COVID-19 vs Legionella (HSE)

COVID-19 vs Legionella

Information from HSE

Information for business owners and persons responsible for health and safety.

These are undoubtedly unprecedented times and represent a range of challenges specific to industry types and sectors although we all share a concern regarding the safeguarding of health to our employees and individual clients. We ourselves have staff that are unwell and as a result have with their families began self isolation due to the implications of being a potential carrier of the disease and travelling between sites.

Yesterday we were in receipt of the information attached above from the Legionella Control Association who work closely with the HSE and have chosen to share this with you directly for transparency on the advice we have been given as your service provider.

Businesses offering residential services

Vacant occupancies – This relates to rooms or flats that may become or are now vacant, has the occupant taken ill requiring hospital treatment or worse case scenario passed away. It is imperative that flushing work continues to ensure that conditions ideal for proliferation of Legionella are not created by water stagnation to ensure the health of the water is not compromised for when the room or flat is back in use. Further to this and by not flushing this could long term cause possible colonisation of Legionella across the entire system affecting the quality of water in those rooms that are in use.
Communal areas – as we are all encouraged to self isolate and not meet as groups of people the amenities provided for residents or guests to socialise may well be unutilised and will require regular flushing for the reasons outlined above.
Temperature control – the checking of and reaction to any poor hot water temperatures requires actions to address and rectify as normal still exists. Calorifiers must operate at a minimum of 60C throughout the day and distribute to all taps as well as return to the calorifier at a temperature of >55C.
Showers – where an area is out of use and out of consideration for the nominated flusher the heads should be removed from the hose and stored ready for use upon the resumption of normal practice. This will significantly reduce the levels of aerosols generated during the flushing process and increase the amount of water dispersed during the flushing procedure.

If there is any doubt at all within your organisations that the procedures may or have not been adhered to then please contact Keith directly on 07921212766 for specific advice as to what can be done and how we can help.

Other business types / building closures

This a broad term but relates to those for which, in the event of a lockdown or restriction of movement, would have the buildings closed or unmanned with the usual staff involved with the ongoing Legionella Control Scheme each client has in place.

If practical and possible whilst the building is closed or not in use as is normally a procedure to undertake a robust and prolonged flushing exercise could be initiated. The objective to this would be to ensure that fresh water is drawn to all outlets on a weekly basis and may involve in larger buildings or water systems extended flushing times from the two minutes recommended in HSG274 Part 2. It is our advice that upon the resumption of normal business activities that ahead of any showers being used that the water systems are tested for Legionella as a safeguard and confirmation that the flushing procedures have been effective.

Some businesses may be considering the cost implications of keeping the heating and hot water systems in operation and/or practicalities of flushing all outlets within a building to prevent water stagnation and as a subsequence plan to ‘mothball’ the site. A decision to do this with an extended lockdown period or simply being unable to have staff to attend site to complete the flushing works due to restriction on the freedom of movement may well make complete sense however the following considerations should be made:

Building closure procedures

To prevent or reduce possible damage that could be caused by a leak or flood that would go undetected it would be pragmatic to isolate the incoming cold water supply. Any risk assessment that has been undertaken by LCS will normally have identified the location of this for you.
Applicable to sites with hot water storage only; if the hot water is to be turned off, and by this its meant the source of heat that generates hot water whether it be by boilers or electric immersion heaters, where there is a secondary return pump fitted this should be left switched on. This will ensure there is movement of water through the hot water cylinder or calorifier and round the flow and return distribution pipe work reducing the risk of stagnation.
Remove any showerheads and have them stored in a place not readily accessible to people to ensure that these cannot be used ahead of the building being formally opened and water systems established as being safe. If this is not practical that extreme care and vigilance will be needed when reopening the building.

Building recommissioning

The length of time a building has been ‘mothballed’ will determine the extent to which a re-commissioning procedure will need to be undertaken. The advice below is general but will endeavour to send further updates as the ongoing situation develops but logically the longer the water systems remain dormant the greater the risk of Legionella developing and the more care is needed to protect people from exposure to aerosols.

Short term closure / Smaller buildings & Water Systems

Re-statement of the hot water supply and adjustment of thermostat settings to maximum.
Restrictions on the use of aerosol generation equipment should be imposed across the site to include:
○ Showers
○ Hand held rinsing spray as found in Kitchens used to rinse crockery prior to placing in a dishwasher
○ External taps used for garden and or irrigation sprinklers or car washing
For smaller building and systems supplied directly by the mains cold water system there should be a process of extended flushing of all outlets ensuring that aerosol generation is kept to a minimum. This will involve running taps in a controlled manner rather than fully open to limit possible aerosols created when water is administered at force into sinks and basins.
Toilets should be flushed with the lids down. Access to and around urinals should be limited also until after the extended flush has been complete.
Legionella sampling and the return of results from the lab will be required ahead of the showerheads being reinstalled or made available for general use and adjustment of thermostats to normal settings.

Long term Closures / Larger Building with more complex water systems

Re-statement of the hot water supply and adjustment of thermostat settings to maximum. On calorifiers or cylinders it may be possible to set the thermostat to temperatures in excess of 70C which could achieve pasteurisation of the storage vessel. An assessment on the risk of doing this will be needed internally as care will be required to ensure that building users are aware of the increase in temperatures as will cause scalding.
Restrictions on the use of aerosol generation equipment should be imposed across the site to include:
○ Showers
○ Hand held rinsing spray as found in Kitchens used to rinse crockery prior to placing in a dishwasher
○ External taps used for garden and or irrigation sprinklers or car washing
Any tank fed water system will require disinfection to include all associated outlets and equipment. Subject to the being in a reasonable condition internally without the presence of any visible biofilms or fouling nor significant levels of sedimentation on the base then this process can be limited to a disinfection only and not include a full drain down and tank clean.
Should the building be required for use ahead of these procedures being undertaken that the restrictions and procedures listed above should also be adhered to.
○ Restrictions on the use of aerosol generation equipment should be imposed across the site to include:
– Showers
– Hand held rinsing spray as found in Kitchens used to rinse crockery prior to placing in a dishwasher
– External taps used for garden and or irrigation sprinklers or car washing
○ For smaller building and systems supplied directly by the mains cold water system there should be a process of extended flushing of all outlets ensuring that aerosol generation is kept to a minimum. This will involve running taps in a controlled manner rather than fully open to limit possible aerosols created when water is administered at force into sinks and basins.
○ Toilets should be flushed with the lids down. Access to and around urinals should be limited also until after the extended flush has been complete.
Legionella sampling and the return of results from the lab will be required ahead of the showerheads being reinstalled or made available for general use and adjustment of thermostats to normal settings.

The advice given above to some respects is generalised to cover the range of businesses we serve however throughout the coming weeks we shall endeavour to be on hand to any specific queries or questions that may relate to individual sites or organisations. Please feel free to contact myself directly on the mobile number below in the first instance but be mindful that there are likely to be times for which enquiries are high and if unavailable at the time of the call please email to include info@lcsltduk.com