Experts in Legionella Risk Assessments & Legionella Compliance Solutions
Bespoke Compliance Solutions LTD has a team of Legionella Compliance experts that make the whole process simple and provide a complete and concise risk assessment report and guidance on how to become compliant and keep your water systems safe.
What we do...
At Bespoke Compliance Solutions, we specialise in helping businesses, landlords, and facility managers stay fully compliant with Legionella regulations. Our expert team provides comprehensive risk assessments, water testing, monitoring, and management plans to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and ensure your premises meet all UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) requirements. Whether you manage residential properties, commercial buildings, or healthcare facilities, we deliver tailored Legionella compliance solutions that protect your occupants, safeguard your reputation, and give you complete peace of mind.
Services
Legionella Risk Assessments
A Legionella risk assessment is a legal requirement for landlords, employers, and property managers to identify and control the risk of Legionella bacteria in water systems. The assessment involves inspecting hot and cold water systems, identifying potential sources where bacteria could grow, and providing recommendations to reduce risks. It forms the foundation of your Legionella compliance plan and helps ensure the safety of tenants, staff, and visitors.
Water Testing
Legionella water testing is the process of sampling and analysing water from your system to detect the presence of Legionella bacteria. Testing is often recommended for higher-risk systems, such as cooling towers, hot and cold water tanks, and healthcare facilities. Regular testing helps verify that control measures are working effectively and provides peace of mind that your water supply is safe and compliant with health and safety regulations.
System Disinfection
Water system disinfection is the process of thoroughly cleaning and treating hot and cold water systems to remove harmful bacteria, including Legionella. This is typically carried out after new installations, major plumbing works, or when contamination is suspected. Disinfection helps ensure your water supply is safe, compliant, and free from bacteria that could pose a risk to health.
Legionella risk assessments
Legionella risk assessments are the starting point for water safety compliance. We carry out risk assessments for:
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Care homes
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Dental practices
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Hospitals
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Schools, colleges and universities
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Gyms and leisure facilities
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Cafes, restaurants and hotels
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Rental properties
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Offices and more
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Legionella Risk Assessments and Compliance
If your building has a hot or cold water system, the first thing you need to do is get Legionella risk assessment—it's the law!
The risk assessment covers everything from water tanks and pipes to taps, toilets, sinks, showers, and even cleaning equipment. Not sure if your system needs a Legionella assessment? Just ask us!
We provide water hygiene and Legionella compliance services in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and London, helping you understand your responsibilities under ACoP L8 and HSG274.
Why not book a free consultation with one of our friendly experts? We're here to help!
Legionella risk assessments - a commercial premises case study
Having a Legionella risk assessment does not automatically mean you're compliant.
If you ignore suggested actions from your Legionella risk assessment then you're putting people at risk and it's likely to cost you more money in the long-run.
We recently helped a company become fully compliant. But sadly they learnt the hard way.
Why work with us?
10+ years of industry experience in compliance
We know Legionella and water hygiene compliance inside and out!
Our customers rate us 10/10 and highly recommended us
We’re highly recommended for a reason. Clients value our authenticity and reliability.
We’ll make Legionella compliance straightforward.
Partner with us to feel informed and supported. We are the compliance experts you can trust.
FAQ: Legionella Bacteria, Legionella Risk Assessments and Legionnaires’ Disease
What is Legionella bacteria?
Legionella is a type of bacteria that can live in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. It can also enter man-made water systems, where it may grow if conditions are suitable.
Legionella becomes a risk when contaminated water droplets are released into the air and breathed in. This can happen through showers, taps, cooling towers, spa pools, hot tubs, and other water systems that create spray or mist.
Where is Legionella bacteria found?
Legionella bacteria can be found in both natural and man-made water systems. In buildings, it may be found in:
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Hot and cold water systems
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Water tanks
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Showers
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Taps
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Spa pools and hot tubs
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Cooling towers
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Decorative fountains
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Air conditioning and process water systems
The bacteria are more likely to grow where water is stagnant, temperatures are poorly controlled, or systems are not properly cleaned and maintained.
Why is Legionella bacteria dangerous?
Legionella bacteria can cause illness if people breathe in contaminated water droplets. The most serious illness linked to Legionella is Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially severe form of pneumonia.
Not everyone exposed to Legionella will become ill, but the risk is higher for older people, smokers, people with weakened immune systems, and those with existing health conditions.
