Don’t let your legionella prevention stagnate
While static caravans may be a great idea, static water is definitely not. David Randlesome of Swiftclean, the duct cleaning and legionella risk experts, explains how essential it is to achieve and maintain compliance with the Approved Code of Conduct for legionella control also known as ACoP L8. Every caravan park, whether aimed at permanent residents or holiday makers, must be aware of the inherent dangers of Legionella bacteria, which initially causes a flu-like illness but can develop into a form of Pneumonia. This illness is known as Legionnaire’s Disease. For the fit, healthy adult, Legionnaire’s Disease is severely debilitating. For the elderly, the very young and anyone with an underlying health condition, it can prove fatal – and sometimes does. Every site must, of course, have a clean and healthy water supply to every van or central facility, but, while some other water associated problems can be easily seen and identified, Legionella cannot. Each site owner or manager has a legal duty to protect residents, staff and visitors from Legionella. UK legislation concerning Legionella prevention is contained in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1989; Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR). As a site owner or manager, you must appoint what is known as a Responsible Person. This named individual is responsible in law for ensuring that your organisation does everything possible to comply with the Approved Code of Practice for Legionnaires’ disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (L8). This is issued by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and is legally enforceable. You are required to have a current Legionella risk assessment document, which must be accurate and up to date. This means that if you have had any alterations to the people involved in the site management or water systems since the last assessment, perhaps with the addition or removal of a van – or even a single tap – you must have a new risk assessment. If you do not know how to conduct a risk assessment, or are not sure if you have one, you should call a specialist to help you. If you are a newly appointed Responsible Person and your predecessor conducted the last risk assessment, you must carry out a new risk assessment to acknowledge the changes in responsibility and reporting. If there is a Legionella outbreak on a site for which you are responsible, you can be prosecuted. If convicted, your organisation may face limitless fines imposed by the court. Any individuals held responsible may face a custodial sentence, especially if there has been a fatality. Therefore, it is essential to be proactive with your Legionella prevention. Caravan sites, by their very nature, present some particular challenges for Legionella prevention. One of the most important things to consider in Legionella prevention is long pipe runs for cold water and, of course, every caravan site will have these in abundance, in order to provide running water to each van. Localised hot water does not present so much of a problem for caravans, provided it is kept at a minimum temperature of 60°C. Legionella does not favour hot or cold water, it breeds in warm or tepid water. The long runs of cold water pipe which connect each van should be a major concern. There are two main scenarios which increase the risk; firstly, if a van is left unoccupied for any length of time so that water sits in the pipework without moving; and secondly, if cold water pipes absorb heat from the ground due to solar gain – usually in spring and summer. If water outlets are not in regular use, the water behind them will remain static. The general rule of thumb is that if toilets, taps or showers are not used for a week, they should be flushed through by flushing the toilet or running the tap or shower for long enough to flush the pipework through. This might seem like a waste of water, especially throughout the low season in a holiday caravan park, but it is essential to prevent Legionella outbreaks. In the mid or high season, this is even more important as the static water in an unoccupied van may well become warmer, providing the perfect breeding ground for Legionella. As well as vans themselves, all water outlets in communal toilet or shower blocks must also be flushed through, so if you have additional features such as camping facilities or a central clubhouse or café, the same principles must be applied to these. Solar gain is a real hazard as it helps to create the ideal conditions for Legionella to breed. Your water pipes should run deep enough below the