The Value of Latest Industry Best Practice

Industry best practice infers a way of operating that is integrated, current, relevant and technically sound. As thought leaders we are very excited by the opportunities that best practice enables. There is a significant emphasis placed on ‘latest best industry practice’; indeed it can be said that only the latest is best practice. This presents a moving target whereby best practice today is not the same as best practice ten years ago. Our Risk Management Plans update you on the latest best practice in the industry.

In terms of managing your risk and deploying industry best practice, the following are some examples of subject matter areas that might be helpful to you:

Engineering Performance Cleans

Q: WHAT IS AN ENGINEERING PERFORMANCE CLEAN?
A: From our perspective at RMP Systems, it is a clean where, through various methods, the cooling tower is put back into optimum operating condition, which ensures your firm is exercising the required duty of care that is implied in the legislation.

Q: WHAT DOES THIS ENTAIL?
A: It is a clean in which, if components are damaged or biofouled, they are either replaced, or overhauled and put in best practice working order (dependent on what is reasonable for the plant in question). This needs to be undertaken by experienced specialists who can draw on a reservoir of in-field capability.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF THINGS ARE OVERHAULED?
A: For example, if the fan motor supports are damaged, they are replaced, or if the cooling tower pack is damaged and biofouled, it is cleaned and replaced as appropriate.

Q: WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?
A: In addition to reducing Legionella risks, it increases the life and reliability of mission critical assets, heading off expensive interruptions to plant operations, as well as improving heat transfer efficiencies. This considerably improves peace of mind and generally makes good economic sense.

Preventative Maintenance of Chemical Dosing Systems

Q: WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
A: It is the second biggest cause of Legionella outbreaks.

Q: WHY DOES MY CHEMICAL DOSING SYSTEM NEED PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE?
A: Often chemical dosing systems are run until they breakdown, then there is a reactive maintenance program. Often the life of dosing system consumables is known and can be incorporated into a Model Water Treatment Program.

Q

WHY DOESN’T MY WATER TREATMENT COMPANY DO THIS ANYWAY?

A

Often water treatment companies quote to get the business, competing on a tender process that does not clearly specify a proactive maintenance program. In our experience, when systems break down due to the lack of a proactive maintenance program, there can be a significant delay in sourcing and fitting dosing system components. Ideally a Preventative Maintenance Program would also include calibration of new and existing components.

Invariably the safety of your water treatment program and the security of your system depends on the quality of your last service call, and the verifications and rapid follow up for any faults with your dosing systems.

A Model Approach To Water Treatment

Q: WHAT IS A MODEL WATER TREATMENT PROGRAM?
A: Many critical systems need advanced systems to run them. The Model Water Treatment Program recognises that this is also true for Cooling Towers. At its simplest level, it can be a series of complementary, interlocking verifications so that you as a system manager have clearer visibility and control.

Q: WHAT DIFFERENCE COULD IT MAKE TO OUR OPERATIONS?
A: Our experience is that this can make a significant difference. A systematic approach ensures reproducible results, and ensures duty of care. On the operational side, it can help reduce corrosion rates and increase system reliability. We suggest that these KPI’s are also integrated into a Model Water Treatment Program. The link between corrosion and Legionella is extremely strong. Short term measures that corrode your cooling tower leave you open to increased Legionella risk down the track. Our view is that it is a small investment which will significantly reduce risk and increase the effectiveness of your systems.

Q: WHY RMP SYSTEMS?
A: As a technical leader in the industry, our vision is to build the very best water management systems in the world. We act as facilitators, using a helpful and integrated approach to assist you in evolving your cooling tower systems to not only be the BEST, but to provide you with increased visibility and understanding. We do this through the provision of timely, clear information to enable proactive management and thus preventing a default to reactive, crisis management.