CREATES THE REPORT

THE RISK ASSESSMENT AND REPORT TEMPLATE

Legionella Risk Assessment Calculator

Protect Your Water System & Prevent Deadly Outbreaks

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe, potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Outbreaks are preventable but only if you proactively assess and manage your risks.

Did You Know?

  • Legionella thrives in warm water systems (20°C – 45°C).
  • Cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing systems are common breeding grounds.
  • 10% of cases are fatal so don’t wait for an outbreak to act.

✅ Take Control Now
Our free Legionella Risk Assessment Calculator helps you:
✔ Identify high-risk areas in your water systems
✔ Evaluate temperature, stagnation, and biofilm risks
✔ Prioritize corrective actions before it’s too late

⚠ Ignoring Legionella risks isn’t just dangerous as it’s costly. Fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage can cripple a business. Start your assessment now and stay compliant.

Use the Calculator Below to Assess Your Risk in Minutes!   

           

Legionella Risk Assessment Tool

Complete this form to assess the risk of Legionella in your property. A downloadable report will be generated.

Your Company Branding (Optional)

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Professional Branding

Add your company logo, details, and property photos to create professional branded reports. This section is optional but recommended for property management companies and consultants.

Supported formats: JPG, PNG for images. Logo will appear in header of PDF report. Company details will be included in report footer for professional presentation.
JPG or PNG format, max 2MB

1. Property Details

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Property Information

This section collects essential details about the property being assessed for Legionella risk. Accurate information is crucial for proper risk identification and regulatory compliance. Include complete address details and property characteristics.

The property description should include building age, approximate size, typical occupancy levels, and any known water system issues or previous Legionella incidents. This information helps establish baseline risk factors and determines assessment frequency requirements.
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Qualified Assessor Identification

Name of the competent person conducting the Legionella risk assessment. Under UK HSE guidance, assessors should have appropriate training and experience in water system risk assessment and Legionella control.

Include full name and any relevant professional credentials (e.g., Water Management Society certification). The assessor must understand water systems, Legionella biology, and applicable regulations to ensure accurate risk evaluation and appropriate control measures.
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Assessment Timing and Frequency
Date when the on-site assessment was conducted. Regular assessments are required by law:

• Annually for most commercial properties
• Every 6 months for high-risk facilities (healthcare, hotels)
• After significant water system modifications
• Following positive Legionella test results
• When control measures fail

Document any delays between scheduled and actual assessment dates for compliance records.
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Comprehensive Property Characteristics
Detailed description essential for accurate risk assessment including:

• Building age and construction type
• Number of floors and approximate size
• Typical occupancy patterns and vulnerable users
• Water system complexity (storage tanks, pumps, TMVs)
• Any known water quality issues or stagnation areas
• Recent plumbing modifications or maintenance
• Previous Legionella incidents or control failures

This information determines risk categorization and required control measures.
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Multiple Photo Upload

To include up to 5 images, select multiple images when clicking "Choose Files".

• Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) to select multiple files
• Or select all desired photos at once in the file dialog
• Each photo can have individual notes up to 200 characters
• Supported formats: JPG, PNG (max 2MB each)

Photos will appear in both the assessment preview and final PDF report.
Add photos of water systems, tanks, problem areas (up to 5 photos)
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Property Classification
Select the primary use of the property. Different types have varying risk levels:

House/Flat: Lower risk, mainly domestic use
Office: Medium risk, multiple users
Commercial: Higher risk due to complex systems
Healthcare/Hotel: Highest risk, vulnerable users

Property type affects assessment frequency and control requirements.

