1. Have one named person responsible for legionella control.
2. Ensure the named person is trained in control of legionella and other staff are trained to be aware of the importance of their role in controlling legionella.
3. Keep hot water hot and circulating at all times: 50°C - 60°C (too hot to put hands into for more than a few seconds).
4. Keep cold water cold at all times. It should be maintained at temperatures below 20°C (this may not be possible when the ambient temperature is high, but every effort should be made to ensure that cold water entering a premises remains as cold as possible).
5. Run all taps and showers in guest rooms for several minutes at least once a week if they are unoccupied and always prior to occupation.
6. Keep shower heads and taps clean and free from scale.
7. Clean and disinfect cooling towers and associated pipes used in air conditioning systems regularly - at least twice per year.
8. Clean and disinfect water heaters (calorifiers) once per year.
9. Disinfect the hot water system with high level (50mg/l) chlorine for 2-4 hours after work on water heaters and before the beginning of every season.
10. Clean and disinfect all water filters regularly - every one to three months.
11. Inspect water storage tanks, cooling towers and visible pipe work monthly. Ensure that all coverings are intact and firmly in place.
12. Inspect the inside of cold water tanks at least once per year and disinfect with 50mg/l chlorine and clean if containing a deposit or otherwise dirty.
13. Ensure that system modifications or new installations do not create pipework with intermittent or no water flow.
14. If there is a spa pool (also known as whirlpool spas, "Jacuzzis", spa baths) ensure that:
- It is continuously treated with 2-3mg/l chlorine or bromine and the levels are monitored at least three times per day.
- At least half of the water is replaced each day.
- Sand filters are backwashed daily.
- The whole system is cleaned and disinfected once per week.
Daily records of all water treatment readings such as temperature and chlorine concentrations are kept and ensure they are checked regularly by the manager
15. Daily records are kept of all water treatment readings, such as temperature, pH and chorine concentrations and ensure they are checked regularly by the manager
Note: Where these temperatures cannot be achieved due to local conditions, suitable alternative residual disinfection procedures must be used and supported by regular testing for Legionella. Residual disinfection procedures that have been used include chlorine, chlorine dioxide and copper/silver ionisation. If chlorine is used in the mains water supply it may be still necessary the use of a supplemental source of chlorine at the site in order to achieve a sufficient chlorine concentration at the terminal points (e g > 0,2 mg/L).
Further advice about specific controls should be sought from experts in this field who can carry out a full risk assessment of the premises.
PLEASE ADVISE THE TRAVEL PROVIDER OF ANY NOTIFIED CASES OF LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE THAT AFFECT GUESTS WHO HAVE STAYED IN YOUR PREMISES
REFERENCE: Adapted from European Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Travel Associated Legionnaires’ disease (2005)