Owners, managers and landlords of commercial and residential properties have a legal responsibility to ensure that their premises are safe for all residents, employees and visitors.
Part of this involves testing, checking, risk assessing and maintaining the buildings water systems to prevent and control the risk of Legionella.
Legionella Testing & Risk Assessment Services
At SE Asbestos, our expert team deliver fast, reliable and cost-effective legionella testing and risk assessment services that help to keep properties and businesses safe and compliant.
Get in touch today to find out more about our legionella testing .
What Is Legionella?
Legionella is a hazardous, waterborne bacteria that can be found in both natural water sources and manmade water systems which is where they can pose a serious threat to human health.
A small amount of Legionella bacteria in water is often normal, but under certain conditions, the bacteria can thrive and multiply, contaminating the water. In systems where water can be aerosolised such as showers, pools, spas and hot & cold-water systems, the contaminated droplets can be easily inhaled into the lungs which can lead to Legionnaires disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is a dangerous form of pneumonia with a mortality rate of around 13% and is especially fatal to those who are elderly, unwell or have a comprised immune system.
The Testing and Risk Assessment Process
Legionella testing and risk assessments are an essential part of maintaining a safe and compliant property for landlords and business owners.
Legionella Testing
Regular testing of water systems has been proven to help mitigate the risk of legionella contamination. A legionella test must be carried out by a competent person who has had sufficient training on identifying the correct areas and conditions in the system that are high risk.
Our legionella testing services are handled by trained experts who have years of experience working on water systems of all types, size and scale for various properties, businesses and industries. The process itself usually involves;
- An initial assessment of the water systems
- Creating a sampling plan that details the number, type and location of samples to be taken
- Taking samples using a bottle sampling method using small, sterile vials.
- Results usually take around 10-14 days
Legionella Risk Assessments
A legionella risk assessment is the key to identifying any potential risk factors within the property and pinpointing required interventions, changes and improvements that need to be made to reduce or remove the risk. This helps to establish robust legionella risk controls that work proactively to prevent an outbreak from occurring
Our legionella risk assessment service typically includes the following;
- A document containing an overview of the system including all pipework, schematics and photographic evidence
- The testing of hot and cold water at key points or high-risk areas throughout the building
- Surveys of water tanks
- Temperature profiling
- Flow and stagnation tests
- Identification of risks
- Recommendations for legionella control and management
- Supply basic training to staff
Professional Legionella Control Services
An outbreak of Legionnaires disease can have severe consequences for everyone involved, including large fines, penalties and even jail time for those who are responsible if found guilty of failing to prevent it.
Talk to SE Asbestos Surveys today!
Don’t leave anything to chance and get in touch with SE Asbestos today to find out more about legionella testing and speak to one of our friendly advisors about how we can help to keep your property safe from the dangers of Legionella.