Legionella Free Test

hellomoto

Hi guys,

I have been advised that before renting my flat out I need to complete a legionella test on the water.
Does anyone know of any free tests that can be done?

Thanks

davidmcn

Might be some confusion - as far as I know, the most you have to do is carry out a risk assessment, not a "test". There was a recent thread here if you have a search.

G_M

advised by.......?

hellomoto

advised by.......?

My letting agent

AlexMac

First time I've heard of this, and as I rent out a BTL via a Housing Association who were very demanding in terms of the initial spec for wired alarms, bathroom extractors, gas and electrical safety, but didn't say a thing about this, I'd be amazed if its a specific leagl requirement. My reading of the HSE guidance indicates that your agent is falling prey to creeping 'risk-aversion-itis'; the same syndrome which stops kids playing conkers without welder's masks!
Look at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/faqs.htm
most of this is aimed at commercial landlords or big properties, but by my reading, rather than testing water in the storage tanks, you can do a risk assessment yourself then tell the tenant to keep the system at a normal temperature and to clean the shower head occasionally- unless you have a really antique group heating system or cooling towers out the back...

fishpond

hellomoto wrote: »

advised by.......?

My letting agent

Of course they know someone who, for a fee, will do this for you.
Get rid of the LA.

piggeh

You don't need to test for legionella, has it been vacant for a while though?

edit: if its been empty for a while, I would just run all the outlets for 10 minutes. The water is chlorinated from the mains so will generally be safe.

G_M

hellomoto wrote: »

advised by.......?

My letting agent

In that case, can I suggest:

* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

patman99

piggeh wrote: »

You don't need to test for legionella, has it been vacant for a while though?

edit: if its been empty for a while, I would just run all the outlets for 10 minutes. The water is chlorinated from the mains so will generally be safe.

Chlorine does not kill all the legionella, it just keeps it down to a safe level and this is only achieved where the water system is regularly used and the hot and cold water temperatures are kept within guideline limits.

Hot water should always be above 60 Deg. C.
Cold water should always be below 20 Deg. C.

Legionella multiplies rapidly between these temperatures which is why all unused water outlets (taps, showers and sluices) need flushing once a week for a minimum of 20 minutes.

For a property likely to be left vacant, the easier solution is to turn off the water supply at the mains and drain both the hot and cold systems completely.

Legionella in drinking water is not dangerous to drink as our digestive system soon kills them. It is however, dangerous at high levels when inhaled as a mist (steam for instance), as it enters our lungs when the conditions for it's growth are perfect (plenty of moisture and temperature of 37 deg. C.).

Op, if you want to get a test done, then you can easily find a plumber who can do this. The test cost varies, but is around the £20 per sample mark.
Tests take a long time before the results become available.

How do I know all about legionella testing?. Well, in my job I have to undertake flushing of unused water outlets and am trained in legionella control.

hellomoto

Thanks guys, thats a couple of good places to start.
As its been emptyish I think I will flush the system and take it from there
Thanks again