ground to be insulated from the effects of solar gain. If you have central facilities which rely on water tanks, these must also be carefully maintained and kept free of dirt, debris or vermin, as well as well shaded to be protected from solar gain. It is a good idea, during the low season, to have water tanks drained and cleaned professionally. Ironically, your cleaning teams could be most at risk from Legionella, especially if the flushing routines have been neglected. Legionella can be air-borne in minute droplets and breathed in by the unsuspecting cleaner. When you flush your systems, therefore, you should take care, as far as possible, not to create unnecessary water spray. Flush toilets with the lid down, close shower doors and avoid undue splashing from taps. Once you are ACoP L8 compliant, it is essential to stay that way. Ongoing testing and monitoring for Legionella is relatively simple and your service provider should be able to provide the training that you need. As with so many aspects of good health, prevention is so much better than cure. www.swiftclean.co.uk
How to prevent Legionella in caravan parks across the UK
Legionella can be the bane of any business; especially caravan parks. Often festering in air conditioning and central heating systems, Legionella is the primary bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease; a type of pneumonia. A source of relief is that Legionella isn’t incredibly common, though it never hurts to be prepared. For those conscious of the risk, most of your problems will come from a few specific spots within a caravan or a caravan park that should always be addressed and considered. As experts specialising in energy meters at caravan parks, Energy Controls has seen its fair share of potential spots for Legionella so staff there know just how to prevent Legionella. • Checking the boiler: The boiler should be one of the first spots you check for preventative measures. If guests haven’t used it for some time then drain and flush the system before use, whereas if you don’t anticipate use for a while then simply drain and flush the system until it’s needed. For those using a boiler frequently or at the time of a check, a vital step is to follow the pipes. Ensure that the temperature of the water going from the boiler, all the way to the taps, is generally 60°C. If it’s much lower than this, or comes out cold, you’ll need to deal with the boiler itself by contacting the supplier. • Descale & disinfect showerheads. The aerosol from showers could spread Legionella so the hose, insert and showerhead should be thoroughly cleaned, descaled and disinfected. Legionella can build up within just over a week or so, so if a shower hasn’t been used for this amount of time you should at least wash it out; first by letting it run hot water for a minute, then letting it run cold water for another minute. Removing limescale build-up from water cylinders and calorifiers Limescale can build up in any type of water cylinder or calorifier. The degree and speed of a build-up can vary greatly from place to place, what with different regions possessing different types and qualities of water, but either way this build-up can result in an inefficient water flow and weakened temperature capabilities. These both create a potential setting for Legionella to thrive, and so removing the limescale via chemical cleaning is essential; especially if the water cylinder or califorifier hasn’t been maintained for a while. There is also the bonus of an improved energy efficiency, reducing costs overall. Keeping pools and hot tubs clean: Those enjoying a luxurious stay at caravan parks with the likes of pools and hot tubs may also be concerned about the possibility of Legionella.Hot tubs are often between 30°C and 35°C; serving as the perfect environment for Legionella.The aerosol from the jets in these hot tubs are the areas of concern yet, much like the method of preventing Legionella in showers, the preventative measures in hot tubs include a sensible approach to cleaning and regular maintenance. Regular efforts to drain, disinfect and clean the hot tub should be taken, especially in public areas. A similar approach to cleaning and disinfecting pools is also an essential for preventing Legionella. However, thanks to the lower temperature and the fact that all pools should regularly feature chlorine, it’s unlikely that Legionella will be able to develop within this environment. So long as you keep these essential areas in mind you should have no problem keeping on top of Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease, allowing guests to enjoy their holidays.
