Commercial and Public Buildings Legionella Risk Management and Control
Commercial and Public buildings include a whole range of challenges with respect to Legionella Risk and Control Management.
Not only are there hot and cold water services, there will be many other types of water systems, depending on the type of activity occurring on each site. These include:
Cooling Towers
Air Handling Systems
Wet humidification systems
Paint spray booths
Vehicle washing
High-pressure cleaning facilities
Plastic extrusion cooling
Multitude of water based process systems
Ornamental Fountain systems
Swimming pools and Spas
Water treatment system such as water softeners, demineralisation, and filter membrane systems.
All water systems will need to be included in a Legionella Risk Assessment. The level of risk, for each one, will depend on a range of parameters including:
Aerosol formation
Temperature within the system
System contamination and fouling both organic and inorganic
Changes in system water chemistry
Water quality of system make up water
Location and proximity to people
Risk management could include:
Continuous water treatment to control contamination
Continuous low-level disinfection
Temperature monitoring
Frequent cleaning and disinfection
Chemical parameter control such as pH and TDS measurement
Regular water testing and system monitoring
Regular water sampling for bacteria (TVC) and also specifically for the presence of Legionella bacteria.
The Legionella Risk Assessment will require experts, with experience of these and other water based processes, who can assess risk and provide risk control management solutions to the responsible person for each site who could be the health and safety managers or building services manager.
25 Years' Experience
GES Water has 25 years’ experience in Legionella risk control and management. We have experience in the automotive, pharmaceutical, large office blocks, food processing, plastic, chemical manufacturing, steel plants as well as other industrial and commercial sectors.
Main Reference and Guidance Documents for the Control of Legionella
Legionnaires' disease - A brief guide for duty holders
Health and safety guidance HSG274 Part 2 Hot and Cold water service
The control of legionella bacteria in water systems L8. Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations
The control of legionella and other infectious agents in spa-pool systems