What conditions help Legionella bacteria grow?
Legionella bacteria are more likely to grow in water systems where there is:
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Warm water
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Stagnant or little-used water
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Poor water circulation
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Scale, rust, sludge, or biofilm
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Poorly maintained tanks or pipework
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Incorrect hot and cold water temperatures
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Dead legs or redundant pipework
Good water hygiene and regular monitoring help reduce these risks.
What is a Legionella risk assessment?
A Legionella risk assessment is a detailed check of a water system to identify whether Legionella bacteria could grow and spread. It helps property owners, landlords, employers, and duty holders understand the level of risk and what action is needed to control it.
The assessment looks at the condition, design, use, and management of the water system.
Why do I need a Legionella risk assessment?
You need a Legionella risk assessment to help protect people from exposure to Legionella bacteria and to meet your legal responsibilities as a duty holder.
A risk assessment helps identify hazards before they become serious problems. It also provides a clear record showing that Legionella risks have been considered and are being managed properly.
Who needs a Legionella risk assessment?
A Legionella risk assessment may be needed for many types of premises, including:
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Rental properties
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Offices
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Shops
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Schools and nurseries
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Hotels and guest houses
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Care homes
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Healthcare premises
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Gyms and leisure centres
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Warehouses and factories
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Managed residential buildings
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Commercial and industrial sites
Anyone responsible for a property or water system should make sure Legionella risks are assessed and controlled.
What happens during a Legionella risk assessment?
During a Legionella risk assessment, a competent assessor will inspect the water system and check for possible risk factors. This may include looking at water temperatures, tanks, pipework, outlets, little-used areas, maintenance records, and how the system is managed. The assessor will usually provide a report with findings, risk ratings, photographs where useful, and recommended actions.
Is Legionella testing the same as a Legionella risk assessment?
No. A Legionella risk assessment and Legionella testing are different.
A Legionella risk assessment identifies risks in the water system and explains how they should be controlled.
Legionella testing involves taking water samples and sending them to a laboratory to check whether Legionella bacteria are present. Testing may be recommended, but it does not replace the need for a proper risk assessment.
How often should a Legionella risk assessment be reviewed?
A Legionella risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it may no longer be valid. This could include when the water system changes, the building use changes, the property has been vacant, monitoring results are poor, vulnerable people use the building, or previous control measures are no longer effective.
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by breathing in tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It can affect the lungs and may become severe, especially in people who are older, smoke, have weakened immune systems, or have existing health conditions.
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease?
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include:
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High temperature or fever
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
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Chest pain
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Muscle aches
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Headache
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Tiredness
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Confusion
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Diarrhoea or sickness
The symptoms can be similar to other chest infections or pneumonia, so medical advice should be sought if Legionnaires’ disease is suspected.
How do people catch Legionnaires’ disease?
People can catch Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in contaminated water droplets. This may happen when water systems produce spray, mist, or aerosols. Possible sources include showers, hot tubs, spa pools, cooling towers, taps, and other water systems that release fine droplets into the air. Legionnaires’ disease is not usually spread from person to person.
Who is most at risk from Legionnaires’ disease?
People at higher risk include:
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Adults over 45
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Smokers
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Heavy drinkers
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People with chronic lung or heart disease
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People with diabetes
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People with weakened immune systems
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People with serious underlying health conditions
Buildings used by vulnerable people should be managed with particular care.
Can Legionnaires’ disease be prevented?
The risk of Legionnaires’ disease can be reduced by properly managing water systems. This includes carrying out a Legionella risk assessment, controlling water temperatures, preventing stagnation, cleaning and maintaining systems, flushing little-used outlets, and keeping accurate compliance records.
For higher-risk systems, a written control scheme and ongoing monitoring may also be needed.
What should I do if I think I have Legionnaires’ disease?
If you think you may have Legionnaires’ disease, you should seek medical advice straight away. Legionnaires’ disease can be serious and may need urgent treatment.
A Legionella risk assessment or water test cannot diagnose illness in a person. Diagnosis must be carried out by a healthcare professional.
What should I do if I am responsible for a property?
If you are responsible for a property, workplace, rental home, or commercial building, you should make sure Legionella risks have been assessed and are being properly controlled.
A professional Legionella risk assessment can help you understand your duties, identify risks, and put the right control measures in place.