Energy Efficient, Spa Water Heating At -20 Degrees Celsius
National water leisure manufacturer and supplier Park Leisure Solutions Limited, announce yet another first for the industry with the launch of their revolutionary, energy efficient, Climacube Polar’ Spa, Swimspa and Hot Tub Water Heating System. As the name implies the new Climacube Polar has all the energy saving credentials of the award winning Climacube Water Heating System but is designed to operate even when the ambient air temperature reaches -20 degrees Celsius. Park Leisure Solutions Limited, Managing Director, Stuart Mulchay said, “The new Climacube Polar has been designed and developed as a direct response to enquiries from our Scandinavian customers. Even when temperatures fall below –5, -10 degrees or even less there is still plenty of appetite for customers to use their Spas, Swimspas and Hot Tubs for rest and relaxation. The introduction of the Climacube Polar will now further their enjoyment, with users, safe in the knowledge that our unique thermodynamic technology will heat water quicker, and use over 80% less energy to maintain water heat in their Spas, Swimspas and Hot Tubs than any conventional system, even when the outside temperature reaches -20 degrees below zero. Saving time, energy and reducing their carbon footprint” Backed by a worldwide patent the Climacube Polar Water Heat System can either be supplied from new or retro fitted to any contemporary Hot Tub, Spa or Swimspa with no additional power supply required. In test results against current conventional heating systems Climacube saved on average just under 60% less time to heat up a Hot Tub and a massive 85.7% reduction in energy cost, which is great news for both customers and the environment
Still waters run risks – preventing legionella in caravan parks
In a caravan park, the only thing that you really want to be static is the caravans. You certainly don’t want any areas of your domestic water systems to be static, as Gary Nicholls, MD of legionella risk experts Swiftclean, explains. Legionella bacteria, a naturally occurring bacteria found in water courses, thrives in static water, especially in warmer weather, and it can multiply in pipework and water tanks, especially those which are not sufficiently shaded from sunlight and protected from solar heat gain. Keeping your water supply clean and free-flowing is essential to prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria and colonisation of the water system. Exposure to this contaminated water (through inhalation of contaminated water droplets) could have the potential to cause Legionnaire’s Disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia, with initial ‘flu-like’ symptoms occurring which would become progressively worse in individuals that have a higher susceptibility because of age, illness, immunosuppression, smoking etc. The legal responsibilities of a property manager or owner in respect to legionella risk management and control are spelt out in L8, the Approved Code of Practice and guidance on Legionnaire’s disease (fourth edition), issued by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The main focus of the current version of the L8 code is on; risk assessment requirements; responsibilities of the Responsible Person; the control scheme; the review of control measures; and duties and responsibilities of those involved in the supply of water systems. Each organisation should appoint a competent person under the law, known as the Responsible Person, who must understand and carry out your legal obligations in preventing legionella. This Responsible Person has a number of specific responsibilities which help to fulfil the obligations to provide a safe environment under general health & safety law. This applies to employers, landlords and certainly to those overseeing a caravan park of any description. These responsibilities are designed to ensure that suitable precautions are taken to prevent or control the risk of Legionella proliferation and exposure. As part of those responsibilities, you are required to identify and assess any sources of risk; to manage those risks, (which might include cleaning and remedial work); to prevent or control any risks (which might include making sure that tanks are shaded from direct sunlight); and you must keep accurate and detailed records of all the actions that you take to prevent and control the risk of legionella. Accurate record keeping is essential, as it protects the property manager as much as the users of the water system. For this reason, the role of the Responsible Person should also be clearly outlined. The first step towards compliance is an up to date risk assessment, in which you should identify any areas where water can remain static. Installers can be critical in identifying ‘dead legs’ in water systems, which may occur when pipework has been altered to remove a water outlet such as a shower, a sink or even a stand pipe. Water can ‘sit’ in dead ends of pipework, stagnating and providing the ideal conditions for legionella bacteria proliferation; so these dead ends should be removed to enable water to travel through every part of the water system, with no static areas. Dead ends typically occur in properties whose pipework has been changed over the years; so if your site has been reconfigured or vans have been moved, it is essential to ensure that the revised pipework has no dead legs and that water can circulate freely through every part. If you make even minor amends to the pipework, you will need a new risk assessment. Some caravan parks have a built-in legionella risk factor – seasonal