a cure for water damage in hospitals & hc facilities_web

8/21/2019 A Cure for Water Damage in Hospitals & HC Facilities_WEB

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Risk Engineering: Understanding risk across your business

A cure for water damage inhospitals and healthcare facilities


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At Zurich Services Corporation, we are focused on helping customers mitigate

losses and get back to business quickly. This is particularly true in the healthcare

industry, where a loss at a hospital can affect not only revenues, but more importantly,

the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff.

Focused on helping our customers

That is why we developed this brochure/kit, which helps

identify water damage exposures, the leading cause of

property losses in hospitals. It helps risk managers, safety

managers and other key hospital professionals gain

control over the primary exposures that cause potentially

paralyzing losses. This program kit also provides important

loss control information, tips and checklists to help prepare

for a common and potentially devastating type of loss.

Use the programs steps and recommendations to develop

a loss control plan to help protect your hospital from

disruptive and potential expensive losses, keeping facilities

running smoothly and efficiently. Work with your ZurichServices Corporation risk engineering professional to

determine the most effective ways to apply the tools

included here to reduce your exposure to water damage.


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Hospital claims by number

This means there is nearly a 50 percent chance that the

next property claim will be water-related and if it is, it will

cost, on average, three times as much as a claim that

doesnt involve water damage. The high dollar amounts

can result from payment for cleaning high valued and

critical electronic diagnostic and treatment machines such

as MRIs, accelerators, simulators and cardiac monitors.

Patient services can be delayed or scheduled with otherproviders until the equipment is properly cleaned

and tested.

Preventing these losses and taking quick and effective

action when leaks occur can help to drastically reduce

the number and size of losses. Reducing the likelihood of

such incidents also minimizes the disruption to hospital

operations and its critical human resources.

Water damage can originate from a number

of sources:

Domestic water lines and systems

Drains and drain lines Sewage systems

Cooling and heating piping and radiators

Sprinkler piping

Flooding

Hospital claims by loss dollars

Piping and other systems in older hospitals are more

prone to failure, and greater maintenance and testing is

needed to assure the integrity of the pipe, fittings and

equipment. Some areas of the country have public or

private water supplies containing certain minerals that

increase the corrosion rate of water. Proper water

treatment, system maintenance and testing the integrity of

systems must be practiced in such areas. Pipe breaks oftenoccur during earthquakes. Hospitals in earthquake-prone

areas should be prepared for leaks and breaks.

When leaks do occur, immediate and proper action is vital

to preventing further damage and assuring a faster return

to normal services.

The leading cause of property losses in hospitals and other healthcare facilities

is from liquid damage. A review of Zurich claims data* highlights the problem.

*Claims data is based on a review of water damage claims from 2002-2011.

The Problem

43%

57%

Liquid damage claims

37%

63%

All others

There is nearly a 50 percent

chance that the next property

claim will be water-related and ifit is, it will cost, on average, three

times as much as a claim that

doesnt involve water damage.


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A major leak from a hot water pipe damaged clinical and

outpatient service areas on the first and second floor of a

hospital. The 22-year-old pipe had corroded near a

coupling. Prior evidence of staining indicated that a small

leak was present for some time. Although respondingmaintenance staff was quick to locate and isolate the leak,

damage in excess of $1,500,000 still occurred.

A frozen pipe burst and water leaked down four

floors. The pipe was located just inside an exterior

wall. A contractor working in December on the

exterior wall did not provide protection to the pipe

during the period the wall was opened up. A well-

equipped cleanup and restoration company was

notified immediately, limiting damage to $65,000.

Water leaking from a corroded underground water main

leaked into the basement radiology labs. The hole in the

pipe was located upstream of the main valve. Water

flowed along the outside of the pipe and through the wall

opening for the water main. It took more than four hours

to locate and shut off the water supply valve. During that

time, five feet of water collected in the labs. Damaged

equipment included three accelerators, a simulator,

ultrasound and other diagnostic and treatment equipment.

This radiology lab was not returned to full service for

almost three months resulting in significant business

interruption. The total loss was approximately $14,000,000.

