Attachment 3 SOP 138-21-31.pdf
PDF 137 KB Posted
- Attached to
- F103--Water Cooling Tower Testing, Treatment, and Maintenance for VA Palo Alto Health Care System
- Solicitation number
- 36C26126Q0533
About this file
This document is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP 138-21-31) establishing water treatment guidelines for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The SOP, effective December 9, 2021, with recertification scheduled for December 31, 2026, is governed by the Chief of Engineering Service and owned by the Maintenance and Repair Supervisor. The procedure establishes mandatory protocols for treating cooling towers in both open and closed-loop HVAC systems to prevent bacteria growth while maintaining water safety compliance with industry standards.
The core operational requirements mandate weekly testing and recording of open and closed-loop cooling towers, including pH levels, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of incoming tower water, and Organophosphonate levels. Chemical composition adjustments are calculated based on differences in TDS and Organophosphonate readings, with microbiocide chemicals altered as needed based on bacteria readings. Monthly inspections and testing of chilled water, heating hot water, and condenser water closed-loops are also required, with chemical additions as necessary. The procedure assigns oversight and compliance responsibility to the Maintenance and Repair Supervisor under VHA, ASHRAE, and NFPA guidelines, while the Air Conditioning Shop Supervisor manages the cooling tower and closed-loop maintenance program, with authority to hire contractors to maintain compliance during staffing shortages. The document references ASHRAE guidelines on Legionellosis risk minimization and NFPA Standard 214 on water-cooling towers. A Director's Memorandum rescinding the previous 2008 water treatment policy (HCSM No. 138-18-31) is included, effective the same date as this SOP.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment 2 General Duty Clause Section 5a1.pdf | ||
| 36C26126Q0533.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment 4 SOP 138-21-05.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1 VHA DIRECTIVE 1061.4.pdf | ||
| Draft PWS HVAC Cooling Tower and Loop Service.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING WATER TREATMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
SOP 138-21-31
VA Palo Alto Health Care System Palo Alto, CA 94304
Signatory Authority:
Chief of Engineering Service
Responsible Owner:
Maintenance and Repair (M&R) Supervisor
1. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY
Service Line:
Engineering Service
Effective Date:
December 9, 2021
Recertification Date:
December 31, 2026
This standard operating procedure (SOP) establishes guidelines to govern the water treatment of the cooling towers to prevent bacteria growth in VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) open and closed loop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Engineering Service will comply with water treatment industry standards and maintain a high-quality level of water safety.
2. PROCEDURES
a. Each open or closed-loop HVAC cooling tower will be tested weekly, and test results shall be recorded. Testing will be conducted and recorded for the following:
(1) pH level of water
(2) Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of incoming tower water; and
(3) Testing for Organophosphonate level.
b. The difference in readings of TDS and Organophosphonate levels will be used to calculate and adjust chemical composition of the cooling tower water.
c. A bacteria reading will be taken and depending on the results, the microbiocide chemicals will be altered to maintain the prevention of bacteria in the water.
d. Applicable meters will be read to document water and sewage usage levels at the facility.
DECEMBER 9, 2021 SOP 138-21-31
e. Chilled water, heating hot water, and condenser water closed-loops will be inspected and tested monthly. The readings will be recorded and chemicals will be added as necessary.
3. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
a.The Maintenance and Repair Supervisor is responsible for oversight and compliance of the monitoring requirements as required by VHA, ASHRAE, and NFPA guidelines.
b.The Air Conditioning Shop Supervisor is responsible for the cooling tower and closed loop maintenance program. If staffing shortages exist, the supervisor will hire a contractor to perform work to maintain compliance.
4. DEFINITIONS
a.COOLING TOWER (OPEN): The mechanical system to remove of heat from a chilled water system that passes directly through the condenser vessel and then is exposed to air when it passes through the cooling tower for evaporative cooling b.COOLING TOWER (CLOSED): Similar in design to the open loop tower, but the water that passes through the condenser is sealed and pressurized (closed loop), and a separate body of water passes over the tubes causing a heat exchange and thus, removal of heat.
c. CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM: Refers to a chilled water, heating hot water, or heat rejection loop that is sealed and pressurized and treated by use of a chemical jar or pot feeder.
5. REFERENCES
a. ASH RAE guidelines: Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems.
b. NFPA Standard 214: Standard on Water-Cooling Tower Latest Edition.
6. REVIEW
This SOP must be reviewed at recertification and including when there are changes to service-level privacy assessments.
7. RECERTIFICATION
This SOP is scheduled for recertification on or before the last working day of December 2026. This SOP will continue to serve as local policy until it is recertified or rescinded. In
DECEMBER 9, 2021 SOP 138-21-31
the event of contradiction with national policy, the national policy supersedes and controls.
8. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY
Digitally signed by JAMES
JAMES P. P. CROWE 1726175
CROWE 1726175 Date: 2021.12.10 16:45:51 -0800'
James P. Crowe Chief of Engineering Service Date Approved:
NOTE: The signature remains valid until rescinded by an appropriate administrative action.
DISTRIBUTION: SOPs are available at https://dvadov.sharepoint.com/sites/PAL/memoranda/Pades/Policies.aspx.
NOTE: This is an internal VA website that is not available to the public.
RESCISSION OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MEMORANDUM (HCSM) NO. 138-18-31,
OPERATING ROOM HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING WATER
TREATMENT POLICY
VA Palo Alto Health Care System Palo Alto, CA 94304
Signatory Authority:
VA Palo Alto Health Care System Director
Director's Memorandum 138-18-31R
Rescinded Document:
HCSM No. 138-18-31, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning water Treatment Policy, dated September 1, 2008 (Issue August 1,2018)
Effective Date:
December 9, 2021
1.By direction of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) Director, 138-18- 31, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Water Treatment Policy, dated September 1, 2008, is rescinded.
2. The information has been moved to standard operating procedure. It is available at:
https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/PAL/memoranda/Pages/Policies.aspx.
3. This Director's Memorandum will be archived as of December 2022. However, the rescission information will remain in effect.
4. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY
Lisa M. Howard VA Palo Alto Health Care System Director Date Approved:
NOTE: The signature remains valid until rescinded by an appropriate administrative action.
DISTRIBUTION: Rescissions are available at:
https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/PAL/memoranda/Pages/Policies.aspx
NOTE: This is an internal VA website that is not available to the public.
| Page 1 |
| Page 2 |
| Page 3 |
| Page 4 |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .