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As a facilities manager, you have a legal and professional duty to keep building occupants safe. One of the most important areas of compliance is controlling the risk of Legionella in water systems. This is where ACOP L8  comes in. It is the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Approved Code of Practice for managing Legionella risk, and it should form the backbone of your water safety strategy. This guide explains what ACOP L8 is, why it matters, and what you need to do to s

Introduction As a facilities manager, one of your core responsibilities is keeping your building’s water systems safe, compliant, and free from harmful bacteria. Legionella  is one such risk. It can cause serious illness, including Legionnaires’ disease , if left unmanaged. If your premises include any water systems, you are legally required to carry out a legionella risk assessment  in line with the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8) . Th

As a facilities manager, you know how important water hygiene compliance is - not just for ticking boxes, but for protecting the health of your building users. If you’ve recently had a Legionella risk assessment , you may be looking at a list of recommended remedial works. The big question is: do you tackle just the high-risk items now, or sort the entire system in one go? This guide explores the pros and cons of both approaches to help you decide which is right for your site

Pair of flexi hoses under a sink The Overlooked Risk Inside Flexi Hoses Flexible braided hoses, or flexi hoses, are a familiar sight in commercial plumbing. Whether they’re used to connect sinks, taps or appliances, their flexibility and ease of installation make them a popular choice. However, what many facilities managers don’t realise is that the very materials inside these hoses can create the perfect environment for Legionella bacteria to grow. Legionella pneumophila, t

COVID-19 has changed how commercial buildings are used. While full closures were a short-term disruption, the long-term shift toward hybrid and remote working has resulted in a quieter, less consistently used built environment. For facilities managers, this poses a subtle but serious problem: water systems that are underused or intermittently operated can become breeding grounds for Legionella bacteria . Understanding this ongoing risk and how to manage it is now more importa

What Is a Legionella Risk Assessment? A Legionella risk assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of water systems within a building to identify and manage the risk from the proliferation of the Legionella bacteria . Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease , a severe form of pneumonia contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets. The assessment aims to pinpoint potential sources of Legionella growth and implement control measures to mitigate associated risks

A Sudden Health Crisis in the Heart of Sydney In April 2025, Sydney’s busy Central Business District (CBD) became the centre of a serious public health investigation. Twelve people contracted Legionnaires’ disease after spending time in the city between March 13 and April 5. Tragically, one man in his 50s passed away, while several others were hospitalised with severe pneumonia-like symptoms. Notably, the cases were unconnected-the individuals did not know each other-which s

Dead-end pipework before and after removal. Introduction Water stagnation is a hidden issue in many commercial buildings — and one that can have serious consequences if overlooked. From poor water quality and system inefficiencies to the growth of harmful bacteria like Legionella , the risks are real. For facilities managers, being able to identify and prevent stagnation is not just about ticking boxes - it’s about protecting people, staying compliant, and keeping systems run