Legionella
In hydraulic installations and water circulation networks, the presence of Legionella bacteria should be monitored and constantly kept under control.
In order to protect the vulnerable population, it is in fact mandatory to monitor for Legionella in the inner water supply networks of installations and buildings which are used for purposes such as those listed below:
- Tourists’ accommodations
- Hotels
- Camps and camping sites
- Hospitality institutions, such as nursing homes and health centres
- Hospitals and patient-caring facilities
The minimum sampling frequency is set by law at two sets of tests annually. In addition, the following compliance specifications (numerical limits) apply, with regard to the level of the microorganisms present in the water:
Legionella spp. < 1000 per l
Under national law, the duties of sampling and sample analyses should be assigned to a “responsible person”, ideally a health and safety and /or maintenance professional who is in charge of the operations in a building or installation.
In hydraulic installations and water circulation networks, the presence of Legionella bacteria should be monitored and constantly kept under control.
In order to protect the vulnerable population, it is in fact mandatory to monitor for Legionella in the inner water supply networks of installations and buildings which are used for purposes such as those listed below:
- Tourists’ accommodations
- Hotels
- Camps and camping sites
- Hospitality institutions, such as nursing homes and health centres
- Hospitals and patient-caring facilities
The minimum sampling frequency is set by law at two sets of tests annually. In addition, the following compliance specifications (numerical limits) apply, with regard to the level of the microorganisms present in the water:
Legionella spp. < 1000 per l
Under national law, the duties of sampling and sample analyses should be assigned to a “responsible person”, ideally a health and safety and /or maintenance professional who is in charge of the operations in a building or installation.
In compliance with national legislation, SCIELAB undertakes the following tasks:
- Assisting the safety and maintenance management teams in selecting the most appropriate sampling sites and points for Legionella monitoring,
- Sampling on the basis of defined protocols. These may vary considerably depending on the level of risk and the degree of surveillance required, i.e. whether it is regular monitoring or an investigation of non-compliance or even after an outbreak.
- Carrying out accredited analyses with the official reference method (ISO 11731:2017) and the most appropriate procedures and tests.
- Consulting on preventative and corrective measures, as appropriate.
- Drafting and/or updating Legionella risk analysis plans for inner water networks.
Legionella, what does it cause, how can it be transmitted, where can it be detected?
Are you exposed to Legionella at home or at your work place?
In compliance with national legislation, SCIELAB undertakes the following tasks:
- Assisting the safety and maintenance management teams in selecting the most appropriate sampling sites and points for Legionella monitoring,
- Sampling on the basis of defined protocols. These may vary considerably depending on the level of risk and the degree of surveillance required, i.e. whether it is regular monitoring or an investigation of non-compliance or even after an outbreak.
- Carrying out accredited analyseswith the official reference method (ISO 11731:2017) and the most appropriate procedures and tests.
- Consulting on preventative and corrective measures, as appropriate.
- Drafting and/or updating Legionella risk analysis plans for inner water networks.
Legionella, what does it cause, how can it be transmitted, where can it be detected?
Are you exposed to Legionella at home or at your work place?
Legionella risk analysis plans
Legionella risk analysis plans should be available for the inner water supply networks in any professional installation and building. The plans should:
- Designate who is in charge, i.e. the “responsible person”, of the hot and cold-water inner circulation networks,
- Recognise and evaluate the source and the nature of risks with regard to the layout, construction and operational characteristics of the networks,
- Establish a risk management system, with preventative and corrective measures,
- Safeguard monitoring of the effectiveness of the preventive risk control measures and of the corrective measures when applied,
- Contain records of maintenance, disinfection, monitoring and analysis of samples from appropriate network locations,
- Include proof for staff training in network maintenance, disinfection, rinsing and monitoring procedures;
Legionella risk analysis plans
Legionella risk analysis plans should be available for the inner water supply networks in any professional installation and building. The plans should:
- Designate who is in charge, i.e. the “responsible person”, of the hot and cold-water inner circulation networks,
- Recognise and evaluate the source and the nature of risks with regard to the layout, construction and operational characteristics of the networks,
- Establish a risk management system, with preventative and corrective measures,
- Safeguard monitoring of the effectiveness of the preventive risk control measures and of the corrective measures when applied,
- Contain records of maintenance, disinfection, monitoring and analysis of samples from appropriate network locations,
- Include proof for staff training in network maintenance, disinfection, rinsing and monitoring procedures;
Legionella & Legionnaires' Disease
Bacteria of the genus Legionella and especially Legionella pneumophila are responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease, a serious and often fatal form of pneumonia and, also, for a mild flu-like illness, called Pontiac Fever.
Did you know that:
- Legionnaires' Disease is a notifiable disease and more than 11,000 cases are reported annually to the European Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet).
- Many cases are associated with travel or have recent history of residing in hotels, large buildings, institutions or hospitals.
- Symptoms manifest themselves within 2 to 10 days after infection, although epidemics with longer incubation periods, of up to 16 days, have been recorded.
Legionella & Legionnaires' Disease
Bacteria of the genus Legionella and especially Legionella pneumophila are responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease, a serious and often fatal form of pneumonia and, also, for a mild flu-like illness, called Pontiac Fever.
Did you know that:
- Legionnaires' Disease is a notifiable disease and more than 11,000 cases are reported annually to the European Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet).
- Many cases are associated with travel or have recent history of residing in hotels, large buildings, institutions or hospitals.
- Symptoms manifest themselves within 2 to 10 days after infection, although epidemics with longer incubation periods, of up to 16 days, have been recorded.
Natural habitats for Legionella are natural and man-made aquatic systems where they can survive and grow as parasites within free-living protozoa and / or biofilms, at temperatures ranging from 20 to 50°c.
Most people get infected by inhaling contaminated aerosols. Sources of aerosols that have been linked with the transmission of Legionella include air conditioning cooling towers, hot and cold-water tubs and showers, humidifiers, fountains and whirlpool spas.
People can also get infected by aspiring contaminated with Legionella drinking water when using coolers, coffee and beverage vending machines, as well as medical or dental equipment, such as salivation pumps, air syringes, etc.
Natural habitats for Legionella are natural and man-made aquatic systems where they can survive and grow as parasites within free-living protozoa and / or biofilms, at temperatures ranging from 20 to 500C.
Most people get infected by inhaling contaminated aerosols. Sources of aerosols that have been linked with the transmission of Legionella include air conditioning cooling towers, hot and cold-water tubs and showers, humidifiers, fountains and whirlpool spas.
People can also get infected by aspiring contaminated with Legionella drinking water when using coolers, coffee and beverage vending machines, as well as medical or dental equipment, such as salivation pumps, air syringes, etc.
