Proposed Legionella Risk Assessment
On behalf of the Association, Legionella Risk and PAT have been appointed to conduct a legionella risk assessment to a small proportion of our stock.
We have issued a letter of Authority to Legionella Risk and PAT to produce to our tenants when cold-calling our properties and conducting their door-to-door visits.
The attending surveyor will require access to all water sentinel outlets i.e., taps, showers, and operational/redundant hot and cold-water storage tanks.
The findings of the risk assessment will identify any risk of Legionella.
Our policy on Legionella Management can be found here.
Please see the control leaflet below providing more information in relation to Legionella and how to prevent legionnaires disease.
Legionella Control – Tenants Advice
What is Legionella?
- The bacteria, Legionella pneumophila, is common in natural water sources such as rivers. It may also be found in purpose-built water systems such as hot and cold-water systems.
- If conditions are favourable, the bacteria may grow, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease. It is therefore important to control the risks – The Control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8).
In October 2013, the HSE amended the Approved Code of Practice L8 – Legionella control.
How does this affect me?
- Your landlord (Shire Housing Association) will carry out a survey to a sample of flatted dwellings to comply with the guidance, and demonstrate compliance under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
What do I have to do?
- As the person living in the property, you have a duty to inform your landlord if the hot water is not reaching 50 degrees or above.
- If you leave the property vacant for 2 weeks, you must run the cold water taps for 5 minutes and the hot water taps for 2 minutes to flush all stagnant water out of the pipework.
- You have a duty to inform your landlord if the property is going to be vacant for 4 weeks or more.
- You should clean and descale your showerheads and taps every 3 months.
If you have any queries or concerns, please contact Ross McCrindle, Asset Officer at Shire Housing Association on 01290 421130.
Thank you for your cooperation.