Controlling Legionella in your building: What you need to know
17 July 2024
Environtec can help you develop a robust long-term scheme for preventing and controlling exposure to Legionella bacteria, including setting a series of measures in place to keep your water systems free from activity that could lead to the growth of this unwelcome pathogen.
Why do you need to set routine Legionella control measures in place?When we carry out the monitoring of a system, we cannot obviously see the bacteria being present (without a sampling regime being in place). What we are looking for, however are conditions that would encourage the growth of the bacteria in the system and create a means for exposure to it.
Without inspecting the system, it’s impossible to confirm that there’s an environment which would encourage significant levels of Legionella bacteria to proliferate. Without samples and analysis of the results, it cannot be confirmed if a poorly managed system has become a host system, and if so, to what level.
If a problem is identified, and subsequently rectified, we can’t be sure that it won’t return unless there’s a suitable control strategy in place. This is why creating and reviewing a Legionella control regime is so vital. It embodies the ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach, and it’s a cost-effective means of minimising risk to your property’s users.
Typical Legionella control measures could include:
Ensuring optimal water temperatures are maintained to prevent bacteria growth
Regular system and plant inspections
Servicing equipment as needed
Recommendation and assistance with removing any materials or issues that pose a risk
Planned water sampling
Is this something you can manage in-house?
The simple answer is ‘yes’. There’s plenty of training available to help you and your staff get up to speed with what’s required from you. In fact, we ourselves offer two options: a Basic Legionella Awareness Course (for beginners) and a more in-depth Responsible Person Course that talks you through the requirements of BOHS P901 (Managing and Control of Building Hot and Cold Water Services).
That said, limiting risk in this area is something you will almost always need assistance with – especially when it comes to retrieving, analysing, and reporting on accurate water samples. The below is taken from the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8, which relates directly to the control of Legionella bacteria in water systems:
“Periodic sampling and testing for the presence of Legionella bacteria may also be relevant to show that adequate control is being achieved. However, reliably detecting the presence of Legionella bacteria is technically difficult and requires specialist laboratory facilities.”
Sampling water for the presence of Legionella bacteria is not a legal requirement, per se. There are no rules as to how often you should test your hot and cold water systems that are thought to be under control – this routine is often determined by how many assets you have, and the other risk factors that are present. However, as the person responsible for maintaining health and safety standards in your building, you are required to have a regime in place that sufficient to meet the requirements of ACOP L8, and failure to do so could have legal consequences.
You can download a copy of ACOP L8 from the HSE website.
Why partner with Environtec?
The compliance process doesn’t need to be daunting. With many years’ experience in assessing water networks for common hygiene concerns, the water team here at Environtec has the knowledge, the tools, and the systems to get the right control measures in place quickly and affordably.
- UKAS accredited testing laboratories across the UK
- Decades of combined experience in designing and implementing water hygiene control measures
- Quotes and schedules tailored to your precise needs
- Digital logbooks with real-time results
- Recommendations based on your property’s assets and systems
- Jargon-free approach
- Cost-effective fees
- Making sure each appointment runs smoothly is our priority. We will always advise you on any preparations that need to be made to your site before our visit(s), and all expected timeframes will be communicated to you so you can manage your site user’s expectations.
