also required to be registered pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

The state requires that anyone whose work affects the public health and safety shall have adequate knowledge and training.

https://plumbingcouncil.org/illinois-plumbing-laws/licensing

To protect public health, the Illinois Department of Public Health regulates plumbers and the plumbing trade by maintaining a minimum code of standards for plumbing practices. Individuals who plan, inspect, install, alter, extend, repair, and maintain plumbing systems in state of Illinois must be licensed.

Under the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320), the Department licenses plumbers, plumbing contractors, plumbers’ apprentices, irrigation contractors and retired plumbers.

http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/plumbing

List of Licensed Plumbing Contractors (City of Chicago) http://webapps1.chicago.gov/plumbingContractorsWeb/?3

Plumber License Search (Illinois Department of Public Health) https://plumblicv5pub.dph.illinois.gov/Clients/ILDOHPlumb/Public/Verification/Plumber_License_Verification.aspx