occupancy. If you have caravans or park homes which are unoccupied for weeks at a time, the water in their pipework will inevitably be static for long periods, risking the development of legionella bacteria. This will also be the case in year-round occupied homes if a tenant or owner leaves and there is a period of several weeks or more before a new occupant moves in. When letting or selling property to new tenants, it is now vital for the landlord or freeholder to ensure that the water supply is clean and healthy. If a property or water system has been unused for some weeks, the water should be tested for the presence of legionella bacteria and the system thoroughly and safely flushed before use. This means running taps, showers etc. and flushing toilets to ensure a good turnover of water. If you have a camping section adjacent to a caravan park, with communal toilet and shower facilities, don’t forget that these will also need regular flushing and must be covered by the risk assessment. Most importantly, this flushing should be conducted without the generation of spray and preferably should be done before any cleaning teams enter the building. Ironically, they are often the most vulnerable to infection after a period in which water has been static for some time. Legionella control is designed to protect residents, staff and visitors alike. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations there are severe penalties for failing to comply with L8. The Responsible Person can be prosecuted if found to be negligent, and in the case of a death from legionella, this can result in a custodial sentence. The organisation itself can also be prosecuted, and unlimited fines can be imposed, as we have seen in cases of legionella outbreaks in UK hospitals over the years. If you have cold water tanks, these should also form a key part of your risk assessment. In the design and installation of water systems, consideration should be given to shading water tanks and protecting them from the effects of solar gain, and it should be possible to drain them completely if needed. We recommend checking water tanks periodically, at least annually, to make sure that they are free of insects and vermin such as pigeons, squirrels and rats. The structural condition of
Legionella Risk Assessments For Holiday Parks
Holiday and Caravan Parks are great locations for families to spend time together and share memories however they are also great locations for Legionella Bacteria to colonise and form substantial risk to Guests and employees. If the conditions are right, legionella bacteria will thrive, so actions must be taken to control the risks and keep people safe. Enviroliance looks at why you need legionella risk assessments in your holiday park. Here are some key FACTS about Legionella Bacteria and Legionnaires Disease: Legionella Bacteria thrives at temperatures between 20˚C and 45˚C Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of Pneumonia cause by Legionella Bacteria Those who are elderly, infirm or have a weaker immune system are at higher risk The ACoP L8 is the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) approved code of practice on the Control of Legionella Bacteria within water systems. It details legal duties that Responsible Persons have within each Holiday and Caravan Park to minimise legionella risk to the public. Holiday and Caravan Parks can be a sector with increased risk due to seasonality of use where guests may be more likely to visit during the summer moths. In quieter periods there is more chance of water stagnation due to less demand for water, which is provides favourable growing conditions for legionella bacteria, especially when temperatures begin to rise. In Holiday Parks, like anywhere else, Legionella bacteria can thrive in Hot and Cold-water systems and can be found lurking in swimming pools, showers and hose pipes…basically anywhere that contains water! The greatest danger comes from outlets that produce aerosols including hose pipes and showers where the droplets can be inhaled into the lungs potentially causing infection. What does this mean for Park Owners and Duty Holders? It is a legal requirement for Park owners and Duty Holders to have a Legionella Risk Assessment carried out at every site to understand the water systems in place, their general usage and whether any risks exist which could provide favourable conditions for Legionella Bacteria to colonise A Risk Assessment will identify potential sources of risk and provide suggested remedial actions in order to minimise the risk. It will also allow a system of control measures to be put in place, including: Temperature monitoring Flushing regimes to minimise water stagnations Cleaning and disinfection of showerheads hoses Cleaning and disinfection of domestic hot and cold water storage vessels and associated services Servicing of Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMV’s) – these need to be in working order to prevent scalding as well as creating an ideal environment for the bacteria It can be daunting when faced with Legionella Control regulatory requirements especially with many other duties placed on Park owners and operators. However, setting out a robust control programme with routine monitoring throughout the year not only reduces the risk to guests and staff but will also reduce pressure on Park owners, allowing them to manage their water systems and associated risks in confidence. Enviroliance is best placed to offer companies across all industries, independent advice, guidance and bespoke solutions on every aspect of water.
Hot tubs are great for business!
