Legionella risk management applies to employers and those who control commercial premises. The level of assessment required depends on the type of building and the complexity of the water system. A small office with a straightforward hot and cold water system may require a relatively simple assessment.

A hotel, leisure facility, care home or larger managed building may have:

• Stored water
• Multiple plant areas
• Larger numbers of outlets
• Longer pipework runs
• More complex hot-water systems
• Areas that are used infrequently
• Vulnerable building users

These types of premises may require more detailed Legionella management and ongoing control measures.

Legionella Risk Assessments for Hotels and Guest Accommodation

Hotels and guest accommodation can have larger and more complex water systems than standard commercial premises.

There may be:

These factors can increase the importance of appropriate monitoring and water-management procedures.

Our assessment reviews the system and identifies the measures needed to help manage the risk.

Care homes require particular attention because the building may have a complex water system and may also be occupied by people who could be more vulnerable.

The assessment can consider:

Where necessary, recommendations are made for improving the existing control measures.

Schools and nurseries may contain water outlets that are used at different frequencies throughout the year.

Periods of lower occupancy can also mean some outlets remain unused for longer periods.

An assessment can identify:

The report explains any recommended actions in clear language.

Gyms and leisure settings may contain multiple showers, changing facilities, hot and cold water systems and other outlets that can produce fine water droplets.

These systems may require greater attention because of:

Our assessment reviews the relevant parts of the system and identifies appropriate control measures.

The exact scope depends on the building and its water system.

A typical assessment may ide incluhe following.

For larger or more complex water systems, Legionella management may involve ongoing controls following the initial risk assessment.

Depending on the premises, this may include:

The level of ongoing management should reflect the complexity of the building and its water system.

Temperature management is an important part of controlling Legionella in hot and cold water systems.

HSE guidance states that cold water should be maintained below 20°C where possible.

Hot water stored in cylinders should generally be kept at 60°C or above and should normally reach at least 50°C at outlets within one minute.

Different requirements can apply in healthcare settings.

The assessment considers whether temperature management is appropriate for the specific premises and water system.

ACoP L8 is the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice and guidance relating to the control of Legionella bacteria in water systems.

It provides guidance for:

• Employers
• Landlords
• Property managers
• Other duty holders

Technical guidance is also provided through HSG274, which covers different types of water systems.

Our assessments take relevant HSE guidance, including ACoP L8 and HSG274, into account.

There is no general rule stating that every Legionella risk assessment automatically expires after a fixed number of years.

Instead, the assessment and control measures should remain under review.

A new review may be appropriate where:

• The water system changes
• Pipework is altered
• New equipment is installed
• A boiler or cylinder is replaced
• The use of the building changes
• Occupancy changes significantly
• Existing control measures are no longer effective
• Monitoring results identify a concern
• There is a suspected or confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease

Regular review helps ensure that changes to the building or water system do not introduce unmanaged risks.

The right control measures depend on the building and the complexity of its water system.

Common measures can include:

• Maintaining appropriate hot and cold water temperatures
• Avoiding unnecessary stored water
• Flushing little-used outlets
• Removing redundant or unused pipework
• Cleaning and descaling showerheads
• Maintaining boilers and water systems
• Preventing water stagnation
• Regular temperature monitoring
• Keeping maintenance records
• Keeping monitoring records
• Reviewing control procedures

Your assessment report will identify the measures relevant to your premises.