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Legionella control FAQs

Legionella control FAQs

What is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionella control FAQs – Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by bacteria called Legionella pneumophila. Exposure to the Legionella bacterium can happen when you inhale contaminated mist or breathe in droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria.

There are many ways to prevent legionnaires’ disease, including routine inspection, temperature monitoring, and maintenance of cooling towers, water tanks, and plumbing systems.

Legionella control FAQs

Who can catch Legionnaires’ disease?

Everyone is potentially susceptible to infection, but some people are at a higher risk e.g. those over 45 years of age, smokers and heavy drinkers, those suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease, and people whose immune system is impaired. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Where is legionella found?

Legionella bacteria (legionella pneumophila) are common in natural water courses such as rivers and ponds.  Since legionella is widespread in the environment, they may contaminate and grow in man-made water systems such as cooling towers and hot and cold-water services.  Spa baths, Jacuzzi’s and hot tubs also provide a potential breeding ground for legionella bacteria as they provide optimum conditions for the bacteria to grow and multiply to sufficient numbers for a system to be colonised.

The bacteria thrives at temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees, particularly if there is a supply of nutrients such as rust, sludge, scale, algae, and other bacteria.

The risk of legionnaires’ disease is increased if water droplets are produced and dispersed in aerosol form for example, in a shower or spa bath.

It is possible to reduce the risk by removing exposure to water droplets and aerosol and by removing the nutrients on which the legionella bacteria feed.  This can be done by keeping water systems clean by cleaning and disinfecting cold water storage tanks and showerheads.

How do I the with latest HSE guidance?

The current HSE guidance documents for the legionella control are the L8 Approved Code of Practice and the HSG274 Legionella technical guidance.

The first thing to do is a Legionella Risk Assessment, to consider the risks from legionella that may affect your staff or members of the public, and then take suitable precautions to control and prevent the risk.

Is it a legal requirement to have a legionella risk assessment?

There is a legal duty for employers and landlords to consider the risk legionella bacteria in buildings under your control or management. You must identify and assess the source of risk i.e carry out a legionella risk assessment. Manage the risk. Put in place measures to control or prevent any risks.  Keep good records to prove you are taking the appropriate action and to show to external agencies you are following the HSE guidance for legionella control.

What can be used to control legionella bacteria?

Temperature is usually used in hot and cold-water systems, by keeping hot water at above 60 degrees and ensuring it is above 50 degrees at the outlets. Cold water should be kept below 20°c.

There are other methods that can be used if the temperature is not an option, such as copper/silver ionisation and chlorine dioxide.  Cooling towers/systems are often treated with biocides.  There are other treatment strategies available such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.

Do I need to take Legionella samples?

This depends on the risk assessment and control methods being used.  In some circumstances it will be required, however, it needs to be done at a UKAS accredited laboratory and will require specialist help.  Dantek can provide advice on sample frequency and locations, and what to do if Legionella is detected.

Routine Legionella testing however is not a requirement in domestic hot and cold-water systems.  It would only be recommended in hot and cold-water systems due to exceptional circumstances where typical control measures are not working.  A full legionella risk assessment would identify the best course of action to reduce the risk.

What will a legionella risk assessment cost?

The cost will depend on what assets are on your site and how many buildings.  For large sites or multi-site portfolios a site visit by one of our team is the best way to establish exactly how much a risk assessment will cost. However, we are often able to provide a guide price if you know roughly the size and type of building.  For example, how many floors, what it is used for, whether there are any cold-water storage tanks, number of calorifiers and if there are any cooling towers. An asset register of plant and equipment can be very helpful in determining how long the on-site assessment will take and therefore the cost.

One of our team would be happy to talk through on the phone any requirements and enquiries.

What do Landlords need to do about Legionella control?

The law clearly states if you are a Landlord and rent out your property then you have a duty under Health and Safety Law to consider the risk posed by Legionella bacteria. The ACoP L8 (3rd edition) also states Landlords must assess the risk from exposure to legionella to their tenants.

In most cases the risk assessment is simple and straight forward, however for more complex systems or if the Landlord is not able / competent to carry out the assessment they can use a specialist Water Treatment Company like Dantek, to carry out the legionella risk assessments and advise on any actions required.

A simple risk assessment will identify if a system is considered a low legionella risk and no further actions are required other than to review the assessment regularly in case anything changes which may affect the risk for example the water system in the building changes.

