The Need for Regular Plumbing Maintenance
At Plumbing & Gas Solutions, we understand how small faults in a plumbing system can result in major consequences — especially when they involve health and safety equipment.
During a routine inspection at a local, Milton Keynes secondary school, one of our engineers was called to investigate a failed eye wash station in a lab classroom. In any environment that handles hazardous materials, functional emergency plumbing systems are critical — and downtime isn’t an option
What Caused the Problem?
The root cause was quickly identified: a kinked flexi hose. The bend in the hose had completely restricted water flow, rendering the eye wash station inoperable. To make matters worse, the hose was showing signs of wear and was close to splitting.
While the component was inexpensive and easy to replace, its failure created a significant safety risk — and could have resulted in compliance issues.
“It’s a classic case of something small having a big impact,” said one of our engineers. “Flexi hoses aren’t expensive, but if they’re not installed correctly or checked regularly, they can pose a real risk.”
Why It Matters for Health and Safety Compliance
In the UK, eye wash stations are required to meet certain standards under health and safety regulations. A non-functioning unit can put a business out of compliance with HSE guidelines — opening the door to potential fines, liability, and reputational damage.
This situation serves as a clear reminder: planned plumbing maintenance is essential for staying compliant and keeping your team safe.
Common Warning Signs
If you manage a school or commercial facility, here are a few signs your eye wash station or safety plumbing system may need attention:
- Kinked, twisted, or tightly bent flexi hoses
- Corroded or leaking connections
- Low water pressure or no flow
- Outdated or poorly labelled emergency equipment
These issues may seem small, but left unaddressed, they can have serious consequences.
The Value of Planned Preventative Maintenance
Replacing a faulty flexi hose costs very little — but the cost of emergency repairs, downtime, or a health and safety breach can be substantial. That’s why planned preventative maintenance (PPM) is such an important service for businesses in high-risk environments.
With a tailored schedule in place, you’ll benefit from:
- Regular, proactive system checks
- Early fault detection and resolution
- Improved safety and compliance confidence
- Reduced risk of emergency call-outs
- Longer lifespan for your plumbing infrastructure
- Peace of mind for your management and health & safety teams
Our PPM plans are customised to your building, sector, and risk level — whether you’re running a manufacturing facility, warehouse, school, hospital, or office.
Why Choose Plumbing & Gas Solutions?
We’re trusted by leading schools and commercial organisations across the Milton Keynes and surrounding areas for one simple reason: we combine technical expertise with a genuine commitment to quality and care. Our engineers are qualified, highly experienced, and focused on keeping your systems compliant, efficient, and safe.
We’re local, responsive, and fully accredited — ready to handle everything from routine checks to emergency response and complex system upgrades.
Book a Plumbing Safety Check Today
If your eye wash stations or emergency plumbing systems haven’t been checked recently, now is the time. We’ll help ensure your workplace is compliant, safe, and fully operational. Call us on 01908 569031, email info@pgsolutions.co.uk or use our short contact form available here.