Risk analysis & management plan

In 1999 an outbreak of legionella occurred after the Westfriese Flora (Holland Flowers Festival) in Bovenkarspel, The Netherlands. For the first time in history The Netherlands were confronted with the effects of an outbreak at such a large scale.

To prevent reoccurrence of such situations in the future the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) issued the “Tijdelijke Regeling Legionellapreventie in Leidingwater” in October 2000. Since October 18th 2004 this temporary measure has been replaced by a Royal Decree (Algemene Maatregel van Bestuur) the core of which is formed by instructions with respect to compiling a risk-analysis and management-plan as well as keeping logs.

Risk-analysis
While drafting up a risk-analysis checks are made to determine if, and if yes to what extend, there is a chance of Legionella developing in the system. There are two types of risk-analyses: the limited one and the extended.

The choice for either type of analysis is determined by the presence of taps where breathable aerosols are released, such as showers or other points where water is sprayed or fogged. In case such points are present an extended risk-analysis will be required. For those installations without such taps a limited risk-analyse will suffice. However, it is recommended to sample periodically to keep a complete picture.

There are four factors that can be distinguished that contribute to the multiplication of the legionella bacterium.

1. A water temperature between 25 and 50 Celcius
2. Quantities of stagnant water in the system
3. A high retention time of the water in the system
4. Presence of sediments in the system

Management-plan
Using the outcome of the risk-analysis a management plan will be drawn up. The management-plan will describe the periodical measures that need to be taken such as the flushing of the tubes with water of over 60 degrees Celcius. A log needs to be kept recording this type of measures for the responsible authorities.

These responsibilities are applicable for the owners of the below mentioned collective sanitary installations:
• Hospital facilities and comparable institutions
• Buildings with a lodging / housing function
• Crisis centres for refugees / asylum centres
• Buildings with a prison function
• Bathing establishments
• Campsites
• Marinas / yacht-basins

BioLab can take care of this process for you in a professional manner in order to ensure urgent and complete compliance with legal requirements in this field. Everything from performing a risk-analysis to drawing up and maintaining a management-plan, there are various options.