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Legionella Compliance
in Hospitality & Leisure Premises

Legionella Compliance in Hospitality and Leisure Premises

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Protecting Guests, Staff, and Your Reputation - Hotels, spas, gyms, swimming pools, and leisure centres all rely on complex water systems that, if not properly maintained, can harbour Legionella bacteria.
These environments often include showers, hot tubs, cooling towers, decorative fountains, and storage tanks — all potential breeding grounds for bacteria if water temperatures and hygiene controls are not correctly managed.

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At Bespoke Compliance Solutions, we specialise in Legionella compliance for hospitality and leisure premises, helping you safeguard guests, staff, and your brand reputation while meeting all HSE ACoP L8 and HSG274 requirements.

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Understanding the Risk

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Legionella bacteria are naturally occurring microorganisms that thrive in warm, stagnant water between 20°C and 45°C. When contaminated water droplets become airborne — such as from showers, spa pools, or misting systems — they can be inhaled, causing Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

Hospitality and leisure venues are considered high-risk environments because they typically feature:

  • Hot and cold water systems with multiple outlets

  • Jacuzzis, spa pools, or hydrotherapy baths

  • Showers, steam rooms, and changing facilities

  • Cooling towers and evaporative condensers

  • Intermittently used areas (e.g. seasonal accommodation or underused rooms)

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The combination of warm water, complex systems, and high public use increases both infection risk and legal responsibility.

Legal Requirements for Legionella Control

UK law requires all employers, landlords, and those in control of premises to assess and manage Legionella riskunder:

  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA)

  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

  • HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8)

  • HSG274 Parts 1–3: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems

Duty holders must:

  1. Appoint a Responsible Person for water safety.

  2. Conduct a Legionella risk assessment of all water systems.

  3. Implement a written scheme of control to manage identified risks.

  4. Monitor water temperatures and system performance regularly.

  5. Maintain detailed records of all inspections, testing, and maintenance.

  6. Train staff to recognise and manage potential Legionella risks.

Non-compliance can lead to prosecution, fines, business closure, or reputational damage.

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Our Legionella Compliance Services for Hospitality and Leisure

 

At Bespoke Compliance Solutions, we provide a complete range of Legionella control and compliance services tailored to the hospitality and leisure industry, including:

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1. Legionella Risk Assessments

Comprehensive inspections of your site to identify risk areas such as showers and cold-water storage tanks. Each report includes a prioritised action plan to maintain compliance.

2. Water Sampling and Testing

We provide UKAS-accredited Legionella testing to verify that your control measures are effective and water quality is safe.

3. Cleaning and Disinfection

Routine tank cleaning, descaling, and disinfection of showers, spa systems, and cooling towers using HSE-approved biocides and disinfection methods.

4. Temperature Monitoring and Flushing

Regular monitoring of hot and cold outlets to maintain correct temperatures, combined with flushing regimes for low-use outlets and guest rooms.

5. TMV Servicing

We inspect, clean, and calibrate Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) to prevent stagnation and ensure safe outlet temperatures for guests.

6. Documentation and Compliance Support

All work is fully documented, providing evidence for audits, inspections, and compliance with HSE and local authority standards.

7. Staff Training

We deliver Legionella awareness training for maintenance and housekeeping staff, ensuring your team can spot early warning signs and follow safe working practices.

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Why Choose Bespoke Compliance Solutions?

  • 🏨 Specialists in hospitality and leisure environments

  • ⚖️ Full compliance with HSE ACoP L8 and HSG274

  • 🧪 UKAS-accredited Legionella testing

  • 👷 Trained, competent engineers and risk assessors

  • 📋 Clear reporting and digital compliance logbooks

  • 🌍 Nationwide coverage and flexible scheduling

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We understand the operational pressures of the hospitality industry. Our discreet and efficient services are designed to keep your facilities safe, compliant, and open for business.

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Protect Your Guests and Brand Reputation - Legionella outbreaks in hotels, gyms, or spas can cause severe illness and long-term reputational harm. Proactive Legionella management not only ensures legal compliance but also demonstrates your commitment to guest safety and operational excellence.

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Contact Bespoke Compliance Solutions today to schedule a Legionella risk assessment or discuss a complete water hygiene management plan for your hospitality or leisure site.

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📞 Call: 01296 914916
📧 Email: info@bc-solutions.co.uk
🌐 Visit: www.bespokecompliancesolutions.co.uk

Thermostatic Mixing Valves

Find out more about why it is important to maintain TMVs.

