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Posted By John Malone
I have heard from various sources that in a control strategy for Legionella in building hot water systems, one of the key problem areas is showers. Showers that are only occasionally used have to be flushed out regularly, and shower heads have to be sanitised. See HSE ACOP L8.
However, I wonder would using electric showers eliminate the need for such precautions? With instant heating electric showers, there is no storage of warm water, the inlet water is cold, and the usual design is such that when you are turning off the flow it turns cold, thus flushing the whole appliance with cold water. So do the guidelines about flushing and sanitising apply to electric showers?
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Posted By Descarte
You would still be required to disinfect the shower heads and even if cold water is flushed through the shower this will then be raised for room temperature for the duration of time till it is next used. So the risk would still prevail
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Posted By Smurfer
As an aside, does anyone know of any cases of persons getting Legionellosis from showers? I know in theory it could happen (warm water, aerosols) and i have no doubt that L. pneumophilia has been found in shower heads, but actually getting the disease?
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Posted By Jeff Manion
Water through instantous hot water heaters - mains fed - present low risk from legionella as the water is pre-chlorinated (assumed), the shower may build up scale on the head so this may need treating, so consider routine inspection etc.
As to flushing this is your choice (remember the water problems and lack of it ((could this be the reason why we lack water in the South East) too many draining, cleaning, chlorinating and flushing!!))
Jeff Manion. Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner.
CMIOSH, SpDipEM.
Registered with the CITB for the control of legionella.
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Posted By gham
Well
Standing water will sit in the shower head and it has to go somewhere when you turn the shower on.
As an aside, I have see +ve test results, albeit at low levels from car jetwash nozzels, theres a thought (I can't give any specific details so please don't ask)
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Posted By Adrian Watson
Yes Legionella sp, can colonise shower heads. This is why the shower heads need to be cleaned and descaled. However the risk of infection from these types of showers is extremely low. This is mainly due to the lack of time and nutrients, which prevents the Legionella from multiplying to sufficient numbers to pose a risk of infection.
The risk of infection from showers has occurred in the south of France and in the UK in locations where there are susceptible individuals. Eg. Nottingham hospital outbreak. However, as far as I’m aware none of these types of infections have been associated with instantaneous hot water heaters of direct heated showers.
Regards Adrian Watson
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