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Hilary Breck, Broadway, Wallasey, Wirral, CH45 3NA
HATS Heating & Technical Services: Legionnaires Disease Control
Legionella bacteria are common in natural water systems e.g. rivers and ponds but are normally only found in small numbers. However, if the conditions are favourable then the bacteria will grow and so increase the risk of Legionnaires Disease (NB this is rare from these sources).
Most often outbreaks of Legionnaires are caused by the exposure to Legionella growing in purpose built systems, where water is maintained at higher temperatures encouraging growth of the bacteria. Such systems include those with a cooling tower, an evaporative condenser and hot water systems used in both commercial and domestic premises.
Contraction of Legionnaires Disease is by inhalation of water droplets infected with the Legionella bacteria. There is no evidence to show that this is a communicable disease. Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and a dry cough. Most suffer with difficulty with breathing and some may develop diarrhoea, vomiting and confusion.
It is therefore important to control the risks of Legionnaires disease by implementing the measures outlined in The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8): www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/
HATS offer a service to put in a System of Control to aid in the prevention of the Legionella Disease.
Remedial works can be carried out which include the following:
- Upgrade pipework to WRAS approved standard
- Clean out and chlorinate calorifiers, water heaters and cisterns
- Trace existing pipework and identify and remove any dead legs back to source where possible
- Alter water temperatures to satisfy the control of Legionella bacteria
- Improve access to tanks and cisterns so that regular inspections can be carried out
- Produce a folder detailing a schematic drawing of the pipework on the premises complete with a schedule for on-going water hygiene monitoring
- Provide you with a clear understanding of how to monitor the control of Legionella within your water systems
If you have had a recent Legionella Assessment to comply with your building insurance and wish to install a System of Control please call HATS Heating & Technical Services on 0151 630 0559 or contact us via the contact page to discuss your requirements.
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