Legionella is a common waterborne bacteria which multiples quickly under the right conditions. Inhalation of an aerosol containing Legionella bacteria can lead to Legionnaires’ disease. You can find out more about the effects of Legionnaires’ disease on the human body here. Legionella testing usually starts with a risk assessment carried out by a trained professional.
Breading grounds for Legionella bacteria
Building services water systems such as cooling towers, cold water tanks, hot water heaters & calorifiers are breading grounds for Legionella bacteria. The prime water temperature for proliferation is in the range of 20-45oC. Building services water systems also provide the ideal mechanism for distributing the bacteria, for example, through contaminated water vapour via cooling towers, showers, spray taps, spa baths and other water spray systems.
Health & safety legislation for the control of Legionella bacteria
Water systems are a potential risk and require assessment by a competent person in accordance with guidelines issued from the Health & Safety Executive; namely ACoP L8 ‘The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems’ and a new BS standard BS:8580. Completing a water system risk assessment identifies risks and the control measures required to manage them.
Controlling Legionella bacteria
Control measures include a number of options, for example;
– Maintaining a water temperature outside 20-45oC.
– Cleaning and disinfection of cold water tanks and shower heads.
– Inspection of calorifiers.
– Chemical treatment programmes for cooling towers and evaporative condensers.
– The use of specialist inhibitors, biocides and dispersants.
Legionella monitoring programs
A Legionella risk assessment establishes maintenance and monitoring programs that will be required to maintain water systems without health risks. Programs typically include a mix of temperature monitoring, inspection and sampling for domestic water systems, chemical testing, weekly inspections and monitoring for cooling towers and evaporative condensers
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We’re here to help you with Legionella testing
Glacier Environmental Ltd is an established water treatment company based in the South West and operating across the UK. Specialising in the control and maintenance of water systems that are a potential risk for Legionnaires disease, we bring the latest chemical, technical and legislative knowledge to our work.
Our full service offering includes:
– Legionella risk assessments
– Hot and cold water temperature monitoring
– Cold water storage tank cleaning
– Calorifier and hot water tank cleaning and inspection
– Cold water tank refurbishment
– Cooling tower treatment
– Cooling tower cleaning and disinfection
– Bacteriological testing and sampling
– Legionella testing and sampling
Our in-house specialised work force:
– Train in accordance with the Legionella Control Association training matrix
– Operate quality procedures in-line with the latest ISO 9001 standards
– Are members of the Legionella Control Association, CHAS, Safe Contractor and the Water Management Society
Legionella risk assessment is vital to protect the health and safety of people in your building. If you do not undertake appropriate assessments or preventative measures, you will be legally liable for any harm, injury, or even death, in the event of a Legionella outbreak. Avoid the risk – contact Glacier Environmental Ltd to get your risk assessment completed now.
How much does the service cost?
The price will vary depending on the size and complexity of the system and building. The average cost for assessing a small office block with Glacier is approximately £450. For small, non-complex systems, the cost can be as little as £225.
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Remedial Work
Hot & Cold Water Monitoring Programmes
Microbiological Water Sampling
Water Tank Cleaning
Cooling Tower Management
