Frequently Asked Questions
Our experts are often asked about Legionella Bacteria Control. We have complied the common questions and answered them for you below.
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FAQs
What is Legionnaires' Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease or Legionellosis is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. People may get infected when they breathe in tiny water droplets (aerosols) or droplet nuclei (particles left after the water has evaporated) contaminated with elevated concentrations of Legionella bacteria.
Legionella bacteria grow best between temperatures of 20°C – 45°C, with optimum growth temperature being 35°C – 40°C. High temperatures (minimum 60°C) usually kill the bacteria.
Legionella bacteria are found in low numbers in natural aquatic environments, for instance, lakes, rivers and ground water. As a result, it is virtually impossible to prevent Legionella bacteria entering man-made water systems.
In low numbers the bacteria are generally considered harmless. With the correct conditions, for example, warm water, the presence of micro-organisms and nutrients in the water or materials such as rust, these bacteria can grow and multiply to high levels which increase the risk of exposure.
The bacteria tend to grow in biofilms (slime). Biofilms are likely to form on surfaces where there is low water flow or water is allowed to stagnate. However the growth of Legionella bacteria can be controlled.
Your responsibilities
As a Buildings or Facilities Manager or a Responsible Person, you have clear responsibilities around the control of Legionella bacteria in your water systems.
Specifically, you MUST:
- Identify and assess sources of risk using competent help and advice
- Prepare a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk
- Implement, manage and monitor precautions
- Keep records of the precautions
- Appoint a person to be managerially responsible.
Remote monitoring v traditional monitoring services
Remote Temperature monitoring allows a more effective and efficient way of meeting your regulatory compliance needs.
HBE24 is HBE’s Remote Temperature Monitoring solution. HBE24 takes Legionella Control to the next level, by digitalising assets, remotely monitoring temperatures and removes the need physical contact through IoT (internet of things) technology all while hosting a range of powerful data in one location with a multitude of reporting options.
o.How does the system work?
HBE24 devices are strategically and discretely installed with no impact on your IT infrastructure. Once installed you are ready to go!
HBE24 devices can monitor a range of functions including:
- Water temperatures
- Automatic flushing
- Leak detection
- Water turnover
- Ambient air temperatures
- Humidity and air quality
HBE24 transmits data to the cloud via the world’s largest IoT network ensuring safe, secure and encrypted data is sent from the HBE24 devices to the Bluezone Legionella Manager platform.