What is legionella?
Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by Legionella bacteria including the most serious Legionnaires’ disease, as well as the similar but less serious conditions of Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and everyone is susceptible to infection.
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, but usually in low numbers. They may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools.
If conditions are favourable, the bacteria may grow increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease and it is therefore important to control the risks by introducing appropriate measures outlined in Legionnaires’ disease – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8).
The risk increases with age but some people are at higher risk including:
- people over 45 years of age
- smokers and heavy drinkers
- people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
- diabetes, lung and heart disease
- anyone with an impaired immune system
Where does it come from?
Legionella bacteria are widespread in natural water systems, e.g. rivers and ponds. However, the conditions are rarely right for people to catch the disease from these sources. Outbreaks of the illness occur from exposure to legionella growing in purpose-built systems where water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth, e.g. cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools used in all sorts of premises (work and domestic).How is it contracted?
People contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water (aerosols), suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella if:- the water temperature in all or some parts of the system may be between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for growth
- the water temperature in all or some parts of the system may be between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for growth
- water is stored and/or re-circulated
- there are deposits that can support bacterial growth providing a source of nutrients for the organism e.g. rust, sludge, scale, organic matter and biofilms
What is a legionella risk assessment?
An assessment conducted on a rented properties’ hot/cold water system to determine the health risk posed by legionella bacteria within that system’s water to tenants if they inhale water vapour populated by the bacteria at a water outlet.Why is it needed?
This assessment is a legal requirement to ensure landlords can prove in court they have minimised risk should a tenant develop a respiratory illness as a result of a Legionella outbreak.What happens during the assessment?
A qualified assessor visits a property and takes sample water temperatures and gathers all relevant information. A unique assessment document is then produced. This document contains the assessors’ findings and any recommendations to ensure the landlord’s legal compliance. Ultimately, the property is graded as either a low, medium or high risk. If it is graded medium or high, remedial actions are recommended. Some of these remedials can be completed by P Cookson Maintenance. Others may require a plumber, electrician or a legionella control company affiliated to P Cookson Maintenance.How often is it needed?
We recommend systems with stored water present must be assessed annually and without stored water, every two years.- CITY & GUILDS TICKETED
- FULLY CALIBRATED EQUIPMENT
- UNIQUELY GENERATED RISK ASSESSMENT
- FULL PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
- FULL REMEDIAL SERVICE
- DBS CHECKED OPERATIVES
- GDPR COMPLIANT
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