FAQ: Legionella Compliance in Hospitality & Leisure Premises

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1. Why is Legionella control so important in hospitality and leisure premises?

Legionella bacteria can grow in water systems commonly found in hotels, spas, gyms, and leisure centres.
When water droplets containing the bacteria are inhaled — for example, from showers, hot tubs, or cooling towers — they can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a serious and potentially fatal form of pneumonia.
Because hospitality and leisure facilities serve large numbers of people, including vulnerable guests, effective Legionella control is essential to protect health and maintain your business reputation.

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2. What are the legal requirements for Legionella compliance in hospitality businesses?

UK law requires all businesses, including those in the hospitality and leisure sector, to identify and control the risk of Legionella under:

  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA)

  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

  • HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (ACoP L8)

  • HSG274 Parts 1–3

These require duty holders to:

  1. Carry out a Legionella risk assessment.

  2. Implement a written scheme of control.

  3. Monitor, inspect, and maintain systems regularly.

  4. Keep comprehensive records.

  5. Train staff involved in water system management.

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3. Who is responsible for Legionella compliance in a hotel or leisure facility?

The duty holder — usually the owner, general manager, or facilities manager — has the legal responsibility for Legionella management.
They may appoint a Responsible Person (Water Safety) or an external Legionella compliance contractor to implement monitoring, testing, and maintenance tasks.
However, legal responsibility cannot be delegated, even if external specialists are used.

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4. What systems are at risk in hospitality and leisure environments?

Common risk areas include:

  • Showers, taps, and spa pools

  • Jacuzzis and hot tubs

  • Cooling towers and air conditioning systems

  • Steam rooms and humidifiers

  • Cold-water storage tanks and calorifiers

  • Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs)

  • Ornamental fountains or water features
    Any water system that stores or circulates water at temperatures between 20°C and 45°C can support Legionella growth.

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5. How often should Legionella risk assessments be carried out in hotels and spas?

A Legionella risk assessment should be reviewed:

  • Every 2 years, or sooner if:

    • The building layout or water system changes.

    • Occupancy levels or usage patterns change (e.g., seasonal closure).

    • There is evidence of poor control or a Legionella detection.

    • A case of Legionnaires’ disease is linked to the premises.
      Regular review ensures your control measures remain effective and compliant.

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6. What are the key control measures to prevent Legionella?

To keep your water systems safe:

  • Maintain hot water above 60°C and cold water below 20°C.

  • Flush infrequently used outlets weekly.

  • Clean and disinfect water tanks and showers at regular intervals.

  • Service TMVs annually to prevent scale and stagnation.

  • Monitor temperatures monthly and record results.

  • Conduct routine Legionella sampling and testing.

  • Provide staff training on water hygiene and safe management procedures.

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7. How often should water sampling and testing be done in leisure premises?

Sampling frequency depends on your risk assessment, but generally:

  • Quarterly testing for high-risk systems like spa pools and cooling towers.

  • Routine sampling for hotels or gyms with complex systems.

  • Immediate testing after system cleaning, disinfection, or temperature control failures.
    All sampling should be carried out by trained professionals and analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.

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8. What happens if Legionella is found in our water system?

If Legionella bacteria are detected:

  1. Notify the Responsible Person immediately.

  2. Investigate the cause (e.g., temperature failure, stagnation, biofilm).

  3. Disinfect the system using thermal or chemical treatment.

  4. Resample to verify the issue has been resolved.

  5. Update your risk assessment and control plan.
    Prompt, professional action is essential to minimise risk to guests and staff.

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9. How does Legionella compliance benefit my business?

  • Protects guests, staff, and visitors from illness.

  • Demonstrates legal compliance with HSE regulations.

  • Prevents costly enforcement actions or prosecutions.

  • Builds trust and confidence with customers.

  • Safeguards your brand reputation and helps meet insurance requirements.

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10. How can Bespoke Compliance Solutions help with Legionella compliance?

We provide full Legionella management solutions for hospitality and leisure premises, including:

  • Legionella risk assessments and action plans

  • Water sampling and UKAS-certified testing

  • Tank cleaning, disinfection, and flushing regimes

  • TMV servicing and calibration

  • Temperature monitoring and logbooks

  • Staff training and compliance reporting

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Our team of qualified specialists ensures your site remains safe, compliant, and audit-ready.

Request a Quotation

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