Diesel fuel from an overfilled tank in a mechanical

penthouse flowed down two floors and interrupted a

surgery in progress. The tank was located next to an

emergency generator in the penthouse. The overfill device

was inoperative, and the room was not attended duringthe filling operation. About 50 gallons of diesel fuel

overflowed onto the floor and down through cracks and

unsealed pipe openings to patient areas on the third floor

and then into the surgical room on the second floor. The

tank was not diked and spaces around conduit and pipes

passing though the floors were not sealed as required for

fire-rated floors.

A newly soldered joint on a two-inch copper water line

came apart, spilling water into a radiology area. Water

damaged ceiling tiles, carpeting, walls and an MRImachine. The contractor was pressure testing the line

when the fitting let go. The line was located above the

equipment area. The MRI was down for 11 days.

A two-inch diameter sprinkler pipe separated from its

coupling in the ceiling of the 8th floor. Water from the

failed coupling caused damage to all the floors beneath

the 8th floor. Contents, non-structural building

components, as well as electrical and mechanical

equipment were damaged. Patients were relocated to

accommodate repairs. The business interruption and extra

expense loss was substantial. The approximate total loss

was $7,000,000.

Loss examples

Although responding maintenance staff was

quick to locate and isolate the leak, damage

in excess of $1,500,000 still occurred.


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Reducing the damage from water,sewage and other types of liquids

Complete the following checklists as indicated. Use them to help identifythe risk for liquid damage, detect problems, check for preparedness and

help in the response to any leaks that occur. The forms are also available

on the enclosed CD-ROM.

Hospital self-assessment for prevention of liquid damage and for mitigating liquid damage

1. Complete for each hospital or other major complex.

2. Prepare a written plan that details what to do in the event of a leak or liquid damage. Assign overall

responsibility to a person in authority to oversee the process.

3. Review this plan at least once a year. Several items should be checked quarterly, such as the list ofresponders and the inventory check of materials and equipment needed for leak response and cleanup.

Item Yes No Action/Comments

1. Is there a written plan detailing what to do in the

event of a leak and liquid damage?

2. Is the plan reviewed for changes and discussed at staff

meetings at least quarterly?

3. Has the Checklist for Valuable Equipment Areas

been completed for all areas containing critical

diagnostic and treatment equipment, main telephone

rooms, computer centers, etc.?

4. Is the Checklist for Valuable Equipment Areas

reviewed during the planning or design stage for new

construction, renovation or relocation projects?

5. Is someone immediately available at all times with

authorization (24 hours, 7 days) to call and bring in

the professional cleanup and restoration companies?

6. Are the names and phone numbers for professional

cleanup and restoration companies readily available?

See preferred provider list stored on the enclosed

CD-ROM.

7. Is a trained person available on all shifts to respond

immediately to any leak?

8. Is this list of responders checked at least quarterly

for turnover?


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9. Are all those responding to a leak aware of the

location of valves?

10. Does the staff have immediate access to a spill response

cart or supplies and emergency pipe repair supplies?

11. Is the supply of spill response and pipe repair materialscomplete, readily accessible and checked at least quarterly?

12. Are pipe diagrams or prints up-to-date and showing

the location of valves for all liquid-carrying systems?

Isometric drawings are very beneficial. (Note 1)

13. Are valves placarded or tagged for easy identification?

14. Are shutoff valves exercised (closed and reopened,

lubricated as needed) at least annually to verify they

can be quickly closed during an emergency?.

15. Are small leaks promptly repaired? A small leak may

be a sign of hidden corrosion or other problem withpotential for growing into a catastrophic leak.

16. Is the cause of any leak analyzed to determine if it was

an isolated occurrence or a symptom of a system

wide problem?

17. Are housekeeping personnel instructed to immediately

notify maintenance when any type of dripping,

leakage or clogged drains are found?

18. Is there a lockout/tagout procedure in place when

valves are shut on liquid-carrying systems under repair

or modification?

19. Is there close monitoring of third-party work that

may affect piping systems (sprinklers, water, etc.)?

20. Are there any liquid storage tanks or vessels (hot

water, condensate, boilers, fuel oil, etc.) inside the

building, mechanical penthouse or on the roof?

(sprinklers, water, etc.)?

21. If so, is there a dike around the tank or vessel, and/or

drains to contain or effectively carry away leaking

fluids? Dikes are required around fuel tanks.?

22. Are there any floor openings or cracks through whicha leaking fluid may pass through and damage areas

below? (Note 2)


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23. For basement areas, are there any water mains,

sprinkler mains or liquid utility piping entering

through the walls or floor?

