Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal
form of pneumonia which can affect anybody, but which principally
affects those who are susceptible because of age, illness,
immunosuppression, smoking etc. The
Health Protection Agency (HPA) website gives more
information about this illness.
Over recent years there have been a number of
outbreaks of legionnaires' disease associated with wet cooling
systems (cooling towers and evaporative condensers), which have
often resulted in serious cases of infection and fatalities in a
number of cases.
It has frequently been found that poor
maintenance of wet cooling systems gives rise to the conditions in
which outbreaks can and do occur.
Other sources of legionnaires' disease can
include:
- Water systems in accommodation e.g. care homes and hotels;
- Spa Baths;
- Hot and cold water systems (work and domestic systems).
Please note, this list is not exhaustive.
Legal requirements
Requirement to register cooling towers and evaporative
condensers
The
Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers
Regulations 1992 (OPSI website)
require those in control of premises with wet cooling systems
(cooling towers and evaporative condensers) to register them with
their local authority and to notify any subsequent changes,
including when plant ceases to be in operation.
The main purpose of this notification process is to
identify where potential sources of risk are located and allow for
easier identification, monitoring and inspection by the enforcing
authorities.
Whilst the task of maintaining records of wet cooling systems
rests with local authorities, responsibility for enforcement of
standards of assessment and control is split between the
HSE and the
local authorities.
Click here to register a cooling
tower or evaporative condenser.
Click here to tell us about a
change to any existing cooling towers or evaporative condensers on
your premises.
Maintenance of cooling towers and evaporative
condensers
Business with cooling towers and evaporative condensers on their
premises are required to maintain the equipment. Detailed
information on the control of legionnaires' disease can be found
in:
For more information about Legionnaires' disease and its control
go to the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) web pages.
Maintenance of other systems that could result in a risk
of Legionnaires' Disease
Businesses who carry out other activities which could result in
a risk of Legionnaires' Disease to staff or members of the public
are required to carry out a risk assessment and put in place
suitable control measures.
The following guidance documents may assist you in putting in
place suitable control measures:
For more information about Legionnaires' disease and its control
go to the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) web pages.
Contact us
Public Health Team
Environment & Regulatory Services
Tamworth Borough Council
Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
B79 7BZ
Telephone: 01827 709445
Email: envhealthadmin@tamworth.gov.uk
This page was last updated 4 August 2010