Landlords should conduct legionella risk assessments to prevent occupants from acquiring Legionnaires’ disease from contaminated water. Landlords can use this legionella risk assessment template to record water heating and storage equipment (boiler, hot water cylinder, cold water storage tank) and check the condition and temperature for each. Assess if occupants or tenants were given information about the control of Legionella. Lastly, detail other risks identified. Validate the audit by providing a digital signature.
Schematics (optional - might be useful for complex system)
Schematic diagram
Water Supply
How is water fed to the dwelling?
Describe other systems
Water heating and storage
Add any boilers heating the hot water (including if it heats a cylinder)
Where is the boiler located?
Other description
Record the temperature of the hot water setting
(If temp. not shown, enter dial setting e.g. Max)
Is the temperature between 55 and 60 degrees Celsius?
Temperature in Celsius:
Add any hot water cylinders here (whether heated by a boiler or electric)
Where is the hot water cylinder located?
Other description
Is this a fortic tank?
It is recommended that the fortic tank be removed at the earliest opportunity and replaced with a different type of hot water provider. In the meantime, the temperature on the hot water setting should be set to at least 60 degrees.
What is the temperature setting on the cylinder?
Is the temperature setting between 55 and 60 degrees?
Are there any cold water tanks supplying a hot water cylinder?
Where is the cold water tank which supplies the hot water cylinder located?
(check name not set)
Is there a well fitted lid on the tank?
Is the tank clean?
Is the tank lagged?
Is the water stored at below 20 degrees?
Record the temperature of the water in the tank:
Record of temperatures
List of outlets and temperatures.
If there are thermostatic mixer valves, the temperatures recorded are the temperatures of the pipes as close to the TMV as possible.
Outlet name / location
Other description
Is the outlet fed via a TMV?
Hot water temperature:
Cold water temperature:
Is the cold water below 20 degrees and the hot water 50 degrees or greater?
Showers
Add any showers
Where is the shower located?
Other description
Does the shower head look clean?
The showerhead should be disinfected, dismantled, and cleaned by the occupier quarterly or as indicated by the rate of fouling.
Spa pools
Add any whirlpool baths, spa baths, hot tubs, jacuzzis
Where are they located?
Other description
Does the item look clean and regularly disinfected?
It is recommended that spa pools which include whirlpool baths, spa baths, hot tubs etc. should be removed at the earliest opportunity.
The occupier should disinfect after EVERY use according to manufacturers instructions.
Deadlegs
Add any deadlegs
Location
Add media
Does the deadleg require removal? (Normally the answer is remove.)
This deadleg should be removed within one month of the report by a competent person.
Information
Are occupiers given information about the control of legionella?
See later in this risk assessment for suggested wording on a tenant's information leaflet which should be provided to the current occupier and to new occupiers at the time of signing any tenancy agreement.
Void periods
Is there adequate procedures in place when there are void periods?
Recommended action for void periods: taps should be opened during viewings with prospective tenants at least weekly.
If the property is unoccupied for longer than 6 weeks, the hot cylinder (if present) should be heated to at least 60 degrees for one hour and run through for 5 minutes. Where there is no cylinder, the temperature should be set to 60 degrees and run through for 5 minutes.
For longer periods, consideration should be given to professional cleaning.
Where a new tenant is to take occupation, temperatures on boilers and cylinders should be checked to ensure they are set at between 55 and 60 degrees.
Any other risks identified
Details of risk identified
Detail of risk identified
Take photos (optional)
Banding, review and signature
Risk banding
The risk score is defined as follows:
0% to 40% - High risk - there is a high risk to the people identified and prompt action is needed
41% - 74% - Medium risk - there is a medium risk to the people identified and the recommended action is required within one month
75% - 100% - Low risk - there is a low risk to the people identified. Recommendations to be completed as soon as possible
Review
A review of this risk assessment should be carried out regularly (at least every two years) and whenever there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid for example if there is:
• a change to the water system or its use;
• a change to the use of the building where the system is installed;
• new information available about risks or control measures;
• the results of checks indicating that control measures are no longer effective;
• changes to key personnel;
• a case of legionnaires’ disease / legionellosis associated with the system
Please note that this checklist template is a hypothetical appuses-hero example and provides only standard information. The template does not aim to replace, among other things, workplace, health and safety advice, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or any other applicable law. You should seek your professional advice to determine whether the use of such a checklist is appropriate in your workplace or jurisdiction.
Please, finish the registration to access the content of the checklist.
