Understanding Your Legionella Risk Assessment Ratings
A Legionella risk assessment is crucial for any landlord or business owner in the UK to adhere to health and safety regulations and understanding your Legionella Risk Assessment rating is crucial.
But what do the results mean? Here, at Pipe Testing Services, we can help you break down Legionella risk ratings so you know how to interpret your assessment.
Legionella pneumophila is a potentially deadly bacteria that can contaminate water systems. It thrives in warm water temperatures between 20-50°C. When water droplets containing the bacteria are inhaled, Legionellosis or Legionnaires’ disease can occur. This causes severe pneumonia-like symptoms.
What Gets Rated in a Legionella Risk Assessment?
A qualified Legionella assessor will evaluate the risk level of your water systems based on:
- Water Temperatures - Hot water should be stored above 60°C and distributed above 50°C. Cooler temperatures allow Legionella growth.
- Pipework layout - Complex layouts with dead legs, infrequently used outlets etc. increase risk. Simple, direct pipe runs are better.
- Water usage patterns - Stagnant water enables Legionella to multiply. Frequent water usage prevents this.
- Susceptible occupants - Consider whether the building houses people more vulnerable to infection.
- Water treatment regimen - Disinfectant dosing, temperature monitoring etc. reduce risks
- Maintenance procedures - Flush infrequently used outlets weekly. Descale shower heads quarterly.
What Do the Risk Ratings Signify?
Your water systems will receive an overall risk rating of high, medium or low based on the factors assessed.
Water temperatures are safe. Pipe layouts limit stagnant water. Regular usage occurs. Residents have low susceptibility. Preventative treatment and maintenance are thorough.
There are some areas of concern but they likely can be addressed easily through improved maintenance or water hygiene regimes.
Multiple significant hazards identified. Immediate remediation is recommended along with long-term preventative measures.
Appropriate Next Steps Based on Your Rating
If your site receives a low or medium risk rating, keep up your water treatment procedures and ensure regular maintenance occurs. Check water temperatures monthly and record results. Review your risk assessment annually or if changes are made to the water system.
In contrast, a high-risk rating means Legionella hazards need urgent correction. Work with a water hygiene specialist like Pipe Testing Services to:
- Conduct a full site inspection and testing for Legionella bacteria
- Complete emergency disinfection cleansing of water systems
- Install secondary hot water temperature controls
- Upgrade outdated pipework causing water stagnation
- Set up an ongoing water treatment plan
Case Study Examples of Remediation Strategies
To give you a better idea of real-world risk management approaches, here are two examples:
A 100-room city hotel had a high Legionella rating due to low hot water temperatures and guestroom showers not being used for days at a time. To reduce risks, copper and silver ion dosing were installed along with more storage water heaters and thermostatic mixer valves on all guestroom showers. Usage procedures now ensure housekeepers flush all showerheads weekly.
An older care home was rated high-risk because of its outdated plumbing and high-risk residents. To bring risks down, new thermostatic mixing valves were added along with small point-of-use water heaters by sink taps to ensure outlet temperatures stayed above 50°C. Smart monitoring was also implemented to track usage and temperatures.
If you’re looking for more information on how to prepare for your first legionella risk assessment, you can take a look at our blog post here
Get Your Customised Risk Remediation Strategy
If your Legionella inspection reveals high-risk areas needing correction, Legionella contractors such as us can customise an effective water management plan for your site. With options from one-time emergency disinfection to fully outsourced ongoing water treatment, we make safety compliance simple.
Get a Compliant Legionella Risk Assessment from the Experts
With years of experience and highly qualified assessors, Pipe Testing Services leaves no stone unturned. We are a trusted, UK-wide provider – our Legionella risk assessments adhere to all health and safety legal requirements. We can help you in clearing up and understanding your Legionella Risk Assessment.
For reliable, comprehensive evaluations of your water systems, contact us to book a consultation. Our team is committed to delivering reputable services for safer, compliant buildings.
Get in touch today to discuss your needs or receive a quote for professional Legionella risk assessments.
Phone: 01922 451646
Email: enquiries@pipetestingservices.co.uk
Address: Unit 27 Birchbrook Industrial Estate, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 0DJ
Don’t hesitate to get in contact – we are happy to answer any questions and provide guidance on Legionella compliance. Call now to speak with one of our water hygiene experts.
FAQs
The 3 risk rating levels are low, medium and high. Low means few significant risks found, medium means some hazards identified, and high means multiple concerning hazards discovered.
No, a medium risk rating means some areas need improvement but you can likely address them through enhanced maintenance and water treatment regimens without closing.
Legionella remedial works should start right away if you receive a high-risk rating. Medium-risk actions should be addressed in a reasonable timeframe such as 30-90 days.
Water should be stored and distributed above 50°C to prevent Legionella from multiplying. Storing hot water above 60°C is ideal.
While simple maintenance tasks can be DIY, more complex remediation like pipework changes or water treatment systems should get handled by qualified water hygiene specialists.
Reassessments should occur every 2 years or whenever significant changes are made to the water system, occupants or facility usage patterns.