Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Facilitate Magazine Issues
  • July 2020
Know How
Point-by-Point Plans
Building Services
Water, Drainage & Plumbing

Preventing Legionnaires’ disease

Open-access content Monday 29th June 2020
Authors
Spencer Culley
web_p46_water-management_Legionella-pneumophila-bacterium_iStock-1164928423.png

FMs must ensure that workplaces are safe for a return to work – and that includes rigorous water management, says Spencer Culley.

Harmful legionella bacteria can multiply quickly in water systems if they are left unused and unmanaged for even a short period. People who inhale tiny droplets of water containing the bacteria risk developing Legionnaires’ disease, a severe respiratory infection that causes death in 10-15 per cent of cases.

In June 2018, private healthcare provider Bupa was fined £3 million (reduced to £1.5 million) for admitting a breach of health and safety regulations following the death of a resident in one of its Essex care homes after it failed to flush and disinfect pipework.

While everyone’s away

Decommissioning a building or taking water systems out of use for as little as two weeks requires action to avoid the build-up of microbiological contaminants and biofilm.

Facilities teams should implement a comprehensive flushing regime to mimic normal operational use. Outlets should be flushed until the temperature stabilises and levels with the incoming water supply. Legionella thrives between 20°C and 46°C, so hot water services and cold water systems need to be recirculated at temperatures below 20°C.

For partially used buildings, FM teams should flush systems to mimic normal operational use and reduce water stored in tanks so that it can be turned over within 24 hours. Monitoring the temperature will also help to control thermal gain in cold water, while point-of-use filters at designated areas will keep occupants safe.

Building water systems out of action for extended periods require a substantial plan to avert the contamination and colonisation of bacteria. In most cases, except for small offices, systems should be kept filled, as draining them is difficult and likely to dry cistern joints, corrode the metal pipework and create a build-up of biofilm.

Preparing for a return

The next challenge comes as organisations prepare to welcome back their employees and other building users.  For this, the Health & Safety Executive states that water systems must be safely and adequately recommissioned.  

  1. Carry out a full water system disinfection

    This is the most effective option, but it can be complicated depending on the system configuration. Technicians should inject the disinfection solution into a specific point at the upstream end of the supply pipe – or downstream if there is double-check valve or backflow protection device protecting the incoming water supply.

    Testing of sentinel outlets will determine whether the required concentration levels have been achieved, and all other outlets should be subject to fast and simple tests that indicate the presence or absence of the disinfectant.
     
  2. Leave time between the disinfection work and reopening the building

    Two to seven days after the work is complete, FMs should take legionella samples from sentinel taps and other outlets. Any readings in the 48 hours following the treatment may give false-negative results.
     
  3. Factor in the unusually warm spring weather during lockdown

    High temperatures combined with extended office closures could lead to systems being colonised by bacteria, so repeat disinfections may be required to guarantee the total removal of legionella.

    Remember – organisations are responsible for everyone’s safety during this period and in the future, including returning employees, the staff carrying out the recommissioning, and the essential workers preparing buildings for reopening.

    Those involved in flushing and disinfection work should wear PPE to reduce exposure to dangerous air particles. Signage should be fitted near all areas and outlets affected by the disinfection to warn cleaners, security and maintenance staff.

    The combination of a Legionnaires’ outbreak and coronavirus in the workplace would be catastrophic. 

Spencer Culley is managing director at Churchill Environmental 

Image credit | iStock
July 2020
This article appeared in our July 2020 issue of Facilitate Magazine.
Click here to view this issue
Also filed in
Know How
Point-by-Point Plans
Building Services
Water, Drainage & Plumbing

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Regional Facilities Manager

Borehamwood
Circa £47,000 + Decent Package & opportunities
Reference
59410

Facilities Manager

Hertfordshire
Up to £75,000 + Decent Package
Reference
59408

Facilities Manager

Guildford
Up to £45,000 + Package & Opportunities
Reference
59407
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2023 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