Water Temperature Testing For Legionella

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Water temperature testing for legionella.

When state regulations or codes do not allow hot water temperatures above the range of 105 f 120 f 40 6 c 49 c for hospitals or 95 f 110 f 35 c 43 3 c for nursing care facilities or when buildings cannot be retrofitted for. The prime temperature for the bacteria to proliferate at is between 20 45 degrees celsius 68 113 f. The water management program team should regularly monitor water quality parameters such as disinfectant and temperature levels. Water testing is the only way to determine whether legionella is present in a water system.

If the water used in a building by accident or design sits between 20 45 degrees celsius legionella and other potentially dangerous bacteria can breed and spread through the water system. Water services should be operated at temperatures that prevent legionella growth. Learn more about ukas laboratory legionella testing how to check water temperatures hot and cold water temperatures. Hot water storage cylinders calorifiers should store water at 60 c or higher hot water should be distributed at.

By monitoring these parameters the team can ensure that building water systems are operating in a way to minimize hazardous conditions that could encourage legionella and other waterborne pathogens to grow. This is why the hse s guidance recommends keeping hot water above 50 c 55 c in healthcare and cold water below 20 c. The thermometer pocket at the top of the cylinder and on the return leg if fitted is a useful point for accurate. Hot water should be stored at 60 c at least in order to kill legionella bacteria.

Because of this and because of the risks of legionella exposure it s vital that water systems are regularly tested for the bacteria. Controlling legionella using water temperature thermal control legionella bacteria thrives in temperatures between 20 c and 45 c.