Deaths and serious illness resulting
from Legionnaires’ disease is still far
too prevalent, and is usually the
consequence of poor maintenance
regimes or complacency, says the
Heating and Ventilating
Contractors’Association (HVCA).

Blane Judd, chief executive, says:
“On average there are 300 reported
cases of Legionnaires’ disease each
year in the UK and when clusters of
cases occur they can typically be traced
back to poorly maintained cooling
tower systems, air conditioning plant
or hot and cold water systems in
factories, offices, hotels, hospitals and
other larger establishments.
“Building owners and occupiers
should be aware of, and comply
with, their legal obligations. These
are set out in a document, published
by the Health and Safety
Commission, called ‘Legionnaires’
disease – The control of legionella
bacteria in water systems’.