24. Is there any evidence of leakage or seepage through the

wall or floor openings? If so, indicate repair schedule.

25 Is an underground plan of these mains immediately

available, showing the location of shutoff valves? (in

case an underground leak occurs and water flows

through the wall or floor opening) (Note 3)?

26. If any part of the property is exposed to potential

flood, is there a formal flood emergency plan or similar

flood preparation plan?

27. If your hospital is in an earthquake-prone area, has your

automatic sprinkler system been surveyed by a sprinkler

system professional to determine extent of vulnerabilityfor leaks? (Note 4)

28. Are roofs inspected regularly (minimum of every 6

months or after severe storms) to check for damage or

deterioration such as cracking, splitting, blistering,

separation, holes or other potential source of leaks?

29. Are there any roof leaks or evidence of ponding on the

roof? If so, indicate reasons and the repair schedule.

30. Are roof-mounted cooling towers inspected regularly,

and are cooling tower basins watertight? (Note 2)

31. Are there any areas directly adjacent to the building

where rainwater can accumulate during heavy rains?

Large landscaping planters built next to grade wall and

windows are an example where water can pond and

find its way into the building.

Notes:

1. Liquid-carrying systems may include sprinkler systems, hot and cold water piping, chilled water lines for cooling, hot water lines forheating, condensate piping, sewer lines, drain lines, fuel oil piping, etc.

2. Floor openings often occur around penetrations made for pipe and conduit. Seal the open space around the pipe or conduit to preventpassage of a liquid. Often, these are penetrations in concrete floors that are required to be fire-stopped anyway. Use a W-Ratedfire-stopproduct that produces a tight liquid seal. A fire-stop is a UL-listed fire-resistive material used to fill holes in fire-rated floors and walls.Some types resemble caulk.

3. Accurate drawings of the underground water mains are important in a large complex with private mains. A leak may occur in anunderground pipe near a building. There may be a control valve in the basement or just outside the building. Closing this valve may not

stop the leak if the break is upstream of the valve and the water is flowing along the outside of the pipe, then into the building. A plan

showing the location of all valves in the system will be needed to quickly locate another valve to shut and stop the leak.

4.Sprinkler pipes and heads often break during earthquakes as a result of swaying fixtures or ceiling tile systems. Breaks or leaks alsooccur if the sprinkler pipes are not adequately braced per the latest code. In these situations, breaks or leaks occur from excessive pipeswaying or when pipe movement is not in sync with the buildings movement.


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1. Are there any water lines, drains or other liquid piping

in the ceiling directly above the valuable equipment?

2. Do these lines contain fittings, valves or other devices

with connections above the equipment?

3. If they cannot be removed or relocated, what can be

done to determine their integrity?

4. Is there any evidence of leakage? If yes, indicate repair

schedule.

5. On the floor directly above the valuable equipment

room, are there any bathrooms, slop sinks or other

rooms with fixtures or equipment containing water,

steam or other liquids?

6. Is there any evidence of leakage? If so, indicate repair

schedule.

7. Are locations of shutoff valves noted by fixtures or on

a floor diagram?.

8. Are shutoff valves marked and easily accessible?

Checklist for valuableequipment areas

(MRI, CT scan, electron microscope, linear accelerator, simulator, main telephone room, EDP Center, etc.)

Building: Floor:

Area evaluated (department, room number or equipment name)

Instructions:

1. Complete for each valuable equipment area.

2. Prevent potential problems by reviewing while planning/designing new construction, renovation projects or relocation.

Even a small amount of water or other liquid falling on valuable equipment may result in total shutdown until it has been

cleaned, tested and recertified. Its critical to identify sources of water or other liquids located immediately above valuable

equipment areas. Once identified, analyze the potential for leakage and wetting. Take measures to eliminate, reduce or

protect against possible leaks. Basements are the least desirable locations for valuable equipment.


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9. Does the floor directly above the valuable equipment

area contain any poke-throughs (penetrations) for

conduit, pipe, cabling etc., through which water can

flow down onto the equipment?

10. If yes, are the open spaces well sealed to prevent waterpenetration? If not, indicate repair schedule.

11. Is a spill response kit or cart, including plastic sheeting

to cover and protect equipment, readily available?

