What is Legionella?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella.
Any water system, with the right environmental conditions, could be a source for legionella bacteria growth. There is a reasonably foreseeable legionella risk if your water system:
has a water temperature between 20–45 °C
creates and/or spreads breathable droplets, e.g. aerosol created by a cooling tower, or water outlets
stores and or re-circulates water
likely to contain a source of nutrients for the organism to grow, for example, rust, sludge, scale, organic matter and biofilms.
The most common sources of legionella are in man-made water systems including:
cooling towers and evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools
L8 Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) was revised and republished in November 2013 and retained the guidance on the requirements of HSWA and COSHH for employers AND those with responsibilities for the control of premises including landlords . It applies to the control of Legionella bacteria in any undertaking involving a work activity AND applies to premises controlled in connection with a trade, business or other undertaking where water is used or stored and there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria.
If you are a business or a private landlord and require a legionella risk assessment, contact us today for a quote.