Legionella Risk Assessment Services UK | ACOP L8 Compliance | PTS
Legionella bacteria are naturally present in water sources but can multiply to dangerous levels within man-made water systems, potentially causing the severe, sometimes fatal, pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. Under UK health and safety law, employers, landlords, and anyone in control of premises have a legal duty to manage this risk. The fundamental first step required by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in their Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L8) is conducting a suitable and sufficient Legionella Risk Assessment.
Pipe Testing Services (PTS) provides expert, comprehensive Legionella risk assessment services across the UK. Our experienced assessors help you identify potential hazards, evaluate risks, ensure compliance with ACOP L8, and establish effective control measures to safeguard the health of employees, tenants, visitors, and residents.
Why is a Legionella Risk Assessment Essential?
Carrying out a Legionella risk assessment isn’t just good practice; it’s a critical legal requirement and the foundation of effective water safety management. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Legal Compliance: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH Regulations require Duty Holders to assess and control risks. ACOP L8 specifically mandates a Legionella risk assessment as the starting point for compliance. Failure to do so can lead to enforcement action and prosecution by the HSE.
- Protecting Health: The primary goal is to prevent exposure to Legionella bacteria and the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease, particularly protecting those more vulnerable, such as the elderly or immunocompromised.
- Identifying Specific Hazards: A thorough assessment pinpoints where Legionella bacteria could grow (e.g., areas with temperatures between 20-45°C, stagnant water, biofilm build-up) and where potentially contaminated water aerosols could be generated and inhaled (e.g., showers, cooling towers, spa pools).
- Informing Control Measures: The findings directly inform the development or review of your site-specific written scheme for controlling Legionella risk, ensuring preventative measures are targeted and effective.
- Demonstrating Due Diligence: A professionally conducted risk assessment provides documented evidence that you are taking reasonably practicable steps to manage water safety risks.
Who Needs a Legionella Risk Assessment?
The legal duty applies to virtually all workplaces and premises where water is stored or used in a way that could lead to Legionella growth and aerosol exposure. This includes, but is not limited to:
- All business premises with employees or public access (offices, factories, warehouses, shops).
- Landlords of residential properties (both individual properties and blocks of flats).
- Healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, dental practices - subject to specific guidance like HTM 04-01).
- Care homes and social housing providers.
- Hotels, hostels, holiday lets, and B&Bs.
- Schools, colleges, and universities.
- Leisure centres, gyms, and sports facilities (especially those with showers or spa pools).
- Facilities operating cooling towers or evaporative condensers.
- Any building with complex hot and cold water systems, stored water tanks, or water features that generate spray.
Assessments are crucial not just initially, but especially following system changes, renovations, periods of disuse, or if concerns arise about control measures.
Who Needs a Legionella Risk Assessment?
We start by understanding your site, water systems (reviewing schematics if available), usage patterns, existing control measures, and maintenance records.
Our assessors conduct a detailed physical inspection covering:
- Water entry point(s) and source (mains/tank).
- Cold Water Storage Tanks: Assessing condition, design, insulation, lids/screens, temperature, and signs of contamination/stagnation.
- Water Heaters/Calorifiers: Checking type, condition, operating temperatures (storage and distribution), and potential for stratification or stagnation.
- Distribution Pipework: Identifying materials, assessing insulation, locating dead legs or areas of low flow.
- Outlets: Inspecting representative taps, showers (cleanliness, type), TMVs, and other appliances for condition and potential aerosol generation.
- Specific High-Risk Systems: Detailed assessment of cooling towers, spa pools, humidifiers, etc., if present.
Using calibrated thermometers, we measure hot water temperatures (at source and sentinel/representative outlets) and cold water temperatures (at entry and representative outlets) to check compliance with recommended ranges (Hot ≥50°C at outlets within 1 min, Cold ≤20°C).
