Legionella Risk Management
Legionella Risk Management | Commercial Plumbing | Plumbing | Lancing
From routine temperature checks to full system chlorination, HEP safeguards your premises in Lancing with meticulous legionella risk management. Our certified technicians map every pipe run, identify stagnation points and install smart monitoring solutions that keep hot- and cold-water systems within safe parameters. You receive clear digital reports, tailored action plans and the peace of mind that comes from partnering with a local specialist who understands both HSE guidelines and the daily pressures of running a business.
Because legionella control is only as strong as the pipework it relies on, we combine our expertise in commercial plumbing with forward-thinking risk-reduction strategies. Whether you operate a care home, school, hotel or light-industrial unit, HEP delivers rapid response times, transparent pricing and workmanship that minimises downtime while maximising compliance. Protect staff, visitors and your reputation—talk to HEP today and make your water systems a safer asset.
FAQs
What is Legionella and why is it a concern for commercial properties in Lancing?
Legionella is a water-borne bacterium that can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It thrives in stagnant or warm water (20–45 °C) typically found in large or complex plumbing systems such as those in offices, factories, care homes and leisure centres. Because commercial premises in Lancing often have storage tanks, long pipe runs or little-used outlets, they provide ideal conditions for bacterial growth. An outbreak can lead to serious illness, business disruption, legal liability and reputational damage, making proactive risk management essential.
What UK legal requirements apply to legionella risk management in commercial plumbing systems?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and the Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8), every duty-holder (employer, landlord or building manager) must assess and control the risk of Legionella in water systems. This includes appointing a Responsible Person, completing a written scheme of control, monitoring water temperatures, keeping records for at least five years and taking remedial action where necessary. The HSE can prosecute or issue improvement notices if these obligations are not met.
How often should a legionella risk assessment be carried out?
ACoP L8 and HSG274 recommend that a formal legionella risk assessment is reviewed at least every two years, or sooner if: • the building’s water system changes (e.g., refurbishment, extension, new plant) • monitoring results indicate problems • there is a reported case of Legionnaires’ disease • personnel or usage patterns change significantly. For high-risk environments (healthcare, care homes, spas), annual reviews are best practice. Regular sampling and temperature checks should continue between full assessments.
What does your legionella risk management service in Lancing include?
Our end-to-end service covers: 1. Site survey and risk assessment carried out by City & Guilds-qualified engineers. 2. Detailed schematic drawings of the hot and cold water system. 3. Temperature profiling and microbiological sampling (UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis). 4. Creation or update of your written scheme of control, including flushing regimes, cleaning schedules and monitoring logbooks. 5. Remedial plumbing works—dead-leg removal, tank refurbishment, TMV servicing, pipe insulation, thermostatic upgrades, secondary returns, etc. 6. Ongoing compliance support: monthly temperature checks, quarterly showerhead disinfection, annual tank cleans and certification for insurance or audit purposes.
How can I reduce the risk of legionella growth in my commercial building’s water system?
Key control measures include: • Maintain hot water at ≥60 °C in calorifiers and ≥50 °C at outlets; cold water should be ≤20 °C within two minutes of running. • Run all infrequently used taps, showers and outlets weekly to prevent stagnation. • Remove dead legs or redundant pipework and keep storage volumes as small as practical. • Clean and disinfect cold-water storage tanks annually and keep lids, insect screens and insulation in good condition. • Fit, service and calibrate thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) to deliver safe outlet temperatures without lowering primary hot-water temperatures. • Keep accurate records of all monitoring, maintenance and water-sample results.
Why should I choose your company for legionella control and commercial plumbing in Lancing?
We are a local, Gas Safe and WRAS-approved contractor with 20+ years of commercial plumbing experience across Sussex. Our engineers hold Legionella Control Association (LCA) certification, meaning our procedures are independently audited for competence and compliance. We combine specialist legionella services with full mechanical plumbing capabilities, so we can identify risks and immediately carry out corrective works—saving you time and money. We also offer 24/7 emergency response, digital compliance logbooks and fixed, transparent pricing to give you total peace of mind.