FAQ - Legionella Testing

• What is Legionella?

Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria including the most serious Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia, and everyone is susceptible to infection.

• Where does it come from?

Outbreaks of the illness occur from exposure to legionella growing in any water storage environment. Be it in your boiler in your kitchen, staff toilets in your warehouse or business, schools swimming pool or the showers at home or care home. Legionella can grow in any stored or re-circulated water system, in any domestic or commercial environment.

• When does legionella become dangerous?

People contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella if the water temperature in all or some parts of the system may be between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for growth.

• Who is at risk?

The risk increases with age, but some people are at higher risk including:
• people over 45 years of age
• smokers and heavy drinkers
• people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease
diabetes, lung and heart disease
• anyone with an impaired immune system

• What are my responsibilities?

Since COVID 19 has become part of our daily lives we are all very aware of the need to protect ourselves and our loved ones at home. Regular testing will give you the piece of mind that your home is safe and as such we recommend annual testing.

If you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, including landlords, education, and care homes you must understand the health risks associated with legionella. Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA), as an employer, or a person in control of the premises, you are responsible for health and safety and need to take the right precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionella.

• What do we do?

The testing kit that we provide is an easy and cost-effective solution with clear instructions. We will send you sample bottles which you fill and return to our preferred UKAS accredited Laboratory. If no legionella is found, you will receive a certificate for your records and compliance with current legislation.

• What happens if legionella is found?

We will recommend a local company who can help. They will clean out the infected systems and then we can retest to ensure a legionella free system.

• Where do you ship to?

We ship to any UK postcode via Royal Mail.

• Where do you ship to?

We ship to any UK postcode via Royal Mail.

• What is included in the testing kit?

Our test kit includes sample bottles and a returns courier bag.

• How long does this process take?

As legionella can take 10 days to culture, please allow up to 14 days for top hear from us with the results.

• How often do we need to test?

Recommendation by health and safety is at least once a year but most housing associations, local councils and care homes will test every 3 months.

• Sample Bottle(s)Collection

Please only take samples between Monday and Friday to ensure that the sample gets get to the lab and tested within a 48-hour period.