How hot should water be to kill the legionella?

Legionella is a type ofbacteria that can grow in warm and stagnant water.Legionnaires disease can be fatal if they spread it.One of the most common ways to control the risk is through managing water temperatures.

Legionella is a type ofbacteria that can grow in warm and stagnant water.People who come into contact with the water can get Legionnaires' disease.A serious and sometimes fatal pneumonia can be caused by this infection.

There aren't many ways to kill Legionella.Managing water temperatures is one of the ways to control the risk.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by breathing in small droplets of water.We wrote a post about the symptoms of Legionnaires disease and how they can be fatal.

We can prevent the growth of Legionella in water systems through temperature control.It's avoiding danger temperatures.The temperatures allow the bacterium to thrive.

You need to make sure that the water is not too hot to live in.You don't have to boil them, but you need to get them above 60C.

If you were to have a 60C bath, you would burn.Did you ever forget to add cold water?Do you want to use a tap that's too hot to touch?If we can't use the water at that temperature, why would it be hot out the tap?

Sometimes the reason water is kept in systems at high temperatures is to kill off Legionella.It's possible that the water coming out the hot tap is too hot.

Water systems can be safe if they store water at a cooler temperature.The Legionellabacteria are not active.

It's important to remember that thebacteria aren't killed off when they're under 20C.

They are in a state of inactiveness.They are still present.They can become a threat again if the temperature goes up.Cold water needs to stay cold.

The temperatures within the water system can be as low as 20C.The safe temperatures are between 20 and 60C.

Below 20C, the Legionellabacteria are not active, and above 60 C, they are killed.

The water temperature is 20C - 45 C.The water at this temperature will encourage the growth ofbacteria.Fast.

If you put legionella on an agar plate for 7 - 10 days with a temperature range of 20 - 50 C, a colony will form of millions ofbacteria that you will be able to see.

Your water system needs to be designed and maintained to keep it safe.

Storage and distribution of cold water should be done below 20C.The water should be hot.The storage of hot water should be above 60C.

The distribution of hot water should be above 50C.Thermostatic mixer valves should be as close to the outlet as possible.This helps to keep water out of the system.

One way of controlling the risk of Legionnaires' disease is to avoid the danger water temperatures.This is the main control in most water systems.

There are other conditions that support growth.Like slow and stagnant water, the presence of sludge, scale, rust, algae and other organic matter acts as a food source.

You may not be able to avoid the danger temperatures in some water systems.

It is important to take appropriate action to control the risks of Legionella within your water systems.Especially in large buildings.

You can download a template to carry out a risk assessment.

The article was written by Emma.Emma has experience in health and safety and construction management.She is qualified in NEBOSH and Tech IOSH.

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