Examples of low risk systems include;

  • A small building occupied by people not considered at risk from legionella bacteria.
  • Where there is enough usage of water per day to ensure the entire system is changed at least once.
  • Mains fed cold water supplies the entire system, so there are no cold-water storage tanks.
  • Hot water is fed from combi boilers/ instantaneous heaters or low volume water heater where the hot water is supplied at no less than 50°c
  • The only outlets at the property are toilets and wash hand basins with no showers present on site.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/legionella-landlords-responsibilities.htm

What is meant by the term water system?

A water system includes all plant and equipment for example all the pipework, pumps, cold water storage tanks, valves, showers, water softeners, chillers, heat exchangers, cooling towers, calorifiers, little used outlets and dead legs, humidifiers, air washes, car washes, indoor fountains and water features.

How do I choose a water hygiene company? Legionella Control Association logo

Choosing a water hygiene company with the knowledge and skills to manage and control the risk of legionnaires’ disease at your site is made easier with the help of the Legionella Control Association.  The LCA hold a register of members who have met their requirements on an annual basis and have passed their annual audit of systems.

A key factor should be the training of site staff to carry out water hygiene work competently.  A provider will be able to demonstrate how their employees are trained and audited to ensure continual compliance with current standards.

The LCA code of conduct sets out the standard of service a client should expect from a water hygiene provider.  The code requires a Service Provider to set up an appropriate management system for the control of legionella complying with the latest HSE guidance for the control of legionella bacteria.

How many cases of Legionnaires Disease were there last year?

The figures from 2021 – 2022 are not available yet however between 1st January – 31st October 2020 according to a report by Public Health England, there were 254 cases of Legionellosis cases reported in England and Wales.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948028/Legionella_Mthly_Rprt-Aggregate_rprt_Jan-Oct20.pdf

If you have any questions in regards to Legionella control FAQs or any other questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 01454 417 920

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New office in Staffordshire

Expanding Legionella Control Services in Staffordshire

Legionella control Staffordshire: In response to the successful expansion of our business in the Midlands region over the past year, Dantek is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Staffordshire. This strategic move allows us to better serve both new and existing clients in the Midlands area. Over the initial 12-month period, our central team has secured multiple contracts.

With over two decades of collective experience in legionella control, our Midlands team is led by Holly Jakes, a seasoned professional with a decade of tenure at Dantek. Holly’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest service standards and preventing Legionnaires’ disease has been instrumental in driving our growth in the region, all while upholding Dantek’s core values.

Reflecting on our achievements, Holly remarked, “The past year has been marked by significant success, with Dantek’s reputation in the Midlands spreading through word of mouth and recommendations. Our comprehensive services cover all aspects of legionella control, from risk assessments to monthly water monitoring, water treatment, cooling towers, and plumbing remedials. While we benefit from the support of our Thornbury head office, our local management ensures a seamless experience for our clients, from initial inquiry to project completion.”

Based in Cannock and Gloucester, our central team continues to expand, collaborating closely with local businesses, schools, and universities to promote water safety and hygiene.

For more information on how Dantek can assist you in safeguarding your water systems, please contact sales@dantek.co.uk.

http://www.dantek.co.uk

Employee profile: David Edwards Legionella Risk Assessor

Legionella L8 assessment
Legionella risk assessing

When did you join Dantek?

I have been working at Dantek for 10 years, I started doing monitoring, tank cleaning, remedial works and cooling tower disinfections. I then progressed into Legionella risk assessing about 5 years ago.  Before joining Dantek, I was at another company cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers and carrying out remedial works on cooling towers as well as tank cleaning and disinfection work. So, by the time I came here as a lead engineer I already had a wealth of experience in the industry.

Becoming a Legionella risk assessor?

Most of my training has been on the job, I started at bottom and have worked my way up by building on experience. I am a qualified plumber so that really helped with my career as it meant I have a solid understanding of how buildings are plumbed and how water systems work. Particularly now as a risk assessor I can easily identifying risk as I know what looking at. I have done every single aspect of water hygiene so can draw on my knowledge when risk assessing a building.

I have spent years of my life stripping cooling towers and working in cooling towers so risk assessing them came very naturally as I have a thorough understanding of how they work.

Of course, I do have formal qualifications in legionella risk assessing but I firmly believe the best way to learn is from practical experience rather than academic study alone.

