What is legionella and why is it dangerous?

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia and was founded in 1976 at a Legion Convention at the Belle Vue hotel in Philadelphia. With an approximate infection rate of around 200-250 individuals (that are reported) in the UK, the mortality rate is around 10% of those who become infected.

Individuals with weakened immune systems, respiratory issues, smokers, and people aged over 45 amongst other underlying issues are more at risk of serious illness once the bacteria is contracted. 

The bacteria can then reach a building through the mains water supply and under the right conditions can multiply. A few of these conditions can be; 

• Water temperatures between 20°C and 45°C
• Water systems with stored and/or recirculation
• Inadequately designed water systems 
• Water systems with contamination such as biofilm, cold water storage tanks containing sediment, dead legs influencing stagnant water etc.

For an individual to contract the disease, water droplets containing the bacteria have to be transmitted in aerosol form and then inhaled into an individual’s lungs, here is where the bacteria can also multiply under body temperature at 37°C. A more uncommon way of contracting the disease is through aspiration where liquid containing the bacteria accidentally passes into the lungs.

For more information about legionella and its effects, click here to read more: Have you ever had legionella?

What do the legionella regulations say?

The regulations require the employer / duty holder to carry out a legionella risk assessments, therefore it is a legal requirement.

Lucion Services can provide a suitable and sufficient legionella risk assessment in accordance with the following legionella guidance documents;

• Approved Code Of Practice L8 (2013) 
• Health and Safety Guidance 274 Part 1 - 3 (2013/14) 
• British Standard 8580-1:2019. Water Quality - Risk Assessments For Legionella Control (click for overview document)
• Health Technical Memorandum 04-01 Part A and D 2016 

A legionella risk assessment is crucial to achieving compliance for all duty holders, building or assets owners/managers, landlords and employers. Ensuring adequate measures are in place to prevent exposure to the bacteria is crucial in safeguarding individuals.

How Can We Help You Manage The Risks?

Our team of legionella consultants can help you through the process of managing your water systems by conducting legionella risk assessments. As part of the well established LCA. Being members of the LCA ensures our work is of the highest of standards, with annual audits from the LCA also keeps us at highest of standards.

Visit the LCA directory for more information.

Further to this, Lucion Services can complete planned preventative maintenance tasks such as temperature monitoring, shower de-scales, expansion vessel flushing, calorifier and cold water storage tank inspections and many more. We also carry out legionella sampling that can provide a more accurate analysis of the potential bacteria in the water system.

All of your hazardous substance information, surveys, analysis and documentation will be recorded on our in-house, cloud based hazardous material compliance system NexGen, provided freely with our services. Make legionella risk control and management a breeze by getting in touch with our team today.

Make legionella risk management a breeze by getting in touch with our team today. Click 'Make an Enquiry' now or give our team a call on 0345 5040 303.