%20(210%20x%20148%20mm)%20(210%20x%20148%20mm)_pn.png)
Keeping Students, Staff and Visitors Safe - Educational establishments such as schools, colleges, and universities have a legal and moral duty to ensure their water systems are safe from Legionella bacteria. With complex buildings, fluctuating water use, and periods of low occupancy (such as weekends or holidays), these environments can easily develop the ideal conditions for Legionella growth if not properly managed.
At Bespoke Compliance Solutions, we specialise in Legionella compliance for education providers, helping duty holders and facilities teams maintain safe, efficient, and legally compliant water systems.
Why Legionella Compliance Matters in Education Settings
Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water between 20°C and 45°C, particularly in systems with scale, biofilm, or corrosion. When water droplets are inhaled — for example, from showers, taps, or science lab equipment — they can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe respiratory infection.
Schools, colleges, and universities are particularly at risk because they often have:
-
Large, complex plumbing systems with long pipe runs
-
Multiple outlets such as showers, drinking fountains, science labs, and kitchens
-
Periods of low use or closure, such as weekends, holidays, or term breaks
-
Old or redundant pipework that allows stagnation
-
Mix of building ages, from new builds to heritage properties.
Without a structured Legionella management plan, these factors can create serious risks to staff, students, and visitors.
Legal Duties for Educational Establishments
Under UK law, schools, colleges, and universities are required to control the risk of Legionella under the following regulations:
-
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
-
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
-
HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACoP L8)
-
HSG274 Part 2 – The control of Legionella in hot and cold water systems
These regulations state that the duty holder (usually the headteacher, principal, facilities manager, or governing body) must:
-
Identify and assess the risk of Legionella
-
Appoint a competent Responsible Person
-
Implement a written control scheme
-
Monitor, maintain, and record control measures
-
Review the risk assessment regularly, especially after system changes or long closures
Failure to comply can result in legal action, heavy fines, reputational damage, or — most importantly — harm to students and staff.
Steps to Achieve Legionella Compliance in Schools and Universities
Achieving compliance starts with understanding your water systems and controlling conditions where bacteria might grow. A robust Legionella control programme should include:
1. Legionella Risk Assessment
A professional assessment identifies where risks exist — such as dead legs, storage tanks, or infrequently used outlets — and provides practical recommendations for control.
2. Temperature Monitoring
Regular temperature checks ensure hot water is stored above 60°C and cold water stays below 20°C. These readings should be logged and reviewed.
3. Flushing and Maintenance
Outlets that are not regularly used — such as classroom sinks or sports changing rooms — must be flushed weekly to prevent stagnation.
4. Cleaning and Disinfection
Shower heads, taps, and hoses should be cleaned and descaled quarterly. Water storage tanks may require periodic chlorination or disinfection.
5. Record Keeping
Maintain accurate records of all risk assessments, monitoring, maintenance, and remedial actions. These may be inspected by regulators or auditors.
6. Training and Awareness
Duty holders, caretakers, and maintenance staff should receive Legionella awareness training to ensure responsibilities are clearly understood.
Why Partner with Bespoke Compliance Solutions?
We work with schools, academies, colleges, and universities across the UK to deliver full Legionella compliance support. Our services include:
-
✅ Comprehensive Legionella risk assessments
-
✅ Development of written schemes of control
-
✅ Temperature monitoring and flushing programmes
-
✅ Cleaning, disinfection, and sampling
-
✅ Staff training and ongoing compliance support
-
✅ Digital logbooks and reporting for easy record management
Our team of experienced assessors and engineers are fully qualified, DBS-checked, and trained to work safely in educational environments.
Benefits of Legionella Compliance for Educational Establishments
-
🧑🏫 Protects students, staff, and visitors from harmful bacteria
-
⚖️ Meets all HSE and COSHH legal requirements
-
💰 Reduces maintenance costs through proactive management
-
🏫 Safeguards reputation and promotes a safe learning environment
-
📋 Provides clear, auditable documentation for inspections
Ensure Legionella Compliance in Your School or Campus - Whether you manage a small primary school or a large multi-site university, Bespoke Compliance Solutions can help you maintain safe and compliant water systems.
Contact Bespoke Compliance Solutions today to schedule a Legionella risk assessment or to discuss your ongoing water hygiene management needs.
📞 Call us: 01296 914916
📧 Email: info@bc-solutions.co.uk
🌐 Visit: www.bespokecompliancesolutions.co.uk