 

Where do you start when carrying out a legionella risk assessment?

I tend to start in main plant areas and work my way from there, generally they are the biggest areas of risk. Start with tanks and calorifiers and then move to identifying blinds ends, dead legs and return loops.  I will also request to see any records or previous risk assessment on the building which can be a helpful starting point, although of course it needs to all be updated and schematics drawn to ensure they are accurate, and everything is up to date.

 

What challenges do you come across?

Cooling towers are challenging, as the legionella risk is potentially so much higher.

Buildings can also be deceptive as a straight forward looking 2 storey building could house any number of systems for example; there could be a lab or have reverse osmosis system, so you need to wait until you discover what is inside.

 

What work are you most proud of?

Herm Island is definitely my proudest achievement as I have risk assesses every single property on the Island.  All the water is fed from a bore hole, so it has its complications.  I go there every 2 years to update the risk assessments and am so impressed as they have carried out all the recommendations I made in my initial risk assessment. Given they cannot just pop to B&Q as they are an island, they must ship every single part and material in order to do all the remedials, but they have done it all and taken everything on board, which I am afraid to say not everyone does so thoroughly.

I also enjoy going into places and finding tank, calorifiers and even taps that people are unaware they even have.  I am often told there are “no tanks in our building” only to find there were hidden behind a panel or roof space.  It is really satisfying to know you have done a thorough job and being naturally inquisitive has helped me to make sure every tank, calorifer and tap are assessed.

 

What are the best features of our risk assessment reports?

I think customers find the asset register and photos useful as it clearly sets out exactly what you have on site.  The risk score is also highly valued by customers because it shows what your risk is now and what your projected risk could potentially be if you put in place the control scheme suggested and carry out the remedial work.

We also explain why the risk score has been given with an in-depth explanation for customers. I think this is good because it helps to prioritise where to take action first to make the most impact to reduce the risk on their sites.

 

What do you enjoy about your job?

I love the freedom of the job and being out and about visiting different places.  I like the trust the responsibility of the job and the satisfaction of knowing the work I do can make a difference by helping to ensure no one suffers with Legionnaires’ disease.

 

What do you like doing for fun?

I really enjoy sea fishing and try to do as much as I can.  I support Cardiff City both at home and away.  I am currently planning a holiday to Vietnam for next year which will be a great experience and hopefully I will be able to fit in a bit of fishing while I am there.

How much should a Legionella risk assessment cost?

 

How long does a legionella risk assessment take
How much is a legionella risk assessment?

Your concerned about compliance and you want a good company, but still, budgets are tight, you need the best value, so what do you need to tell contractors to get a fair price? Or get quotes you could compare? And how do these people work it out anyway? I will attempt to throw some light on the occasionally opaque world of Legionella or water risk assessment pricing.

As a start point I have assumed that you are only going to be dealing with reputable contractors who are specialists in the industry, generally members of the Legionella control association, possibly UKAS accredited, who can prove they are competent and have a solid track record. There have been operators in the marketplace who will ‘buy’ risk assessment contracts with the intention of raking the money back on follow-on works and contracts, this is a clear conflict of interest, and I advise avoiding it.

A Legionella risk assessment is a form of consultancy, which means it is, for the most part, a labour only service. This means the big question is – how long is it going to take? Once we figure this out, multiply the time by a day rate and bingo! A price.

Top tip; Ask what the standard day rate is for a surveyor, but be careful, some include administration time some don’t.

Estimating how long a survey will take is a fine art, but there are some variables to consider:

Geography

Where is the site? Or where are the sites? Travel time is working time, and you pay for it. Ideally, you’ll use someone local if you have a big single site or cluster of buildings, but sometimes this isn’t practical. If you have many disparate sites, you can get some great economies on a round robin or road trip type basis. Also, these are fun for the surveyors. Years ago, I risk assessed every driving test centre in Scotland on a road trip basis and had a great time.

Once you understand the logistics of getting the surveyor to and from the site, how long will they be there? The two big factors in this debate are; what water services have you got? And how hard will they look? The second point can be contentious, so I’ll deal with what you’ve got first.

