Reliable legionella testing and legionella management solutions for businesses. Protect your water systems with accurate analysis, ongoing monitoring, and expert support.
Industry leading food safety programme and HACCP compliance support that protects your brand and reputation.
In response to increasing legislation and heightened public awareness, CLS established its Legionella Management service in 1998, building on our expertise in both microbiological and chemical analysis. Over the years, this service has continued to evolve, ensuring that our methods meet the highest industry standards and regulatory requirements.
We are LCA registered for cleaning and disinfection of hot and cold water systems, providing clients with added assurance that all work is carried out safely, effectively, and in full compliance with best-practice guidelines.
CLS’s dedicated team of specialists liaises with our clients at every stage of the process, from risk to interpretation of results.
It is recommended that water holding tanks are disinfected biannually as a minimum and to include the following areas:
Water storage (CWS tanks)
Cooling towers
Condensers
Hot/Cold water systems
Calorifiers
To avoid contamination, bacterial proliferations and Legionella outbreaks, you must keep tanks along with their associated systems in good clean working order. Tanks with high levels of bacteria or a previous outbreak of Legionella are considered as high risk.
Problematic tanks require increased levels of monitoring by trained professionals who will take samples for analysis by an accredited laboratory.
New buildings or extensions which have had alterations to their pipe work and tanks should meet the requirements of BS 6700:2006; they must be flushed and sterilised.
Samples taken thereafter should be carried out by a trained Microbiologist and include Legionella samples, all analysis will be conducted by the INAB accredited testing laboratory Reg. No. 108T at CLS.
The problems that arise with cooling towers and water systems include:
Scale
Fouling
Corrosion
Bacterial growth
The above must be treated in line with standard industry guidelines, and analysis carried out to ensure the treatment has been successful. This will prevent heat loss if done correctly, saving our client any unnecessary cost.
Regulatory requirements specify that cooling towers need to be controlled, disinfected and cleaned biannually to halt the proliferation of Legionella, thus preventing an outbreak of Legionellosis.
Water storage tanks should be routinely sampled and analysis carried out to ensure that they are compliant with regulations; all records of analysis carried out are to be stored for a minimum of 5 years.
CLS carry out monitoring, maintenance and commissioning on all water storage units as part of our Legionella Management programme. These can be customised but typically involve:
Routine temperature checks
Disinfection of shower heads
Monthly inspections
As an approved code of practice towards the prevention and control of Legionellosis, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 have put in place guidelines to ensure employers meet their legal obligations. These guidelines include:
Record keeping
Identifying and assessing sources of risk
Preparing a scheme for preventing or controlling the risk
Implementing, managing and monitoring of precautions
Appointment of a responsible person
Public buildings
Retail/Food Processing
Water distribution pipes
Gyms
Canteens
Hotels
Office Blocks
Pipe & Tank Commissioning
County Councils / Group Schemes
Consultants
Hospitals
Schools
3rd Level Institutes
Primary Care
Crèches
Nursing homes
As part of a preventative maintenance and Legionella Management programme for any company or industry, due consideration must be given to water pipe networks to include pipe and tank sterilisation. Along with monitoring, this will help ensure the following risks are minimised:
Bacteria including Legionella, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Protozoa such as Giardia lamblia and several viruses.
Dirt and organic build-up, scaling, musty or sulphide odours, dust.
Insects, rodents, birds.
CLS provides a comprehensive service of monitoring and disinfection as part of its Legionella Management programme to ensure our clients’ water storage units and pipes are always in compliance with legislation and regulations.
Potable water (i.e. drinking water)
Food preparation
Process Water
Water used for washing hands
Water used for cleaning equipment
Water tanks
Cooling water & condensate
Spraying Systems
Nebulisers
Shower heads
Water reservoirs
Calorifiers
Stagnant areas in storage systems
AHU's
Humidifiers
As part of our Legionella Management solutions, water samples are taken before and after the procedure and are microbiologically tested in our INAB accredited testing laboratory Reg. No. 108T.
If the procedure has been a success there should be an acceptable reduction in TVC and elimination of Legionella, it should be pathogen-free and is now ready for use. A certification of completion is then issued.
