Preventative steps should begin before equipment is installed, and should be continued throughout the life of a hot water system in order avoid an outbreak of the infection. 

Sales director at Andrews Water Heaters, Dan Martindale, explained: “To minimise the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, hotels need to consider the best way to store and distribute hot water throughout the whole system at 60ºC or above so that legionella bacteria cannot survive.

“This starts from the specification of products and components at the design stage of a job. This could mean choosing water heaters with a built-in anti-legionella programme, or measures that increase turbulence to reduce thermal stacking. Tanks designed to prevent cooler ‘layers’ where legionella would be able to thrive should also be considered from the beginning of a project.

“Once a system is up and running, it is also important to put in place a programme for regular system checks and servicing. Here, Building Information Modelling (BIM) can play an important role. Hotel managers can access key information on the design of a system and all the components, to identify any underlying issues affecting water hygiene and address them during remedial and maintenance works.

“As we’ve seen with the recent case of Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel in Ludlow, failure to take preventative measures properly can have catastrophic results.

“The possible presence of Legionella bacteria in any part of the hot water system is not a risk that any hotel should take. By specifying the latest, robust materials with anti-legionella features, ensuring best system design, and committing to best maintenance practices, the hotel industry can protect its reputation and safeguard public health.”