Legionella Management
Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which is caused by legionella bacteria, which can grow in water kept at unsuitable temperatures (between 20ºC and 45ºC) and infect the water in cooling towers, whirlpool spas and purpose built hot and cold water systems.
Where conditions are suitable for the growth of legionella the risk is increased. There is a risk of disease when droplets of water, infected with the bacteria, are inhaled. Whilst showers may present a particular problem in care homes water droplets created from taps is also a potential source. Any equipment that can generate water droplets that could be inhaled should be assessed for potential risk.
Building owners and managers are required to carry out a risk assessment, put a management system in place and demonstrate that the services are operating within approved operating standards through the preparation and upkeep of monitoring records, the log-book.
Aquacair Limited undertake system risk assessments for compliance with British Standards, HSE L8 and NHS Health Technical Memoranda. We undertake sampling for legionella bacteria and of drinking water or vending machine supplies for total bacteria, coliforms and pseudomonas.
Domestic water systems, showers, dental water systems, industrial processes, spas and cooling towers in fact any process that uses water that people come into contact with requires an assessment.
