Legionella Compliance & Remedial Services in the North West
Deakin’s helps businesses, landlords and organisations across Preston, Lancashire and the North West assess and manage Legionella risks within their water systems.
From risk assessments and water hygiene checks to corrective plumbing work, cleaning and ongoing maintenance, our team can help you put suitable control measures in place.
Helping You Manage Legionella Risks
Employers, landlords and those responsible for commercial premises have a duty to understand and manage the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria.
The level of risk varies depending on the building, the people using it and the design and operation of its water systems. Some straightforward systems may present a relatively low risk, while larger, older or more complex systems can require detailed assessment, monitoring and corrective work.
Deakin’s provides practical support for organisations that need to assess their water systems, address problems identified during an inspection or incorporate Legionella control measures into their ongoing building maintenance.
Our Legionella Compliance Services
Legionella risk assessments
An assessment of your hot and cold water systems to identify potential sources of Legionella risk, existing control measures and any areas requiring further action.
Water-system inspections
Inspection of tanks, calorifiers, pipework, outlets, thermostatic mixing valves and other relevant components within the water system.
Temperature monitoring
Checks to determine whether hot and cold water temperatures are being maintained within the appropriate control parameters for the system.
Water sampling & analysis
Water sampling and laboratory analysis where this is identified as necessary by the risk assessment or there is concern about the effectiveness of the existing controls.Corrective plumbing works
Practical repairs and alterations to address defects or risk factors identified during an assessment, inspection or testing programme.
Cleaning and disinfection
Cleaning, chlorination and disinfection services for affected water systems where these measures are considered to be appropriate.
Legionella Remedial Plumbing and Corrective Work
Identifying a potential risk is only the first step. Where an assessment highlights defects, unsuitable pipework or poorly performing equipment, Deakin’s can carry out the practical work needed to improve the system.
Our commercial plumbing engineers can work from an existing Legionella risk assessment or help coordinate the assessment and remedial process as part of a wider maintenance programme.
Remedial works can include
- Removing redundant pipework and dead legs
- Repairing or replacing cold-water storage tanks
- Cleaning and disinfecting tanks and water systems
- Correcting poorly performing hot or cold water services
- Calorifier repairs and alterations
- Thermostatic mixing valve servicing
- Replacing damaged valves, outlets and components
- Improving access for future inspection and maintenance
- Flushing and recommissioning affected sections
- Completing recommended plumbing alterations
Dead ends, dead legs, stored water, inadequate temperatures and scale or debris can all contribute to the conditions considered during a Legionella risk assessment.
Already have a Legionella risk assessment?
Send us the report or recommended actions and our team can review the plumbing and remedial work required.
Who May Need Legionella Support?
- Offices and commercial premises
- Schools and colleges
- Care homes and supported-living settings
- Landlords and managing agents
- Hotels and hospitality businesses
- Leisure and sports facilities
- Industrial and manufacturing premises
- Community buildings
- Retail and mixed-use developments
- Vacant or partially occupied buildings
How Our Legionella Service Works
1. Initial discussion
We discuss the type of premises, the water system, any previous assessment and the reason for your enquiry.2. Survey or document review
Depending on what is required, we arrange an assessment or review the recommendations contained in an existing report.3. Clear recommendations
You receive an explanation of the identified issues, the recommended control measures and any corrective work that may be needed.4. Remedial work
Our engineers can carry out agreed plumbing repairs, component replacement, system cleaning or other corrective measures.5. Ongoing control and maintenance
Where required, the relevant checks and maintenance tasks can be incorporated into a planned programme for the premises.What Does Legionella Compliance Involve?
Legionella compliance is not based on a single certificate or one-off water test. It involves understanding the water system, assessing foreseeable risks and putting proportionate measures in place to prevent or control exposure.
Depending on the building and the findings of the assessment, this may involve:
- Appointing a responsible person
- Maintaining an up-to-date risk assessment
- Preparing and following a written control scheme
- Monitoring water temperatures and system performance
- Flushing infrequently used outlets
- Cleaning and maintaining tanks, outlets and showerheads
- Removing redundant pipework
- Maintaining appropriate records
- Reviewing the controls when the building or water system changes
For many conventional hot and cold water systems, temperature is an important part of the control regime. HSE guidance generally refers to cold water being maintained below 20°C, hot water being stored at 60°C or above, and hot water reaching at least 50°C at outlets within one minute. The exact measures should be based on the system and its risk assessment.
This information provides a general overview and does not replace a site-specific Legionella risk assessment or competent health and safety advice.
Legionella Services in Preston and Across the North West
Based near Preston, Deakin’s provides Legionella compliance, remedial plumbing and commercial maintenance support throughout Lancashire and the surrounding North West.
Our engineers regularly work with commercial customers in areas including Preston, Leyland, Chorley, Bamber Bridge, Buckshaw Village, Wigan, Bolton and the surrounding towns.
For premises outside these areas, contact our team to discuss the location and scope of the work.
Why Choose Deakin’s?
- Local North West commercial engineers
- Risk assessment and remedial support
- Practical plumbing repairs and system alterations
- Planned commercial maintenance services
- Support for both simple and complex premises
- One point of contact for associated plumbing and heating work
- More than 30 years of experience as a family business
Legionella Compliance FAQs
Does every business need a Legionella risk assessment?
Employers and people responsible for premises must assess foreseeable Legionella risks and manage them appropriately. For a simple water system, an assessment may find that the risks are low and already being controlled. Larger, older or more complex systems may require more detailed measures.
How often should a Legionella risk assessment be completed?
There is not a universal annual or two-year interval that applies to every premises. The assessment should be reviewed periodically and when there are significant changes to the water system, occupancy, use of the building or existing control measures.
Is Legionella water testing always required?
No. Routine laboratory testing is not normally necessary for every enclosed hot and cold water system. Testing may be recommended where the risk assessment identifies a need, where the effectiveness of the controls is uncertain or where appropriate temperatures cannot be consistently maintained.
What are Legionella remedial works?
Remedial works are physical actions taken to address problems identified during an assessment or inspection. They can include removing dead legs, repairing tanks, modifying pipework, replacing components, cleaning and disinfecting a system or correcting water-temperature issues.
Can Deakin’s carry out work from another company’s report?
Yes. Where you already have a Legionella risk assessment or written schedule of recommended actions, Deakin’s can review the required plumbing and remedial work and provide an appropriate quotation.
What increases the risk of Legionella?
Factors can include stored or recirculated water, temperatures between 20°C and 45°C, infrequently used outlets, stagnant sections of pipework and the presence of rust, scale, sludge or other nutrients that support bacterial growth.
Do you provide ongoing Legionella maintenance?
Deakin’s can discuss ongoing inspection, monitoring and maintenance requirements as part of a wider commercial building-maintenance programme. The work required will depend on the water system and the findings of the risk assessment.