Ice machine biofilm across a hospital estate
Ice machine biofilm was building up inside the 112 ice machines at a US hospital, even though each was cleaned every three to four months. In a healthcare setting, that biofilm is a Legionella risk. In July 2022 a HydroFLOW® S38 was installed on the water line feeding one ice machine, as proof ahead of a planned rollout across all 112. The S38 clamps around the supply line, so installation took minutes and needed no plumbing change. Within three weeks the biofilm had been purged, including hidden biofilm that previous cleaning had never reached, and the cleaning interval could be extended.
The Challenge
- Ice machine biofilm was building despite cleaning every three to four months
- 112 ice machines had to be covered across the facility
- Cleaning was not removing hidden biofilm inside the machines
- Biofilm was a Legionella risk in the water system
- The hospital wanted proof on one machine before rolling out
The Solution
- Unit installed: one HydroFLOW® S38
- Installation point: water line feeding one ice machine
- Installed: July 2022
- Trial: three weeks, ahead of rollout across 112 machines
- Previous treatment: cleaning every three to four months
One machine was treated first so the hospital could see the effect before committing to all 112. Treatment reduces biofilm build-up, and over three weeks it flushed hidden ice machine biofilm that routine cleaning had not removed. With the purge complete, the cleaning interval on that machine could be extended.
