The Control
of Legionella and Legionellosis in Scotland
Our water services throughout Scotland will be routinely checked and inspected, and should be
well maintained. The frequency of inspection and maintenance will
depend on the system and the risk it presents. For most systems
in stable operation it will be sufficient to inspect and check the
following:
• Conditions
in tanks, for the presence of organic materials, vermin, etc.
(annually or more frequently if there is reason to suspect
contamination);
• Conditions in calorifiers, for organic materials and
unduly heavy build of scale (annually)
• The condition of accessible pipework and insulation
(annually)
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The
system will require more frequent inspection and checking if
it is not in stable operation, eg., because of poor supply water
quality, inadequate enclosure of tanks or faulty operation of
plant. More frequent inspection we supply to our customers around Scotland will include checking where necessary in buildings where there is a high risk. |
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Water service should be disinfected before
being taken into use to remove contamination which may have
occurred during construction, or during repair and alteration
to external pipework, in accordance with the British Standard
6700 specification for the design, installation, testing and
maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within
buildings and their curtilages. This is for purposes other
than the control of legionella.
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Hot and Cold Water
Services

1.
Carry out risk assessment
2.
Drain down and clean tank
3.
Paint tank if metal, using suitable paint
4.
Chlorinate, tank and dose system at 50ppm
5.
Take water samples for analysis
6.
Reinstate water system
7.
Legislation and maintenance (see below)
Legislation
for the Control of Legionella
1. Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc
Act 1974 extend to risks from legionella arising from work activities.
More specifically, the Control of Sustances Hazardous to health
Regulations 1988 (COSHH) relate to the risks from hazardous micro-organisms,
including legionella and chemicals such as biocides and chlorine.
Under these Regulations risk assessment and the adoption of appropriate
precautions are required.
2. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) The prevention
or control of legionellosis (including legionnaires’ disease)
gives practical guidelines on the standards that must be met in
order to comply with the legal requirements for dealing with this
risk. The ACOP applies wherever water is stored and used in a way
which may create a reasonably foreseeable risk of legionellosis
and in particular to the following plant and systems where the Health
and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies.
3. The ACOP explains that in order to comply with
their legal duties, employers and others should:
a. identify and assess the sources of risk;
b. prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk;
c. implement and manage precautions;
d. keep records of the precautions implemented.
4. The ACOP also sets out the responsibilities of
manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers of products and
services. The statutory requirements are enforced by Health and
Safety Executive inspectors in factories, hospitals, laboratories,
education establishments, docks and construction sites. As well
as in shops, offices, warehouses, hotel and catering establishments.
They are enforced by local authorities who also have responsibilities
for public health. Past outbreaks of legionnaires’ disease
in the UK have demonstrated the implications for public health.
5. Some of the control measures required by the
legislation (in combination with the ACOP) have to be applied ‘so
far as is reasonably practical’. This means that in determining
what measures should be taken, or to what extent, the degree or
risk of legionellosis should be weighed against the cost and difficulty
of applying the measures in question. On balance the benefits of
adopting a particular method or system (ie., the reduction of risk)
should outweigh the costs involved.
Routine Inspection
and Maintenance
6. Water services should be routinely checked and
inspected, and should be well maintained. The frequency of inspection
and maintenance will depend on the system and the risk it presents.
For most systems in stable operation it will be sufficient to inspect
and check the following:
a. Conditions in tanks, for the presence of organic
materials, vermin, etc. (annually or more frequently if there is
reason to suspect contamination);
b. Conditions in calorifiers, for organic materials and unduly heavy
build of scale (annually);
c. The condition of accessible pipework and insulation (annually).
7. The system will require more frequent inspection
and checking if it is not in stable operation, eg., because of poor
supply water quality, inadequeate enclosure of tanks or faulty operation
of plant. More frequent inspection and checking will also be necessary
in buildings where there is a high risk.
Cleaning and
Disinfection in Scotland
8. Water service
should be disinfected before being taken into use to remove contamination
which may have occurred during construction, or during repair and
alteration to external pipework, in accordance with the British
Standard 6700 specification for the design, installation, testing
and maintenance of services supplying water for domestic use within
buildings and their curtilages. This is for purposes other than
the control of legionella. For more information about our legionellosis control services throughout Scotland please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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