We review your current written scheme (if existing), monitoring records (temperature checks, flushing logs), maintenance procedures, and staff training related to Legionella control.
Based on all findings, we assess the likelihood of Legionella growth and exposure, considering system condition, temperatures, potential for stagnation/aerosols, and the susceptibility of building occupants. Risks are typically rated for prioritisation.
PTS provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report containing:
- An executive summary of key findings and risks.
- A description of the water systems assessed, often including an asset register.
- Photographic evidence supporting findings.
- Clear identification of non-compliances and potential hazards.
- A prioritised list of recommendations for necessary control measures and any required Legionella Remedial Works.
- Guidance on implementing or refining your written scheme and monitoring program.
Choosing PTS: Your Competent Legionella Risk Assessor
ACOP L8 mandates that risk assessments must be carried out by a ‘competent person’ – someone with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. Choosing PTS ensures this critical requirement is met. Our assessors are highly trained, and possess extensive practical experience across diverse UK properties.
We bring an in-depth understanding of ACOP L8, HSG274, and related regulations, ensuring our assessments are fully compliant. We employ a rigorous, systematic methodology and use calibrated equipment for accurate temperature readings. Our focus is on providing impartial, practical, and proportionate recommendations presented in clear, actionable reports, helping you effectively manage risk and achieve compliance. With nationwide coverage, PTS delivers reliable, expert assessment services wherever you are located.
How Often Should a Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?
A Legionella risk assessment is not a one-off task. ACOP L8 requires that the assessment is reviewed regularly and specifically whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid. Best practice, and often contractual requirements, typically recommend a formal review at least every two years. However, a review is needed sooner if:
- There are changes to the water system or its use.
- Changes occur in the use of the building.
- New information about risks or control measures becomes available.
- Checks indicate that control measures are no longer effective.
- A case of Legionnaires’ disease is associated with the system.
Legionella Risk Assessment Costs
The cost of a Legionella risk assessment depends on the size and complexity of the building’s water systems, the number of outlets, and the presence of high-risk systems like cooling towers. PTS offers competitive pricing based on a clear understanding of your specific needs. An investment in a quality risk assessment is highly cost-effective compared to the potential consequences of non-compliance or an outbreak. We provide transparent, no-obligation quotations – contact us to discuss your requirements.
Contact PTS for Your Legionella Risk Assessment
Ensure you meet your legal obligations and protect people from harm. Book a comprehensive Legionella Risk Assessment with the experts at Pipe Testing Services.
Discuss your requirements and receive a tailored, no-obligation quotation today:
- Phone – 01922 451646
- Email – enquiries@pipetestingservices.co.uk
- Address – Unit 27 Birchbrook Industrial Estate, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 0DJ
Partner with PTS for compliant, reliable Legionella risk management solutions across the UK.
Legionella Risk Assessment - FAQs
Yes. Landlords have a legal duty under health and safety law to assess and control the risk of Legionella exposure to their tenants. A risk assessment is the first step.
The report will provide prioritised recommendations. You, as the Duty Holder, are responsible for ensuring appropriate action is taken, which may involve implementing new control measures or carrying out Legionella Remedial Works. PTS can assist with many of these remedial actions.
ACOP L8 requires the assessment to be done by a competent person. While simple assessments in very small, low-risk domestic settings might be feasible for a knowledgeable landlord, for most workplaces or complex systems, using a trained, experienced external assessor like PTS is strongly recommended to ensure adequacy and compliance.
While risk assessment is primarily a physical survey and evaluation, Legionella testing (water sampling) may be recommended as part of the ongoing monitoring scheme, especially for high-risk systems or where control measures are suspect. PTS can facilitate UKAS-accredited sampling.
This is a document required by ACOP L8 outlining how you manage Legionella risk based on your assessment. It details roles, responsibilities, control measures (like temperature checks, flushing), monitoring frequencies, and contingency plans. Your risk assessment report provides the basis for creating or updating this scheme.