What is Legionella?

What is legionella & how you can successfully prevent an outbreak?

Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that can cause infection leading to a potentially fatal form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease in humans. Latest figures show 200-250 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the UK.

Legionella bacteria is naturally occurring and is commonly found in water. The bacteria multiply where temperatures are between 20-45°C and nutrients are available. The bacteria are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C. Legionnaires’ disease can be contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing viable Legionella bacteria. Such droplets can be created and lead to disease transmission through aerosol, for example, by hot and cold-water taps, wet air conditioning units and showers etc.

Anyone can develop Legionnaires’ disease, but the elderly, smokers, alcoholics and those with compromised immune systems, diabetes or chronic respiratory or kidney disease are at more risk.

Consequently, Legionella pneumophila presents an escalated risk in particular environments:

Hospitals
Other medical and dental facilities
Care and nursing homes
Schools
Universities
Hotels
Leisure Centres
Manufacturing Sites where large quanities of water are stored
Food processing plants
Judicial facilities

The key to preventing an outbreak of legionella is by reducing growth and spread of the bacterium. Building owners and managers can achieve this by implementing a scheme of monitoring and control measures aligned to best practice.

Legionella Management Solutions’ wide range of legionella assessment, testing, compliance & remedial services include Legionella Risk Assessment, Thermostatic Mixer Valve (TMV) servicing, Tank Cleaning and Disinfection and UKAS Compliant Water Sampling & Testing. We can deliver a bespoke service including a full Legionella Compliance & Water Hygiene service across the UK.

Contact LMS to find out more about more about about what is Legionella & how you can successfully prevent an outbreak.

Legionella Risk Assessment

Legionella Risk Assessment is the starting place for all water hygiene maintenance work on hot and cold-water systems. The law requires that a water risk assessment is carried out with a site specific schematic of the water system. LMS can facilitate this service by deploying a fully qualified Water Risk Assessor who will look at all aspects of your hot and cold-water systems to identify any risks. They will also look at your internal control measures whether you have contracted this out or carry it out internally.

Learn more

TMV (Thermostatic Mixing Valve) Servicing

TMV or Thermostatic Mixer Valve is a device that is designed to control mixed water temperature for showers, baths and other outlets. These devices require servicing on a regular basis in order for them to function correctly and ensure that they do not increase the risk of a legionella outbreak. LMS can undertake this service as a standalone or as part of a wider PPM contract.

Learn more

Tank Cleaning and Disinfection

To maintain water quality, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recommends regular inspection of water storage tanks, calorifiers and cooling systems and to clean and disinfect them if necessary. LMS can undertake this service as a standalone or as part of a wider PPM contract.

Learn more

UKAS Compliant Water Sampling & Testing

LMS provides a full end to end water sampling and testing service using UKAS-accredited laboratories to comply with HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 & HSG274.

Learn more

Planned Preventative Maintenance

LMS delivers a bespoke package of ongoing PPM to ensure that you derive maximum availability and value from your assets and comply with all relevant legislation where testing, cleaning or disinfection is required.

Learn more

RPZ Valve Testing and Servicing

LMS's WIAPS accredited engineers are qualified to carry out the mandatory annual inspections of Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valves required to comply with the Water Industry Act 1991.

Learn more

Remedial Plumbing Works

LMS can carry out any remedial plumbing works identified in a Legionella Risk Assessment or Water Action Plan to reduce the risk further. This can include removal of deadlegs, tank redesigns, replumbing of hot water vents, installation of backflow prevention devices, water regulations compliance work, converting sites to mains and general plumbing installations.

Learn more

Tank Maintenance

LMS can undertake tank maintenance on an annual basis to ensure that the lid is well fitting, no contaminant such as birds or other animals have got into it and that the water inside has no sediment or pin mould. Additionally, the tank itself is checked to see that it hasn’t deteriorated and that the ball valve is in good working order, that the inlet and outlet are functioning correctly and that the water is turning over sufficiently to remain fresh.

Learn more

Managing Legionella Positives

Following a positive legionella test, LMS can provide a Legionella Qualified Person as defined by HSE guidance and Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 & manage the process of decontamination, disinfection and flushing.

Learn more

Temperature Monitoring (monthly)

The temperature of water in a water system plays the most important part in the proliferation of legionella. LMS can help you comply with HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) L8 by monitoring and recording system temperatures in the Site Logbook on a monthly basis and reporting any non-conformities.

Learn more

Remote Monitoring

LMS can deploy permanent, on-site monitoring and data-acquisition sensors supported by offsite data analysis and alarm functionality to remotely monitor system temperatures as part of an integrated legionella prevention strategy.

Learn more

Shower Head Cleaning and Disinfection

LMS can help you comply with your legal requirement for showerheads to be dismantled, cleaned and disinfected every 12 weeks to remove limescale and disinfect all parts against potential contamination with Legionellosis.

Learn more

Tell us about your legionella and water hygiene challenges and let LMS deliver a bespoke solution