Having a hot tub as part of a holiday accommodation package is becoming more of a requirement, than an optional extra, as holidaymakers have become more aware of the joy of being in warm water, with the proven lifestyle and health benefits of exercise and hydrotherapy. The interest in hot tubs has proliferated, and they have become a very popular internet search term, so investing in them should assist you to increase your bookings and therefore your revenue! It is essential to plan the layout of the hot tubs and to get any relevant permissions from the applicable planning authority/ environment agency. Having the right equipment and the correct water hygiene management and maintenance regimes in place is also vital. Inferior quality products can wreak havoc with your business and will not only inconvenience your customers but could potentially be a court case waiting to happen! Equally important is to know your responsibilities for looking after the equipment and having copies of essential industry publications. Rather than having to look for the information from a variety of sources, the best place to access this type of information is through BISHTA. BISHTA provides their members with a dedicated online members’ resource, with access to documents such as the BISHTA Standards, Marketing Toolkits, Members Factsheets and Workforce Development opportunities. Through technological developments, many hot tubs now come with an immense amount of features, such as; hydromassage jets, therapeutic lounge seats for full body massage, directional jets, ambient mood lighting, glass touchscreen controls systems, waterfalls and some even come with wifi. Some hot tubs have a mobile phone app to control the hot tub from anywhere and make sure it is ready at the optimum temperature when your guests arrive. With so much choice available, it can get a little confusing when you are looking to purchase your first business hot tub, especially with the boundaries of HSG282 to take into account. Good news! BISHTA offers an invaluable source of information to find the right dealer or a particular brand. Purchasing from a BISHTA member is your assurance of buying with confidence. You will be able to buy from a hot tub dealer who is; knowledgeable of British and European standards. Trained in all aspects of hot tub safety and water hygiene and who are signed up to a published code of ethics, and sells safe and reputable products from respected sources (which comply with industry standards) and who back their products with comprehensive warranties, maintenance plans and high levels of customer service. To take a step closer to adding a great new feature to your business, visit www.bishta.co.uk BISHTA – British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association E: admin@bishta.co.uk T: +44 01264 356211 www.bishta.co.uk
Minimising the risk of legionella in Caravan & Holiday Parks
As people are becoming far more aware of, legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. It’s actually far more common than was firstly believed, with more and more cases being diagnosed. Caravan and holiday parks can present a particularly high level of risk due to the seasonal nature of their business, the wide range of occupants and the requirement to store and aerate large amounts of water, predominantly via showers, taps, spa pools/Jacuzzis and hoses. However, there also risks associated with swimming pools, water features, irrigation systems. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling fine, airborne water droplets and anyone can be susceptible to the disease. However, the risk of infection is greatly increased for the following: Those aged 45 and over, particularly males Smokers and heavy drinkers Those with a compromised immune system Those with any respiratory, kidney, lung or heart disease The ideal circumstances for legionella bacteria to multiply are for water to sit still at temperatures between 20-45°C. Even allowing for the varying nature of the british weather, greater monitoring of this is needed during the summer months, where Caravan and Holiday Parks are at their highest occupancy. As an owner or operator of a caravan and holiday park it is your responsibility to do all you can to keep people safe from legionnaires disease. You are, more often than not, the statutory duty holder and failing to keep people safe from illness or worse can result in, as a minimum, severe financial penalties or, at worst, prosecution under corporate manslaughter. Guidance on this can be found in the HSE’s ACOP L8 document (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm). The three part HSG274 document from the same site will also provide guidance for dutyholders and employers in complying with their health and safety responsibilities. Reading the above can make the dutyholder’s role sound incredibly intimidating. However, as with most compliance matters, there are a number of key, simple tasks, to be performed by a competent person, which can assist in reducing the risks associated with legionella: 1.Have an up to date legionella risk assessment for the site – this assessment will provide an asset register, summarise the overall risk, detail task that can enhance the legionella control and a schematic of the water system on the site. 2.Temperature monitoring– water cyclinders/ calorifiers should have the water stored at 60°C and the hot water should be >50°C at all outlets with cold water <20°C. 3.Monitor, clean and disinfect the cold water storage tanks regularly – these are often large, sometimes positioned outside that need to be inspected regularly, checking the condition of the tank itself (lid, rodent/insect screen, vent pipes & overflows) and the water inside the tank (stagnation, biofilm built up, rust or debris). It is also worth reviewing the size and location of the tank to ensure water is being kept moving as much as possible. 