Compliance
means that it must be free of waterborne bacteria such as Legionella. In order to help prevent the proliferation of Legionella, water must be able to circulate freely throughout all water carrying pipework. Many care homes are located in
adapted older buildings, while other more modern, purpose-built homes may have been extended or altered as the successful business expands. This sometimes leads to the pipework being reconfigured, and may include the addition or removal of water outlets such as drinking fountains, basins, or showers. Altering the pipework must be done with care as there is potential to create what are known as ‘dead legs’ – lengths of pipe which are effectively dead ends, and in which water can remain static. Static water is particularly high risk for the proliferation of Legionella, especially when the temperature of the water is raised, either by solar gain or ambient temperatures. Legionella proliferates in tepid, static water. Legionella bacteria is the cause of Legionnaire’s Disease, a severely debilitating ‘flu-like illness, which is particularly serious for the elderly or frail, especially those with an underlying health condition or a weakened immune system. Around 12 per cent of people who contract Legionnaire’s Disease will die from it, particularly in this more vulnerable group. Legionnaire’s Disease is contracted by breathing in minute droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. This gives us something of a dilemma. Although water systems must be regularly flushed when not in constant use, they must be flushed safely – without creating spray – in case bacteria is present in the droplets created, and inhaled by the person flushing the system. Ironically, Legionnaire’s Disease can easily be caught by a cleaner using an unflushed water system. It takes up to 14 days for symptoms of Legionnaire’s Disease to present, so anyone can be infected
You have a legal duty to prevent the proliferation of Legionella
without it being immediately obvious. If you have a room – especially an en
suite or wet room/bathroom facility – which is unused for more than a few days, you should complete flushing routines every few days so that the water is not left static in the pipework for too long. The Approved Code of Practice L8, issued by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) explains when and how this should be done. Sink or basin taps should be run for
several minutes, but without causing splashing or spray. The best way to do this is to cover the tap with a plastic bag or a nitrile glove with a hole cut in the finger to create a channel for the water to run onto the basin surface smoothly, without splashing. Toilets should be flushed several times with the lid shut. With the lid up, the flush can create a large upward spray of microscopic water droplets which can be inhaled and which can settle on other surfaces of the
bathroom, carrying any bacteria present in the toilet bowl when flushed. Showerheads should be placed in a
bowl or jug for of water before running the water, so the spray from the showerhead is submerged and water can run away without splashing. If you find that you have water outlets which are rarely or never used, it is better to have them removed by a competent plumber, removing any unnecessary pipework to prevent potential dead legs. It is also good practice in your own home,
following more than a few days away, to flush your domestic water system through in the ways described, to safeguard both your and your family’s health.
A legal duty As a care home owner, manager, or facilities manager, you have a legal duty to prevent the proliferation of Legionella, and certainly to prevent any outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Disease. You must, therefore, always have an up-to-date Legionella Risk Assessment, and you should have protocols in place to make sure that you know how to stay compliant with the ACoP L8, which governs the control and prevention of Legionella. Your risk assessment should be updated whenever there is a significant change to the water system; and also when there is a change of Responsible Person. In practice, this means that if your property owner, facilities manager or manager with responsibility for building maintenance changes, you must update your risk assessment so that they are clearly identified. An out-of-date risk assessment can leave you open to an accusation of negligence. Negligence in Legionella prevention has serious consequences, including prosecution of the individuals responsible,
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com February 2025
FurkanAli -
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