Water Assets and system complexity

I have seen many different approaches to convey what is on site, varying from line item asset registers, copies of the previous risk assessments to lists of the gross internal areas of properties. The surveyor’s point of view generally stems from, how difficult is this system going to be for me to understand and how many assets do I have to survey? For example, a large modern office block could seem like a big beast but in reality, may have plant room in the basement, a single wet riser by the lift shaft, toilets and kitchenettes on each floor plus a couple of cleaners cupboards, simple. In contrast, a stately home converted to halls of residence can contain multiple systems and a dog’s breakfast of assets and pipework that would reduce the finest to tears.

Top tip: Give what information you have, including building use, number of stories, and location

 

The industry refers to all hot and cold-water systems for toilets, sinks, showers etc. as domestic systems. These are almost universally included in risk assessments, but what about cooling towers, industrial uses of water, humidifiers, water features, medical equipment? The survey should cover all water assets one way or another.

In the industry, we benefit from huge amounts of experience so in talking about your buildings we build a picture of what we are dealing with, by being as honest and open as you can you will get the most realistic estimate possible.

The depth of the survey

If you have been on the forums this is a hot potato; the fastidious independent contractors shout down the ‘stack’em high sell it cheap’ brigade for being cowboys and the quick ‘all done on an iPad survey’ crew retort about over-egging the pie. The truth is the risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient, just as the lower the risk, the less you have to do, the converse is also true. There is a place for the iAuditor type surveys on lower risk properties, retail outlets, provincial train stations and minor highways depots etc.

Conversely, if you’re looking after NHS estates, your burden is much greater. The best advice I can give is to view example documents on properties similar to yours, talk to the contractor and understand what they intend to return. You need to feel comfortable the contractor has your best interests front and centre, and they are not ‘flogging you what they’ve got’.

Begin with the end in mind

The Legionella risk assessment certainly ticks a box for compliance but if done well is a tremendous source of information regarding your water assets. Think about practical outputs, for example, how do you expect to see non-compliances reported? Do you want them separated in a way you could pass to a mechanical contractor or your onsite plumbing team?

Talking to your suppliers about Legionella control in a wider context beyond the risk assessment can pay dividends in understanding how the document could support your efforts to implement a successful control regime later on. You’ll be amazed what you can get for free during the risk assessment process just by asking, consider;

  • Do you want accurate schematics drawn in AutoCAD?
  • Would it be handy if the pipe runs are overlaid on your existing building schematics?
  • Would you like an electronic copy of the asset register in excel?
  • Do you want the assets in an electronic logbook as part of the deal?

A word about water samples

There is no hard or prescribed requirement to take microbiological samples during the risk assessment process, in our company we don’t take them as a matter of course but others do. I could write another thousand words on the pros and cons of sampling, but ultimately, to compare quotes you need to understand if they have been included for and if so how many. The current market rate for a Legionella test at a UKAS accredited laboratory is about thirty pounds so cost can be significant if a meaningful number of samples are taken.

 

At the end of the day

All risk assessment quotes have at their core an estimation of how long the survey is going to take and the report to produce, as a buyer you should understand and be comfortable that your supplier will do a job that is acceptable to you in the time they have quoted. At the bulk end of the market, if you are paying one hundred pounds or less for a risk assessment, your contractor is expecting to do four or more sites per day and is not expecting to find very much. Industry rates vary from three hundred to six hundred pounds per day for a qualified Legionella risk assessor as a guideline.

There are many decent companies out there all of them should welcome sensible discussions on the big question – how long is it going to take?

Dantek are a specialist provider of Legionella control services including Legionella risk assessments.

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Book your  free initial consultation 

A Dantek free initial consultation provides you with a clear understanding of your  legionella responsibilities, and offers advice on any actions needed to ensure you comply with your legal duties.

If you are unsure about your responsibilities or if what you are currently doing is working effectively, get in touch and we can advise on the best course of action.

Dantek are a specialist water treatment company committed to providing water hygiene and water treatment services throughout the UK.

Our aim is to ensure our customers comply with the ACOP L8 and HSG274, while managing the water on their sites in the most efficient, safe and cost effective way possible.

Drawing on our wealth of experience we offer solutions to any problem water can cause in the built environment.

If you have any questions regarding legionnaires’ disease and what you need to do to comply with your legal duty, or simply need advice about what to do in your building to prevent and control legionella bacteria then please do get in touch as we would be happy to talk through your situation and offer a practical, cost effective and compliant solution.

To book your free initial consultation please email info@dantek.co.uk or call 01454 417920.

 

 

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