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Healthy-Buildings - Legionella Risk Assessment Service
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. People may get infected when they breathe in tiny water droplets (aerosols) or droplet nuclei (particles left after the water has evaporated), which are contaminated with elevated concentrations of legionella bacteria.
Legionella may via the mains water supply, colonise man made hot and cold water systems, cooling towers & evaporative cooling systems as well as spa pools or jacuzzis. If these systems are poorly maintained or managed and conditions are favourable the bacteria may grow within these systems leading to an increased risk of Legionellosis (the collective term referring to the pneumonia like diseases’ caused by the bacteria).
Legionella bacteria grow best between temperatures of 20°C - 45°C with optimum growth temperature being 35°C - 40°C. High temperatures (minimum 60°C) kill the bacteria. Legionella bacteria are found in low numbers in natural aquatic environments, for instance, lakes, rivers and ground water. As a result it is virtually impossible to prevent legionella bacteria entering man-made water systems. In low numbers the bacteria are generally considered harmless. With the correct conditions, for example, warm water, the presence of micro-organisms and nutrients in the water or materials such as rust, the bacteria can grow and multiply to high levels which increase the risk of exposure. The bacteria tend to grow in biofilms (slime). Biofilms are likely to form on surfaces where there is low water flow or water is allowed to stagnate. The growth of the bacteria can however be controlled.
The first step to manage this risk is to assess the level of risk within your premises. The HSE’s publication HSG 274 Legionnaires’ disease Part 2: The control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems states that:
Carrying out a legionella risk assessment and ensuring it remains up to date is required under health and safety law and is a key duty when managing the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria.
HBI by UL Solutions Legionella risk assessment services assist customers in controlling the risk of Legionnaires’ disease posed by water systems in their premises. As market leaders in our industry, In 2012 HBI by UL Solutions became the first company in the world to gain UKAS accreditation for Legionella risk assessment. All HBI by UL Solutions personnel undertaking these services will be suitably trained and qualified to perform their tasks, complying with our accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020/2012 as an inspection body for Legionella risk assessment.
HBI by UL Solutions services include:
- UKAS accredited Legionella Risk Assessment
- Provision of L8 compliant Water Logbooks
- Water System Schematic Drawings
- Microbial Sampling