RESPIRATORY HEALTH DORMANT BUT DEADLY must be taken as we open the doors of dormant buildings.
The last four months have been an unprecedented time, with commercial building in our towns and cities empty and the majority of the population forced indoors to stop the spread of COVID-19. Now, with the virus hopefully in retreat, UK businesses are opening up once more to safely welcome back employees and customers.
However, ‘safely’ is not just in relation to preventing the spread of coronavirus. When it comes to water systems in particular, care must be taken to ensure that Legionella and other bacteria have not taken hold, with steps that began during lockdown. Dormant buildings have created the perfect conditions for this potentially deadly pathogen – undisturbed, in often warmer than average temperatures, Legionella has been able to thrive in abundance.
Spread by inhaling droplets that contain viable bacteria, particular care must be taken around hot and cold water outlets, wet air conditioning plant and cooling towers. In a normally occupied building, these locations are used regularly, flushing away the Legionella. Without the people, this process has not been taking place, leaving the Legionella-control strategy in some cases ineffective.
Throughout lockdown, Legionella prevention was considered an essential service, and FMs and maintenance teams should have kept up testing, servicing and flushing regimes – in most cases increasing them.
KEEPING LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE AT BAY The simple answer to preventing Legionella
proliferation might appear to be flushing out a water system before it is used. It is not a standalone solution, however, and can cause problems with other types of bacteria. We have evidence that shows buildings that have been flushed but little else during lockdown, have significantly increased TVC (Total Viable Count).
The best approach must always be a holistic one, based on a particular building and its environment. Cutting corners will risk people’s health and delay building reopening.
To understand what’s required, supplementary microbiological samples should be taken to prove regimes are effective. Drinking water also needs to be tested to ensure it is still potable.
When it’s time to open the doors, a Legionella risk assessment must take place in accordance with ACoP L8. If a building is not returning to full occupancy this should be considered – it may be that some of the water system will remain unused and must therefore continue with ‘lockdown’ Legionella prevention regimes.
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WHILE A BUILDING IS DORMANT, THE SPREAD OF LEGIONELLA CAN BE MINIMISED BY:
• Reducing locations in which stagnant water can thrive. This could include cutting tank capacity or the number of tanks in use.
• Cooling towers are a common way that Legionella is spread, so where possible, testing regimes and daily tasks relating to cooling towers must be upheld. If access is really not an option, the cooling tower and associated systems can be shut down.
• Flushing should not be avoided, despite its pitfalls. Little used outlets will need to be flushed regularly.
• Water heaters can be turned off if hot water is not required - as long as the water is stored at less than 20˚C. Outlets should be flushed daily or as frequently as possible.
• Salt levels in the brine tank should be checked regularly and topped up if required. It is likely that the amount of softened water required will be less than usual.
According to the Legionella Control Association, simply reopening a building that has stood idle without addressing the safety of its water systems is unacceptable and likely to be in breach of health and safety law.
A SUCCESSFUL START As we come out of lockdown, it’s important that all
risks are considered. It might seem that COVID-19 is the only problem in the world right now, but that is not the case. Life is full of risk, ignoring some of the other fundamentals of public health and safety may see businesses stumble before they even start.
Many UK buildings have never experienced such long periods of in-occupancy – everything must be checked to ensure a safe return. An outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease is the last thing any of us need.
www.gwtltd.com.
www.tomorrowshs.com
As commercial buildings come out of lockdown, the risk of Legionella bacteria is heightened. Toby Hunt of Guardian Water Treatment, explains why extra caution
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