12. Has the entire staff of operators, maintenance and

housekeeping been trained to report any type of

liquid leak to the maintenance department for

immediate attention?.

13. If leakage onto or potentially onto the equipment

occurs, are attendees instructed to immediately shut

off power (if safe to do so) to electrical equipmentand protect equipment with plastic sheets?

14. For a valuable equipment area located in the

basement, are there any water mains, sprinkler mains,

liquid utility piping entering through the walls or floor?

15. Is there any evidence of leakage through the wall or

floor openings? If so, indicate repair schedule.

16. Is an underground plan of these mains immediately

available, showing the location of shutoff valves? (in

case an underground leak occurs and leakage occursthrough the wall or floor opening)

17. For areas that are unoccupied periodically, are there

any water sensors on the floor or excess humidity

sensors available to provide an alarm to a constantly

attended position?


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When adding or moving valuable equipment, use the

Checklist for Valuable Equipment Areas to reduce the

chances of potential problems.

Locate valuable equipment on floors at or above grade.

This includes diagnostic and treatment equipment,

telephone equipment rooms and computer centers.

Designers should route all liquid-carrying systems away

from ceilings over critical and valuable equipment.

Locate valves in readily accessible areas. Consider

adding valves if needed to improve response time in

isolating a leak.

Label valves to identify purpose and the zones or areas

each controls.

Waterproof the floors above areas containing critical

and valuable equipment. Completely seal all openingsaround floor penetrations made for conduit and ducts

and other utilities.

Pressure test pipe per code, witnessed by owners

representative, with all leaks properly repaired and the

pipe retested. Do not seal off pipe in walls until tested

and signed off.

Provide secondary containment and drains in rooms

containing fuel tanks, hot water tanks, other liquid-

containing equipment and vessels.

Consider installing water sensors on the floor for areas

containing valuable equipment or under raised floors of

computer rooms.

Identify new construction/landscaping on adjacent

properties, especially those being conducted at slightly

higher elevations. Storm water runoff can be a major

problem when natural water diverting means, such as

grass, are temporarily removed during a project. Debris

from construction projects and landscaping can also

clog storm drains in the area during exceptionally heavy

rain events.

New construction or renovation


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Fire/water cleanup:

Name

Phone

Equipment restoration:

Name

Phone

Turn off power immediately! Do not energize

wet equipment!

Track down and shut off the cause of leakage.

Cover up equipment if leaking continues from above.

Begin removing the liquid.

Remove, as much as possible, all wet items

(anything that holds moisture).

Begin cleanup and drying procedures immediately.

Apply proper preservatives to equipment

(note material should not promote corrosion,

conduct electricity or create a fire hazard).

Call the Zurich Claim Care Center at 800-987-3373.

Call professional cleaners and restorers immediately.

Helping mitigate damage whenleaks occur

Call the Zurich Claim Care

Center at 800-987-3373to

speak with a professional

about the situation.


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Building

Remove wet items such as carpeting, padding and

ceiling tile, anything that holds moisture to an exterior

location or cutoff dock area.

Use all available and rentable vacuum equipment to

eliminate water on floors as soon as possible. Also use

squeegees and mops.

Set up any available dehumidifiers (if outside

temperature is greater than 60 F).

Open any doors and windows to help reduce humidity

(if weather is appropriate).

Use fans to help circulate the air and assist drying.

Open drawers and closet doors to enhance drying.

Blot hard surface furniture dry. Place nonstainingblocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.

Lift draperies off carpet and suspend.

Move photos, paintings and art objects to a safe,

dry location.

Remove damp books from shelves and spread in a

stable, dry environment.

Leave the heat on if damage occurs during a cool

season. Utilize air conditioning if it occurs during a

warm season.

Equipment

Turn off power immediately! Do not energize

wet equipment!

Do not reenergize equipment until authorized byqualified restoration personnel or manufacturers

technical representative.

Open cabinet doors/sidepanels/covers/chassis drawers

drain all water.

Remove equipment to a cool, dry area after wiping

down and eliminate as much moisture and

contaminants as possible.

Set up fans to move ambient air through equipment.

Blow water out with clean compressed air (or preferably

liquid nitrogen) and/or hair dryers or a PowerCat.

