Do you need Legionella Testing and Inspection?
Is it your responsibility and legal obligation to ensure people using your facility are not at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease?
What is Legionnaires’’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia that can be contracted by inhaling water droplets containing Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Most are susceptible to infection but the highest at risk are elderly and those with underlying conditions. The bacterium prospers in warm or stagnant water. If conditions are favourable, the bacterial will grow increasing the risk of infection. Hot and cold water systems, open evaporative cooling water systems and some forms of process water systems (e.g.: fire sprinkler and irrigation) are potential candidates for contamination and dissemination of the bacteria. It is essential – and a legal duty – to control the risks by introducing appropriate control measures as outlined in Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems – Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8).
- Legionella bacteria thrive in temperatures ranging from 20 to 50°C with peak growth occurring around 37°.
- Cold water systems should be maintained at temperatures below 20°C with outlets below this temperature within two minutes of operation.
- Hot water should be stored at least at 60°C and distributed so that it reaches a temperature of 50°C (55°C in healthcare premises) within one minute at the outlets
What are your obligations?
As an employer, or a person in control of commercial premises (including landlords), you are responsible for health and safety. You must understand the health risks associated with Legionella and take the necessary precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to it.
Carrying out a water services risk assessment is your responsibility and will help you to identify the potential risks and implement appropriate control measures to mitigate the risk.
The water services risk assessment should follow a specific criteria including:
- Water Management responsibilities;
- Potential sources of risk;
- Existing Control measures;
- Procedures for monitoring, inspection and maintenance;
- Records of the monitoring results, inspection and checks;
- Review date for the assessment to ensure that it remains up to date;
If you decide that the risks are insignificant and are being properly managed to comply with the law, your assessment is complete. You will not need to take any further action, but it is important to review your assessment periodically in case anything changes in your property.
Your chosen strategy for minimising the risk of Legionellosis should be set out in detail in a formal Written Scheme together with the procedures that you will follow in the event of non- conformance or an infection.
What are the implications of non-compliance?
ACoP L8 and its associated technical guidance documents (HSG 274 Parts 1, 2 and 3) outline recommended structures that can be used to comply with regulations and the duties imposed by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. If you do not follow the guidance you could be prosecuted under these acts which can carry significant fines and potentially custodial sentences.
References / Useful Resources:
HSE Leaflet: Legionnaires’ Disease – A brief guide for duty holders
HSE Website: Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease
Let us help make your building happy
We can help you to keep your building compliant and the people in it happy and safe. We can carry out a risk assessment of your building’s water systems and undertake any necessary work to help you to fulfil your responsibilities.
Darenth Valley Building Services can help with your statutory compliance responsibilities.
A Facilities Maintenance Service Agreement to cover all your Maintenance Essentials and giving you access to a host of planned and reactive maintenance services from a single supplier.
If you would like to arrange a risk assessment, or discuss a bespoke service agreement covering your legislative responsibilities, please contact Alex Tait our Business Development Manager.
Do our Happy Building Health Check
We’ve identified 12 areas of essential maintenance for keeping commercial property compliant and created a Happy Building Health Check chart. If compliance is your responsibility download it and check that your building complies.