Meet the Experts Behind our Legionella Training Courses and Book Now

andwis’ national network of experienced engineers and compliance experts spans six core areas of technical and compliance services. With such a vast range of expertise, drilling down into some of those services is vital to helping our customers understand their compliance obligations and how we support them. So, we’re introducing ‘Meet an andwis Expert’, a chance to meet some of the people behind our technical and compliance services.

In this article, you’ll meet Sally William, andwis’ Training Officer at Rock Compliance.  Sally coordinates our Legionella Training Courses and in this article, she addresses some of the most commonly asked questions about Legionella. She has carefully sourced answers from the expert training team behind the Rock Compliance Legionella Control and Awareness courses. 

Let’s kick off with some background facts from Sally and the team at Rock Compliance.

Where does the term ‘Legionnaires’ disease’ come from?

Legionnaires’ disease was first identified in 1976.  It gets its name from the first known cluster of cases, which were recorded at a conference of the American Legion in Philadelphia.  Over 200 victims, many of them veterans, fell ill with a mysterious disease causing cold and flu-like symptoms. 34 people died (through reports of exact numbers vary slightly). 

Dr Joseph McDade, a microbiologist from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which was investigating the mysterious deaths, isolated the bacterium from infected lung tissues in the wake of the initial outbreak.  From this, he identified the previously unknown bacteria as the cause of the disease and named it Legionella pneumophila.  

The source of the Legionella bacteria was traced back to the air conditioning in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, where the convention took place.  It was found the bacteria had colonised the cooling towers used to remove the heat from the air conditioning system, spreading outwards from there.

Since this landmark date, scientists have worked back through history to study whether similar outbreaks and symptoms could also have been caused by Legionella pneumophila. 

What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia (lung infection). Its symptoms – a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and sometimes diarrhoea or confusion, along with general flu-like symptoms like a high temperature, muscle aches, headaches, and tiredness – are no different from other types of pneumonia, so it can only be diagnosed following a specific test.  

Symptoms may show from 2-6 days from infection, but sometimes it can take longer.  It is treated with antibiotics, and the sooner therapy is started, the lower the chance of getting serious complications.

Is Legionnaires’ disease still a serious condition?

Yes.  Like all types of pneumonia, it’s very dangerous.  The fatality rate is typically around 10% for healthy individuals, but rises to 40% or more for vulnerable groups. 

Certain groups are at higher risk of developing severe illness from Legionella infection. These include people who:

• Are over the age of 50 
• Smoke
• Have a weakened immune system, chronic lung diseases or respiratory condition 
• Are undergoing immunosuppressive treatments (for example, organ transplant recipients) 
• Suffer from underlying health issues like diabetes 
• Have recently undergone major surgery 

So, while anyone can contract a Legionella infection, these factors elevate the likelihood, emphasising the importance of awareness and preventive measures in vulnerable populations. 

How do you catch Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionella naturally occurs in freshwater sources like rivers and lakes.  However, it only becomes a health risk when it colonises and multiplies in badly maintained artificial water systems. This could be in hotels, hospitals, care homes, shopping centres, spas,  ornamental fountains, offices, cooling towers, cruise ships, holiday parks, social housing– anywhere there is a water system.  Even garden hoses, ponds and water butts can harbour dangerous bacteria.

You catch it by breathing in aerosolised water containing the Legionella bacteria. This could be the mist from showers, taps, air conditioning systems, hoses, etc.  Legionella spreads in this way because it is a fragile, water-dependent bacterium that cannot survive long in dry air

The key thing to remember is you can’t catch it by drinking infected water or by touching someone who has it; Legionella only spreads in aerosolised water droplets/vapour.

Have there been any major Legionella outbreaks in the UK?

Sadly, there have been some outbreaks in the UK which have affected a large number of people and resulted in many fatalities.  The best known is the Barrow-in-Furness outbreak in 2002, when 180 people fell ill and seven people died after visiting a local arts and leisure facility.  The outbreak was traced back to Legionella bacteria in a cooling tower, which investigation found had not been chemically treated or been subject to any microbiological monitoring or system checks.  

Cooling towers are particularly dangerous when it comes to Legionnaires’ disease, as the bacteria thrive in the tower’s warm water, which contains nutrients like scale, rust, and sludge, creating an optimal environment.  When the tower’s fan creates and disperses these water droplets, they can spread a long way on the wind (several kilometres!) and, if breathed in, can cause Legionnaires’ disease.

How do Legionella bacteria get into the water system?

Legionella bacteria need four things to thrive:

Warm temperatures:

They thrive in a temperature range between 20°C and 45°C, with optimal growth occurring around 37°C. Temperatures below 20°C cause dormancy, and temperatures above 60°C are lethal. 

Nutrients:

Legionella feed on organic matter and other substances found in water systems, including sludge, sediment, scale, rust, and biofilms. 

Stagnant water:

Slow-moving or stagnant water provides ideal conditions for growth because it allows for the settling of sediment and the formation of biofilms, which Legionella can inhabit. 

Biofilms:

These sticky layers of microorganisms and organic material that form on surfaces in contact with water serve as a habitat and food source for Legionella, helping them to multiply and spread. 

Is there any government legislation relating to Legionella?

In the UK, we are protected by comprehensive government guidelines contained in ACoP L8 and HSG 274, both of which emphasise risk assessment, scheme preparation, precaution implementation, and record-keeping.  Anyone breaking these rules may be subject to hefty fines – in 2020, a care home company was fined £150,000 for failing to provide safe care and treatment after one of its residents died from Legionnaires’ disease.

Healthcare buildings have additional guidelines within HTM 04-01, which provides guidance for those involved with the control of Legionella in hospital and healthcare environments.

How can buildings protect against Legionella?

Buildings can protect against Legionella bacteria by:

• Controlling water temperature (keeping hot water hot and cold water cold)
• Regular flushing of water systems to prevent stagnation
• ‘Designing out’ potential issues by ensuring short pipes and direct routes
• Regular cleaning and maintenance of outlets
• Periodic use of water treatment methods like biocide or copper-silver ionisation

Implementing these measures in a comprehensive Water Management Plan reduces the risk of bacterial growth and exposure.  

Whose responsibility is it to manage Legionella risk?

Anyone in control of premises with a hot or cold water system needs a Legionella Responsible Person (RP) to manage the risk from Legionella bacteria. 

The responsible person must conduct risk assessments and implement control measures to prevent the growth of the bacteria.

They need to undergo regular training to make sure they are able to discharge their responsibilities properly and are up to date with the latest protocols and regulations. This training is not only a legal requirement but also a crucial element in ensuring the safety and health of all building occupants.

andwis Group company, Rock Compliance, is proud to be an Approved Highfield Centre for the delivery of our Level 2 and Level 3 Legionella courses.  They also offer our own training relating to domestic spas/hot tubs.

To arrange Legionella Training, speak to Sally Williams, who will coordinate your training and ensure you have access to our water and air hygiene expert team.