Legionella Testing Methods & ACOP L8
The UK’s Health & Safety Executives (HSE) Approved Code of Practice ACOP L8 “Legionnaires’ disease: Control of legionella bacteria in water systems” recommends that routine legionella testing for the bacteria in wet cooling systems and cooling towers be carried out at least quarterly, and more frequently when a cooling tower or water system is being commissioned, or if the Legionella bacteria has been identified on a previous occasion.
Is Legionella Testing Required for Hot Water Systems?
For hot water systems legionella testing is only recommended in particular circumstances, which are as follows:
- where water temperatures in the system are reduced as a consequence of using alternative biocide treatments. Legionella sampling should be done initially on a monthly basis, with the interval increased depending on the level of confidence the operator has in the effectiveness of the control measures;
- in hot water systems where the control parameters (whether temperature or biocides) are not being achieved (frequency as required);
- when an outbreak of Legionellosis is suspected or has been identified (frequency as required);
- possibly in hospital wards for immunologically suppressed patients.
Expert Legionella Control Assistance
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