Call the experts on: 01706 878 330
Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by any type of Legionella bacteria. You can catch Legionnaires’ disease if you breathe in droplets of water containing the bacteria that causes infections. It’s usually found in places such as hotels, hospitals, or offices where the bacteria have got into the water supply, and can be found in air conditioning systems, showers, taps, or toilets.
Legionella bacteria grows in water systems at temperatures between 20°C and 45°C, especially where turnover of water is low. Due to the lockdown, buildings across the country have been left unoccupied and run the risk of water stagnating, providing conditions where harmful Legionella bacteria can grow. Beta Group is urging property owners and business managers across the country to be aware of the risks and take appropriate action.
Some water systems may be unsafe to be put straight back into use on return from lockdown. Beta Group advises you to speak to our water engineers and devise a plan to recommission your water system to allow for a speedy and safe start-up.
Thorough cleaning and disinfection is required followed by proper sampling to determine that the water system is safe, and Legionella is being controlled, before a water system can be used. It’s vital you do this before you bring your staff back to work.
Sometimes it may be necessary to repeat the disinfection and sampling process to achieve control of the bacteria; this will depend on the concentration of contamination that has built-up within the system.
The impact of the lockdown caused many businesses to move towards homeworking arrangements during the Coronavirus pandemic which, in turn, reduced the demand for water in commercial buildings. This possibly has had the unintended consequence of increasing the risk of water stagnation.
As part of Beta Group’s building services, we offer water sampling and testing to ensure water systems are safe to use. Our team of on-the-road engineers have been carrying out servicing projects for schools across the country in preparation for their re-opening in June. Wearing PPE, including face masks and disposable gloves, we’ve taken as many precautions as possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and will continue to do the same in the future.
Interested in working with Beta Group?
Please complete the form below to make an enquiry about our products and one of our friendly team will get in touch with you.
