Legionella is a type of bacterium that can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. It is important to control and prevent the spread of Legionella within schools to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff. Some ways to control and prevent the spread of Legionella in schools include:
- Maintaining and regularly inspecting and cleaning all water systems and appliances, such as faucets, showers, and most importantly your Water Storage Tank which needs to cleaned and disinfected once a year by a competent expert.
- Ensuring that water is stored and distributed at a temperature of at least 60°C (140°F).
- Disinfecting water systems and appliances using chlorine or other approved disinfectants on a regular basis.
- Testing water regularly for the presence of Legionella this means sampling.
- Providing information and training to staff and students about the risks of Legionella and how to prevent its spread with regular flush and running taps especially during school breaks.
- Implementing proper hygiene practices, this can done with a Legionella Risk Assessment of your building. Safer Fire & Legionella Solutions Ltd are experts on risk assessments for legionellae risk contact then www.solutions.ie or email info@safersolutions.ie
- It is also important to promptly repair any water leaks or other sources of standing water, as these can create conditions that are favorable for the growth of Legionella.