Martin We flush out showers weekly if they are not in frequent use (day centres, care homes etc). Without getting too technical there would be no need for RPE as a weekly flush will not give legionella time to develop. Advice we were given was if a shower has not been flushed out for a while would be to set water at hot and run for a few minutes through a towel / cloth - this would flush showerhead and any legionella spores would be killed off by hot water - the towel would minimise the risk of airborne legionella spores. This is good practice if returning home after a fortnights holiday or going into hotel / apartments where shower may not have been run for a while. The risk of contracting legionella from a shower is relatively low but taking the simple precaution outlined above can obviously reduce the risk. FH

Hi Martin I am a director of a legionella consultancy and risk assessment company and can confirm that FH has provided good advise. Although in addition, showers should be flushed weekly regardless of percieved usage and ideally, the shower hose & head should be left hanging when not in use to drain stagnant water from the hose. The shower hose itself can harbour bacteria due to the materials of construction, which will multiply once the water becomes stagnant. The risk of legionella proliferation within showers is due to little use, stagnation and mixed water temperatures typically 41C. Thermal disinfection can kill the bacteria if carried out correctly and the shower mixing valve is not thermastatically controlled (preventing the temperature to rise to 60C or above), but this will not remove the biofilm, which will remain and allow the bacteria to return again once the conditions are right. I would recommend you renew the shower head and hose instead if the regular usage or flushing has been interupted for several weeks. Assuming you have a current risk assessment in place and adequate control measures, if you bear this, and the advise given by FH above in mind, there should be no need for RPE. Dave