Legionella sampling in Dublin means taking water samples from your premises and having them tested for legionella bacteria. At Safer Solutions, samples go to an independent accredited laboratory. Sampling is one part of managing legionella, alongside a written risk assessment and routine control measures such as temperature checks, flushing and cleaning.
What legionella sampling involves
- Choosing sample points from your legionella risk assessment, such as taps, showers, tanks and hot water plant
- Taking the samples carefully and recording where and when they were taken
- Sending them to the laboratory for analysis
- Reviewing the results with you and advising on any action needed
Results are not instant, and we tell you when to expect yours.
Sampling and risk assessment work together
A sample shows what was in the water on the day it was taken. A risk assessment looks at the whole system and explains why problems might arise. Read our guide on sampling versus risk assessment to see how they fit together.
How often should sampling be done?
Your risk assessment should set the frequency for your building. For healthcare settings, the HPSC National Guidelines for the Control of Legionellosis in Ireland recommend sampling twice a year. Other premises vary with the level of risk. See how often legionella sampling should be done.
Who needs legionella sampling in Dublin?
Sampling is often part of the water safety plan for nursing homes and care settings, hotels and guesthouses, schools, food processing sites, offices and managed apartment buildings. Whether it is right for you depends on your system and your risk assessment. Our guides cover nursing homes, offices in Dublin and apartment blocks and managed buildings.
Your legal duties
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must identify hazards and assess risks, and for most buildings that includes the water system. The HPSC guidelines and the Health and Safety Authority information on Legionnaires’ disease are the main Irish references.
Got a positive result?
A positive sample is a sign your system needs attention, not a reason to panic. Read what to do after a positive legionella sample, or call us and we will talk you through the next steps.
Talk to Safer Solutions
We carry out legionella risk assessments and sampling across Dublin and the rest of Ireland. Call 086 275 9728, email info@safersolutions.ie or request a quote. You can also see our page on fire risk assessments and legionella prevention in Dublin.
FAQs
What is included in legionella sampling in Dublin?
We choose sample points using your risk assessment, take the samples, send them to an independent accredited laboratory and review the results with you.
How often should legionella sampling be done?
Your risk assessment should set the frequency. For healthcare settings the HPSC national guidelines recommend sampling twice a year, and other premises vary with the level of risk.
Is sampling the same as a legionella risk assessment?
No. A sample shows what was in the water on the day it was taken, while a risk assessment looks at the whole system and the reasons problems could arise. They work together.