Determine If You Need Legionella Testing
Anyone who has access to water and/or has an air-conditioning unit is susceptible to Legionella. This includes whirlpool spas and jacuzzis, decorative fountains, nebulisers and humidifiers, potting compost and more. Legionella Risk Assessment and Testing is a necessary service for the following types of businesses:
- General Practices & Medical Centres
- Care Homes
- Nurseries
- Tattoo Studios
- Offices
- Beauty Salons
- Retail Stores
- Pubs & Restaurants
- Estate Agents & Landlords
- Dental Practices
- Factories
Conduct a Detailed Risk Assessment
The CQC (England), HIS (Scotland) and HIW (Wales) recommend we service your water systems and air-conditioning units every 2 years in-line with The Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice, but we strongly recommend having interim health checks annually.
Our HSE standard Risk Assessment includes:
- Full top-to-bottom building assessment
- Written reports with photographic evidence
- Full review and breakdown of your needs
- Documented action plan
Thorough Water Testing
Just 10 bacterium per millilitre can be enough to cause a dangerous infection in a matter of weeks.
"Hot water should be stored at temperatures above 50°C and no more than 60°C, whereas cold water should be stored at well below 20°C at all times".
Our experts will perform comprehensive microbiological and chemical analysis on your water systems, which will identify even the smallest amounts of bacteria in your water supply.
Clean your water and potentially save a life – get a quote now.
Monitoring Your Water Systems
The HSE states that it is essential for every business to closely monitor their water systems to prevent Legionella from infecting their water supply as Legionella can quickly spread even after treatment. We can put into place a plan of action with steps to ensure that your water is kept free of harmful bacteria all year, every year.
Our expert service will perform the following steps to keep your water supply safe:
- Acknowledge the L8 recommendation of a monthly monitoring service including regular tests to maintain clean and healthy water systems
- Employ best practices and avoid unnecessary disruption for your business
- Accurate & comprehensive testing with state-of-the-art equipment
- Implement appropriate measures to maintain a minimal chance of Legionella bacteria occurring
- Work strictly to industry quality standards
Remember, at least 1 person will get seriously ill every day from untested and unmonitored water. So, don’t wait. Act now. Get a quote.
Interim Health Checks
We strongly recommend interim health checks to keep your business safe and compliant. By doing this, you can keep your business running without any stress when the health inspectorate comes knocking.
Our interim health checks include:
- Temperature checks
- Water sampling
- Visual checks and maintenance program
- Remedial work completed
- Documentation checks on log book, schematic, written scheme and training logs
This process is completely non-intrusive and we arrange this around your busy daily routine.
Q. Where can Legionella be found?
A. Legionella bacteria is typically found in water systems and storage units between 6°C and 60°C, such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, humidifiers, air washers, mist machines, hot water heaters, spas, fountains and other plumbing fixtures. The ideal conditions for the bacteria to multiply in are warm, still water between 20°C and 45°C.
Q. How dangerous is Legionella?
A. If water contaminated with Legionella is ingested or inhaled in aerosol form, it can cause an infection of Legionellosis. Legionellosis can lead to Legionnaires’ disease which is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.
Q. Isn’t Legionnaires’ disease quite rare?
A. Around 400 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported every year in the UK. Due to our reliance on industrial water systems, Legionella is always a risk factor for any business and should be treated seriously.
Q. Why do I need a risk assessment?
A. Legionella bacteria is microscopic and the risks are difficult to identify with an untrained eye, particularly when you consider that it can take root in any part of your water system. That's why a risk assessment performed by our experts is an essential for any responsible business that wishes to keep its staff and visitors safe.
Q. How important is it to clean and disinfect my water system?
A. Any amount of Legionella bacteria is serious due to the speed that they can multiply to dangerous levels. Not only is the health of your staff, visitors or employees at risk but you could face a hefty fine for a breach of the Health and Safety Act if you don’t have your water systems regularly cleaned and sanitised.
Q. Why should I have my water tested?
A. The most direct benefit of water testing is keeping your business' water supply safe from harmful Legionella, so that your staff and customers can enjoy your facilities without any risk of serious infections. Aside from identifying waterborne health risks, it can also boost company image and give you an opportunity to demonstrate how much your business values the safety and wellbeing of it’s employees and customers.
Q. Why do I need to continually monitor for Legionella if my water is fine?
A. Legionella can reoccur even after a water system has been treated, which is why it is extremely important to constantly monitor your water systems for any potential risk zones. Doing so will ensure that you are at low risk of having an outbreak of the Legionella virus, keeping your business protected and giving you peace of mind.
The legislations and guidelines that you must adhere to are:
- Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Approved Code of Practice - The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8 - Fourth edition 2013)
- RIDDOR 2013
- COSHH 2002
- The Water Act 2003 (Consequential and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2005
- HSG Part 1 (2013) & Part 2 (2014)
- Health Technical Memorandum 04-01 (HTM04-01)
- Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM01-05)
