What is legionella testing?
Legionella testing identifies the existence of Legionella bacteria often found in water.
How frequently should you test for Legionella?
Property managers, landlords and those people who look after commercial premises should arrange to test for Legionella as often as the Water Hygiene Risk Assessment dictates. Guidance on how often to test does vary, however, at Water Hygiene Services we recommend six monthly checks on cold water inlets. Annual Water Sampling is likely to be recommended in most commercial properties.
Legionella testing guidance from the Health & Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has indicated several situations whereby legionella testing should be completed;
- Where the legionella control regime in place to treat a hot and cold water system is suspected to be inefficient
- Where ideal temperatures are not always obtained – hot water should be kept hot, and cold water cold
- Where there is doubt over concentrations of disinfectant in the system that could indicate a lack of control
- Where the situation is deemed high-risk for some other reason
Water Risk and Legionella legislation
The ACoP L8 “The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems” and The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are in place to ensure property managers comply with the strict requirements to keep water systems safe. This includes having regular Water Hygiene Risk Assessments completed on all workplace buildings where there is a foreseeable risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria.
Types of buildings which require legionella services
- Hotels
- Gyms
- Leisure clubs
- Retail buildings
- Offices
- Hospitals
- GP surgeries
- Commercial and private offices
- Warehouses
- Factories
Outsource your Legionella testing
To keep the water safe in the building you look after we recommend you instruct a water hygiene company who is a member of the Legionella Control Association, who, like Water Hygiene Services will conduct a legionella risk assessment and subsequent legionella testing. By outsourcing to a professional water hygiene company you can ensure your legionella testing is done in accordance with the current guidance.
Request a quote
If you would like more information on legionella services please contact us today and we will be happy to help.