4.Clean and descale all showerheads – this should be done quarterly and should involve the hose, showerhead and any inserts being dismantled, fully clean and descaled. 5.Flushing of little used outlets – any taps or water outlets that are not used on a frequent basis should be flushed through weekly to reduce the stagnation risk. Any new water systems must be flushed and to comply with British Standards and current water regulations. A typical guide is that any little used outlet should be flushed weekly for a minimum of three minutes. 6.Remove any pipework blind ends and dead legs – these are runs of often capped pipework where water is not flowing through and can stagnate. Remove these wherever possible, being particularly aware when refurbishment works are being undertaken. 7.Descale all calorifiers and water cyclinders – this is to ensure the reduction of limescale, debris and biofilm building up within the cylinders. 8.Regular water sampling – this will involve microbiological analysis to ensure that drinking water is safe and that the levels of legionella are within permitted parameters. This will also be particularly applicable to jacuzzies, spa pools, hot tubs and swimming pools on site. 9.Back flow protection – make sure that outlets don’t have the capacity for back flow of water into the system. This is especially associated with long shower hoses (enabling showers to sit in water) and with outside/ bib taps where park visitors can attach their own hoses. Even if all of the above is being done but you are still experiencing issues with legionella, additional measures such as the installation of water softeners or chemical dosing units can be investigated. If you are not doing (or outsourcing) the above the routine maintenance tasks you simply will not know, until it is too late, whether there is an issue with the site water system. A competent person can be in-house or an external provider. If you are going to use a service provider, ensure they are accredited by the Legionella Control Association (www.legionellacontrol.org.uk). The LCA will audit their members and accreditation is evidence of competence. Seek references where possible, ideally the provider will have an understanding of the unique needs and demands of caravan and holiday parks. If you are going to do it yourselves, ensure that those performing the tasks are suitably trained and can prove their competence if needed. There are several City & Guilds accredited training courses and centres that can provide specific legionella training. A word of caution however, if you have a high turnover of staff or the same person is not doing all the routine tasks (for example, cleaning staff my be tasked with the shower cleaning) the constant need for re-training to prove competence can outweigh the costs of using an external provider. It is the dutyholder’s responsibility to ensure staff are suitably trained and are performing the tasks correctly. hsl compliance are accredited by the legionella control association and currently provide legionella compliance services to over 300 caravan and holiday parks across the length and breadth of the UK. They have over 180 field based engineers and have been assisting clients with their legionella control since 1976. They can also provide city &
Experts in Legionella Control, Water Hygiene and Water Treatment Services
With nearly 35 years` experience, we take great pride in our ability to provide expert advice and experience on a range of specialist water hygiene related services, Legionella assessments and treatment issues. Our customers can benefit from the peace of mind that they are 100% compliant and that all of their staff, customers and visitors can feel safe from harmful bacteria in water systems. With more cases of Legionella being reported each year, it has never been more important to be on top of your water systems and leisure facilities. IWS can provide you with the expertise and experience to ensure that you are. Our Services Include: • Legionella Risk Assessments to UKAS ISO 17020, BS8580, ACOP L8 and HSG274 • Water Hygiene Monitoring Programmes and Remedial Work to BS8558, ACOP L8 and HSG274 • Water System Treatment and Chemical Supply • Cold Water Storage Tank Clean and Disinfection • Chlorine Dioxide Dosage and Control Packages • Remote Monitoring Systems • Specialist Management of Swimming Pools and Spa Facilities • Water Treatment Programmes for Cooling Towers, Heating and Chilled Water Systems • National 24/7 Coverage • Free of Charge, Bespoke Web-Based Log Book • Other Specialist Water Related Services Available on Request. We have worked within the Caravan and Holiday Parks, Leisure, and Hospitality sectors for many years and understand the water hygiene and treatment issues these sectors face on a day by day basis. These sites can be notoriously high-risk from Legionella bacteria due to accommodation often not being used regularly, sometimes up to a whole season. Legionella Compliance has been strong on the radar of the HSE lately within these markets and not being compliant, well informed or pro-active in this area can be a major detriment to your business. One of the main issues is the management of the potable water storage and distribution systems, which need to be maintained within current drinking water standards. Many sites overlook this area and are then caught out when audits are carried out by the local water supplier. We fully understand the processes that need to be followed to keep you compliant and can assist you with the necessary sampling certification and cleaning regimes. To find out more information, please get in touch with our sales team on 0345 600 6028, or email: whsales@integrated-water.co.ukand specify Caravan Industry & Park Operator. A full range of our services can be found: www.integrated-water.co.uk
