Legionnaires Disease Shower Temperature

To keep water outside the range for legionella growth it is important to keep cold water cold and keep hot water hot.

Legionnaires disease shower temperature.

Remains at a temperature of less than 20 c eg if necessary site storage tank in a cool place and provide insulation check temperature at ball valve outlet every six months and record any findings the most convenient place to measure is usually at the ball valve outlet to the cold water storage tank. The bacteria are dormant below 20 c and do not survive above 60 c. Useful to consider maximum temperatures recorded by fixed max min thermometer this table. Extracted from an article published on mailonline website on 13 july 2019.

Doctor who runs his shower for 20 minutes every time he comes back from holiday says this habit could save you from life threatening legionnaires disease. Legionella grows best within a certain temperature range 77 f 108 f. In warm climates water in pipes that carry cold water may reach a temperature that allows legionella to grow. Hence it is recommended that the water heater be set at a temperature of 140 f.

Learn more about ukas laboratory legionella testing. When state regulations or codes do not allow hot water temperatures above the range of 105 f 120 f 40 6 c 49 c for hospitals or 95 f 110 f 35 c 43 3 c for nursing care facilities or when buildings cannot be retrofitted for thermostatic mixing valves follow either of these alternative preventive measures to minimize the growth of legionella in water systems. A note about cold water. A minimum temperature of 140 f is required at which legionellae dies in 32 minutes.

Flush showers which are not regularly used to prevent cases of the potentially deadly legionnaires disease. Bacteria is dormant at temperatures below 20 c but can still survive. The bacteria multiply where temperatures are between 20 45 c and nutrients are available. If your property has a combi boiler the risk is a little lower as hot water isn t stored but heated up on demand but if you do have a hot water storage tank it s vital that the water is held at a temperature of more than 50 c to ensure that bacteria are killed.

Microbiologist dr tom makin runs his shower for. This build up can clog up the shower head cause small pools of stagnant water to form and. 5 ways to prevent legionella in your shower. The legionella disinfection range is 158 176 f.

To kill any organisms detach the shower head and run water at 60 c for a minimum of 2 minutes on a regular basis legionella bacteria breed at temperatures between 20 45 c. A water temperature of 120 f does not kill the legionella bacteria. How to check water temperatures. Legionnaires disease is a potentially.

For example temperatures under 50 c may increase the risk of legionnaires disease a form of pneumonia due to bacterial growth in the tank. Clean and disinfect the shower head regularly to prevent the build up of limescale minerals and other residue.