2. Room Inventory (max 20 rooms)

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Water Outlet Risk Assessment
Comprehensive documentation of all water-using fixtures is critical for Legionella risk evaluation:

Taps: Count all hot and cold outlets, note infrequently used ones
Showers: Higher risk due to aerosol generation, especially power showers
Appliances: Include all water-connected devices (washing machines, dishwashers)
Bidets: Similar aerosol risk to showers
Jacuzzi/Whirlpool: HIGHEST RISK - extensive aerosol generation, complex pipework, requires specialist maintenance

Focus on areas with spray-producing outlets first. Note any outlets used less than weekly as these create stagnation risks. Jacuzzi/Whirlpool systems require quarterly professional disinfection. Maximum 20 rooms for assessment manageability.
Room Name Hot
Taps
Cold
Taps
Shower Bidet Dish
washer
Washing
Machine
Action
Click to add a room
Maximum of 20 rooms reached. Remove some rooms to add more.
Click to Add a Room
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External Water Outlets Risk
External taps pose specific Legionella risks due to:

• Often left unused for extended periods creating stagnation
• Prone to freezing and pipe damage affecting system integrity
• May have stagnant water in pipe sections
• Frequently connected to hoses that retain water

Count all garden taps, hose connections, and external water access points. Include taps in garages, outbuildings, and maintenance areas. Regular flushing and winter drainage are essential controls.
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Total Outlet Count
This automatically calculates the total number of water outlets from the room inventory above.

Higher outlet counts generally increase legionella risk due to: • More potential stagnation points
• Increased maintenance requirements
• Greater chance of unused outlets

Regularly used outlets have lower risk than seldom-used ones.

3. Water System Details

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Water System Configuration Assessment
Critical section for evaluating Legionella risk potential through system characteristics:

Temperature measurements: Determine bacterial growth potential
System configuration: Affects stagnation and maintenance requirements
Maintenance history: Indicates control measure effectiveness
User vulnerability: Increases severity of potential exposure

Provide accurate measurements using calibrated thermometers for proper evaluation. Temperature control is the primary defense against Legionella proliferation.
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Hot Water Storage Temperature Control
Legionella bacteria multiply rapidly between 20-45°C. Hot water control requirements:

Storage temperature: 60°C or more continuously at cylinder/tank
Distribution: 50°C or more at all outlets within 1 minute
Measurement point: Water heater outlet or cylinder top
Method: After running water for 1 minute using calibrated thermometer

Temperatures less than 50°C allow Legionella survival and growth. More than 60°C provides reliable bacterial kill but increases scalding risk requiring TMVs.
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Distribution System Temperature Monitoring
Temperature at the most distant outlet from heat source indicates system effectiveness:

Target: 50°C or more within 1 minute of running tap
Indicates: Heat loss through distribution system
Reveals: Pipe insulation effectiveness and circulation adequacy
Identifies: Potential stagnation points and dead legs

If consistently less than 50°C, consider improved pipe insulation, circulation pumps, or increasing storage temperature. Measure after flushing for exactly 1 minute.
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Cold Water Temperature Control
Cold water must remain less than 20°C to prevent Legionella multiplication:

Target range: Less than 20°C throughout system
Growth risk: Above 20°C allows bacterial multiplication
Measurement: After running tap for 2 minutes at furthest outlet
Critical zone: 25-45°C provides optimal growth conditions

High cold water temperatures may indicate poor pipe insulation, routing near heat sources, storage tank problems, or cross-connections. Investigate and correct any temperatures consistently more than 20°C.
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Hot Water Storage System Assessment
Hot water storage tanks can promote Legionella growth if not properly managed:

Risk factors: Temperature below 60°C, infrequent use, poor maintenance
Tank types: Cylinders, calorifiers, thermal stores
Maintenance needs: Regular temperature monitoring, annual inspection
Alternative systems: Combi boilers typically have no storage tank

Answer 'Yes' if there is a separate hot water cylinder, tank, or storage vessel. Storage systems require more stringent control measures than instantaneous heating.
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Tank Insulation Requirements
Proper insulation is essential for maintaining safe water temperatures:

Benefits: Reduces heat loss, prevents temperature fluctuations
Energy efficiency: Reduces heating costs and system cycling
Safety factor: Maintains thermal stratification
Risk reduction: Prevents dangerous temperature drops

