Water risk assessments are important for commercial buildings to identify potential issues and take steps to prevent them. This is especially true when it comes to Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease. According to the Health and Safety Executive’s ACoP L8 guidelines, all building owners and managers have a legal duty to assess and control the risk of Legionella in water systems.

One of the key ways to assess the risk of Legionella in a commercial building is to conduct a risk assessment. This involves identifying the sources of water in the building, such as showers, taps, and cooling towers, and determining the potential for the bacteria to grow and spread. Factors that can increase the risk of Legionella include the presence of stagnant water, warm temperatures, and the presence of organic matter.

Once the sources of water have been identified, the risk assessment should consider the type and size of the building, the number of occupants, and the potential for exposure to Legionella. For example, a large office building with many showers and cooling towers would pose a higher risk than a small shop with only a few taps.

There are several steps that building owners and managers can take to control the risk of Legionella in water systems. These include maintaining the water systems in good condition, regularly cleaning and disinfecting showers and taps, and ensuring that water is stored and distributed at the correct temperature.

In addition to these measures, it is important to keep records of the risk assessment and any actions taken to control the risk of Legionella. This will help to demonstrate compliance with ACoP L8 and ensure that the building is safe for occupants.

Overall, conducting a water risk assessment is an important part of managing a commercial building. By identifying the sources of water and taking steps to control the risk of Legionella, building owners and managers can protect the health and safety of occupants and meet their legal obligations under ACoP L8.