Spray water displacement solvent on electronic

components (such as contact cleaner, LPS 1 or

alcohol/freon mixture).

Wipe down and dry metal surfaces as soon as possible

use protective surface treatments to slow corrosion

(CRC, LPS 1).

Follow up with professional restoration services.

X-Ray or other film

Relocate to a dry environment.

Separate and dry off.

Call professional restorers as these steps are

being done.

First 24-hour checklist

Professional equipment restorers bring the experience and

resources to effectively clean and repair electronic equipment

and get it recertified if necessary.


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Recording equipment(disk and tape drives)

Do not operate if wet or dirty.

Clean tape transport mechanism with alcohol solvents

dry out if wet.

Wipe off surface contamination before drive

system use.

Treat electronics as detailed above.

Do not reenergize equipment until authorized by

qualified restoration personnel or manufacturers

technical representative.

Follow up with professional restoration service.

Magnetic media

Do not use if wet or dirty.

Clean and dry dirty tapes/disks/cassettes with alcohol-

based solvents for one time data recovery.

Send wet head disk assemblies (HDAs) to a specialist for

data recovery.

Save the data not the media.

Follow up with professional restoration service.

Plastic sheets to throw over and protect equipment

(should be immediately available in every valuableequipment area)

Plastic bags to dispose of wet material

Wet vacuums or other water removal equipment

(commercial grade with effective GFIs, squeegees,

mops, buckets)

Portable pump(s) and hose

Water displacing solvents for applying to electrical

equipment (examples: contact cleaner, LPS 1)

Preservatives for metal (examples: CRC, LPS 1)

Towels for wiping up (assumed to be availablefrom housekeeping)

Absorbent socks, to contain and absorb spills

Alcohol for computer tapes and disks (ISA99 for purity)

Pipe clamps to place around and stop a leak(pipe repair kit)

Diagrams of piping systems with valve locations

highlighted

Dehumidifiers (or ready rental source)

Boots

Portable dikes for diverting surface water away from

below grade doorways and possible points of water

entry. This would be necessary during unusually heavy

rains, and especially if the hospital has a history of

water accumulating near certain doorways, loading

docks, parking ramps, etc.

First 24-hour checklist

Clean and dry dirty tapes/disks/cassettes with alcohol-based

solvents for one time data recovery.

(continued)

Spill response cart and pipe repair supplies

A spill kit or cart and emergency pipe repair supplies should be available for quick accessibility and use anywhere in the

hospital. The following list contains suggestions for a spill response kit. The maintenance and/or engineering departments

should participate in selecting the contents and locations of the kits. Make plastic sheets to cover electronic equipment

readily available in the applicable areas for use by operators.

Note The materials may be needed in several areas if the hospital is large or involves multiple buildings.

Quick accessibility is the goal.


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CD Case goes here.Do not print magenta box.

Phone numbers

Make emergency phone numbers readily available to managementand the personnel responding to or overseeing the incident (see

sample list on enclosed CD-ROM).

Examples of phone numbers that should be available include the

professional clean-up company, professional equipment restoration

company(s), Zurich Claim Care Center (800-987-3373), servicing

companies for the critical and valuable equipment (especially the

technical representatives) and sources for renting additional wet

vacuums and dehumidifiers.


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A1-13131-E(02/13)112000921

Zurich Services Corporation

Risk Engineering

1400 American Lane, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196-1056800 982 5964 www.zurichservices.com

The information in this publication was compiled by Zurich Services Corporation from sources believed to be reliablefor informational purposes only. All sample policies and procedures herein should serve as a guideline, which youcan use to create your own policies and procedures. We trust that you will customize these samples to reflectyour own operations and believe that these samples may serve as a helpful platform for this endeavor. Any and allinformation contained herein is not intended to constitute legal advice and accordingly, you should consult with yourown attorneys when developing programs and policies. We do not guarantee the accuracy of this information orany results and further assume no l iability in connection with this publication and sample policies and procedures,including any information, methods or safety suggestions contained herein. Moreover, Zurich reminds you that thiscannot be assumed to contain every acceptable safety and compliance procedure or that additional procedures mightnot be appropriate under the circumstances. The subject matter of this publication is not tied to any specific insuranceproduct nor will adopting these policies and procedures ensure coverage under any insurance policy.

2013 Zurich Services Corporation

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