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Legionnaires’ disease rarely develops because of one major failure. In most commercial buildings, the risk builds slowly over time through a combination of stagnant water, unstable temperatures, poor water turnover and overlooked maintenance issues. For facilities managers, that is what makes Legionella control challenging. Problems are often hidden inside systems that appear to be operating normally. A little used shower, poorly insulated pipework, oversized cold water stora

For facilities managers, temperature control is one of the most practical ways to manage Legionella risk in hot and cold water systems. The simple answer is that Legionella bacteria do not survive above 60°C, but the full picture is slightly more useful than that. Legionella does not usually die instantly the moment water reaches a certain temperature. The higher the temperature, and the longer the bacteria are exposed to it, the more effective the control becomes. That is wh

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria . It is usually caught by breathing in tiny droplets of water (aerosols) that contain the bacteria. It is important to understand that Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person in the way colds and flu are. Instead, it is linked to man made water systems , particularly in larger or more complex buildings. For facilities managers and duty holders, Legionnaires’ disease is one of

If you are responsible for managing a building’s water system, understanding what a dead leg is and why it matters is essential. Dead legs are closely linked to water stagnation, loss of disinfectant protection, and conditions that increase the risk of Legionella bacteria developing within pipework. Put simply, a dead leg is a section of pipe where water does not flow often enough, or at all. The water inside becomes stagnant, meaning it sits for extended periods without bein

Keeping a building’s water systems safe is one of those responsibilities that sits quietly in the background until something goes wrong. Most facilities managers know temperature checks, flushing routines and general upkeep are vital, but the area that often raises the most questions is testing for Legionella . The process is not complicated, although it does need a structured approach and a clear understanding of why each step matters. Legionella bacteria can appear in water

Understanding the Purpose of a Legionella Risk Assessment A Legionella risk assessment is a structured review of the water systems within a building to identify conditions that could support the growth of Legionella bacteria . These bacteria thrive in water that is warm, stagnant or contaminated with scale or biofilm. When droplets from contaminated water become airborne, they can be inhaled and potentially lead to Legionnaires disease. For anyone responsible for a building,

Little used outlets are one of the most common sources of water quality problems in commercial buildings. When water sits still inside pipework, it rapidly loses disinfectant residual, drops in temperature and begins to stagnate. This creates ideal conditions for bacteria, including organisms such as Legionella pneumophila , to multiply. It also encourages scale, biofilm and sediment build-up, which can eventually compromise both water safety and system performance. For any f

BS 7592:2022 is aimed at commercial water systems - hot and cold-water distribution loops, tanks, calorifiers, cooling towers, spa pools and others where water can be stored, recirculated or aerosolised. It sets out how to take water, sediment or biofilm samples as part of your microbiological monitoring and how such sampling links into your overall water-safety strategy. Why your sampling plan must have a clear rationale One of the key principles of BS 7592:2022 is that Legi