Does continuous monitoring meet HSG274?
The guidance asks for temperatures, on a schedule, written down. Sensors do all three.
It is a fair question to ask before buying sensors: does continuous monitoring actually satisfy HSG274, or is it just more data?
HSG274 asks for temperatures, checked on a schedule, and recorded. Sensors do all three.
What HSG274 asks for in hot and cold water
For hot and cold water systems, Part 2 sets out the things to watch and the schedule to watch them on.
- Hot water hot enough at the sentinel outlets — checked monthly.
- Cold water staying below its limit — checked monthly.
- Little-used outlets flushed so water does not stagnate.
- The readings recorded and reviewed, not just taken.
What continuous monitoring adds
A clipboard check is one reading a month per outlet. A sensor is a reading every few minutes. Same metric, far more of it. The monthly figure the guidance wants is still produced — it is just backed by every reading in between, so a drop at two in the morning is caught, not missed.
The honest caveat
Continuous monitoring does not replace the risk assessment or the responsible person — L8 still requires both. It does the monitoring and record-keeping part better; it does not do the whole regime. A sensor will not flush a tap either. It tells you which tap needs flushing.
The point
HSG274 describes monitoring as temperature, over time, written down. Continuous sensors are that, automated. They meet the monitoring and record-keeping the guidance asks for, and leave the judgement to the people the law names.