Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems Amended 6th edition (BG29/2021)

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This amended sixth edition (BG 29/2021) takes into account feedback received from users of the sixth edition (BG 29/2020) since it was published in April 2020. Pre-commission cleaning is the process of bringing a closed heating or cooling system to a satisfactory state for commissioning and ongoing maintenance of water quality.

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Pre-commission cleaning is the process of bringing a closed heating or cooling system to a satisfactory state for commissioning and ongoing maintenance of water quality.

This amended sixth edition (BG 29/2021) takes into account feedback received from users of the sixth edition (BG 29/2020) since it was published in April 2020.

Changes from BG 29/2020 to BG 29/2021 include:

  • Minor amendments to the system schematics and associated notes
  • Additional flexibility with respect to laboratory test methods
  • Clarification regarding systems with corrosion monitoring
  • Revised guidance regarding air venting at terminal units
  • Revised guidance regarding circulation
  • Revised guidance regarding heating to improve cleaning effectiveness
  • Revised guidance regarding temporary pumps
  • Expanded guidance to cover a wider range of non-UK guidelines

Editable Excel versions of the proformas in appendices B and C of this guide are attached to the pdf of the guide.

Minor corrections were made to BG 29/2021 in August 2021. Click here for further information.

Revision History

First edition: AG 8/91 Pre-Commissioning Cleaning of Water Systems

Second edition: AG 1/2001 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems

Third edition: AG 1/2001.1 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems (published in 2004)

Fourth edition: BG 29/2011 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems

Fifth edition: BG 29/2012 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems

Sixth edition: BG 29/2020 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems

Amended sixth edition: BG 29/2021 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems

Product details

  • Published: February 2021
  • Publisher: BSRIA
  • Authors: Martin Ronceray & Parsloe C
  • ISBN: 978-0-86022-784-7

Common customer questions & answers

QQuestion Which edition of BSRIA’s Pre-commission Cleaning guide should I be using?
AAnswer The current edition of BSRIA’s Pre-commission Cleaning guide is BG 29/2021. It was revised in partnership with the CSCA with input from an industry steering group, members of which are listed in the guide. It supersedes all previous editions of the guide. It is BSRIA’s intention that, in normal circumstances, BG 29/2021 should be used in preference to any superseded editions of the guide. Superseded versions of the guide are still available (see Revision History above) as they provide useful reference information for older projects. Users of BG 29/2021 should be aware that it is a guide, not a regulation. It is for individual project teams to decide whether to follow the guidance, and this should be made clear in project documentation.
QQuestion Can pressure independent control valves (PICVs) be flushed through?
AAnswer Some PICVs have internal mechanisms that may be damaged during normal flushing operations (either forward or backflushing, dependent on the specific valve). The flushing procedure may have to accommodate for this, taking additional steps such as bypassing the PICVs. Manufacturers’ recommendations should be followed in this regard.