Uninsulated tanks can allow water temperatures to drop into the Legionella growth range. Modern building regulations require adequate tank insulation. Only applicable if there is a hot water storage tank.
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Cold Water Storage Assessment
Cold water tanks can harbor Legionella bacteria if not properly maintained:

Risk factors: Poor maintenance, debris accumulation, warm ingress
Common problems: Inadequate lids, contamination, temperature rise
Inspection needs: Annual cleaning, lid integrity, insulation check
Modern alternatives: Mains-fed pressurized systems

Includes header tanks, cisterns, break tanks, and other cold water storage vessels. Most modern properties use direct mains supply without storage tanks. Storage tanks require regular inspection and maintenance protocols.
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Water Stagnation Risk Assessment
Stagnant water significantly increases Legionella risk through bacterial proliferation:

Common locations: Dead legs, disused pipework, oversized pipes
Risk factors: Infrequently used outlets, poor circulation
Consequences: Biofilm development, reduced disinfectant effectiveness
Control measures: Weekly flushing minimum, pipe modifications

Identify all areas where water movement is restricted or outlets are rarely used. Stagnation allows bacteria to multiply and creates reservoirs for system contamination. Dead legs should be removed where possible or flushed regularly.
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Maintenance Program Requirements
Regular maintenance is essential for effective Legionella risk control:

Key activities: Temperature monitoring, cleaning, descaling
Frequency: Monthly temperature checks, annual tank inspections
Documentation: Maintenance logs, temperature records
Competency: Trained personnel understanding Legionella risks

Maintenance should include system cleaning, showerhead descaling, temperature verification, and tank inspections. More frequent maintenance required for high-risk systems and complex installations.
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Vulnerable Population Assessment
Certain groups face increased susceptibility to Legionnaires' disease:

Age factors: Over 50 years old (highest risk over 65)
Health conditions: Chronic lung disease, immunocompromised status
Lifestyle factors: Smokers, heavy drinkers
Medical conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, cancer treatment

Presence of vulnerable users increases risk severity requiring additional control measures, more frequent monitoring, and potentially lower action levels. Healthcare facilities and care homes have highest vulnerability levels.
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Occupancy Pattern Risk Assessment
Unoccupied properties present increased Legionella risks through multiple factors:

Water stagnation: No regular use allows bacterial growth
Temperature fluctuations: Systems may cool to growth temperatures
Reduced monitoring: Problems go undetected longer
Control breakdown: Automatic systems may fail unnoticed

Properties vacant for over one week require special protocols including weekly flushing regimes, temperature monitoring, or system drain-down. Holiday homes and seasonal properties need particular attention.
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System Integrity and Contamination Indicators
Leaks and odors can indicate conditions favorable to Legionella growth:

Water leaks: Create moisture for microbial growth, system pressure loss
Musty odors: May indicate biofilm or bacterial contamination
Metallic smells: Suggest pipe corrosion affecting water quality
Sewage odors: Indicate possible cross-contamination risks

All issues require prompt investigation as they may indicate conditions favorable to Legionella proliferation or system contamination. Repair leaks immediately and investigate all unusual odors thoroughly.
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Additional Assessment Information
Document any additional observations relevant to Legionella risk assessment:

System modifications: Recent plumbing changes or upgrades
Unusual features: Water features, cooling systems, humidifiers
Maintenance issues: Recurring problems or component failures
Access limitations: Areas that couldn't be fully assessed

Include any information that might affect risk levels or control measures. Note seasonal variations, planned improvements, or special circumstances that may impact future assessments or maintenance requirements.
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Why This Matters for Your Business

  • Legal Compliance:Health & safety regulations (OSHA, HSE, WHO) require Legionella risk assessments.
  • Financial Protection:A single outbreak can lead to millions in lawsuits and shutdowns.
  • Reputation Management:Customers and employees trust you to keep them safe.

Don’t gamble with safety so calculate your risk now.

 

Need help mitigating risks?  Start with our free Legionella risk assessment tool and Report generator here.

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