Safety & Regulation While Legionella can infect anyone, some are more susceptible than others.


Anyone who has existing lung disease is especially vulnerable and high-risk individuals following COVID-19 with c. 20% of secondary infections are identified as LD in one study.


RISK ASSESSMENT Te law is quite clear here. Where the Health and Safety at Work Act applies there must be a Legionella Risk Assessment.


CONTROL MEASURES Any risk needs to be controlled to an acceptable level. Te HSE uses the term as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), and this is the target level of risk for any system. Legionella control measures usually include maintaining temperature, use of water treatment, flushing and physical control.


SAMPLING & ANALYSIS Sampling should be driven by risk assessment; where high-risk areas are identified sampling might be recommended. Where control measures are lost, reactive sampling for legionella weekly should be carried out until control is re-established.


POSITIVE LEGIONELLA RESULTS Around 13% of all samples in the UK return a positive so it’s not uncommon to have positive Legionella results. Act on a result to address the immediate risk (the symptom) and the


underlying issues (the cause). Cleaning & disinfection is commonly used as an immediate risk reduction measure, but a review of the risk assessment and identification root cause analysis is critical.


SUMMARY LD is potentially fatal but preventable. Employers and those in control of premises have a legal duty to ensure risks are identified and controlled. Legionella prosecutions result in large fines and custodial sentences, and it is not


Gilberts helps protect twin towers


An “iconic” site that has been transformed into high rise, high specifi cation living for young professionals is a showcase for the latest in modern methods of construction- including its fi re protection. T e Coventry development – named Elliotts Yard aſt er the automotive business that occupied the city centre site since the 1920s- comprises two separate buildings including a 17-storey tower containing a total 200 apartments. Modular construction techniques were chosen as far as possible to deliver a sustainable solution that simultaneously provided robust acoustic and fi re safety performance, including precast concrete sandwich panels and the latest in smoke evacuation – Gilberts Blackpool’s’ Series 60 dampers. M & E contractor on the project Excelsior Services (Residential) commissioned smoke control specialist Baiceir to design the most effi cient means of protecting the towers. Baiceir recommended installation of a Gilberts Series 60 smoke damper into the fi re shaſt s on each fl oor (30no in total), with fan skids on the roof of each building to accelerate smoke evacuation. Baiceir Director Andy Baker said, “It is vital that tall, residential buildings are safe. We hope our clients never need to use our systems, but clients need the peace of mind that if the smoke/fi re evacuation systems ARE needed, they will perform. T e great design and quality of manufacture in Gilberts’ Series 60m smoke dampers makes fi tting them a breeze”.


01253 766911 info@gilbertsblackpool.com HMM04_Gilberts_Safety & Security - Smoke & Fire Protection_DPR.indd 1 11/04/2022 14:37


necessary for there to be a death or case of disease for a successful prosecution. If your water system exposes stakeholders to risk of harm, you are committing an offence.


Te LCA is a voluntary organisation whose membership comprises providers of services and products concerned with the control of legionella bacteria in water systems


Water Control & Legionella Feature


42 | HMM April/May 2022 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


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