Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all,
I’m after a definition on when an outlet becomes little used?
Back story, we are in control of a sheltered scheme complex with individual flats and communal areas. We flush void flats on a weekly basic. I have raised the question on why we do not flush flats where tenants are on holiday/ hospital for an extended period of time.
Barriers have been put up, no right to enter, etc.
My understanding this is creating a semi/permanent dead leg and requires flushing.
Would welcome some thoughts.
Many thanks,
Oliver.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not my thing at all, but flushing tenants taps while they are on holiday???
Assuming a standard 2 week type of holiday - it seems a bit excessive to go and flush the taps through.
When you go on your 2 week holiday, do you arrange for a neighbour to come in and flush your taps through in your own house?
No, thought not!!
NFCS!!
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Rank: Forum user
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We have some on very long holidays, believe it or not and long hospital stays.
Short duration I’m not over concerned.
Some are connected systems, I’m assuming that the semi/permanent dead leg would effect downstream.
I’m concerned for the rest of the system that maybe effected.
When I’m on holiday? Whilst one is away the butler manages the estate.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You're right to be concerned - the tenants are much more likely to be vulnerable to infection.
For the vast majority of the population, not a problem.
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Rank: Forum user
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Can I ask who is putting up the 'no right to enter' barriers? Is the tenants themselves, or management?
I would agree that you should be concerned if there are prolonged periods where outlets are not being used (eg month or more) and the pipework is connected to other parts of the water system.
Is there an opportunity for discussion with the objecting parties, to explain your concerns and agree circumstances under which it would be appropriate to enter the home to carry out the flushing regime?
If that's not possible, at the very least you should ensure that taps, showers etc are flushed before they are used when the person returns home. May be worth discussing this with whoever carries out your legionella risk assessment and take advice from them?
Sam
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Rank: Forum user
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JJ Prendergast wrote:Not my thing at all, but flushing tenants taps while they are on holiday???
Assuming a standard 2 week type of holiday - it seems a bit excessive to go and flush the taps through.
When you go on your 2 week holiday, do you arrange for a neighbour to come in and flush your taps through in your own house?
No, thought not!!
NFCS!! I hear exactly what you're saying but is there anything wrong in having a system for flushing the taps when you get back from your holiday or even go on holiday to a warmer country where the water may well be breeding bugs by million in the shower rose and pipework waiting for you to breathe in the moment you turn the shower on? I was told an easy way to avoid the airborne water droplets when flushing is to put a carrier bag over the rose, puncture a drain hole in the bag to allow the water to run freely. Turn on and stand well back. Of course other methods ar available. Women are allegedly less prone to legionellosis than men, (this may well lead to a sexist comment here). Blue
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
back in the days, I used to train people in the control of Legionella, and even though there isn't an official definition of when an outlet becomes little used, I used to use the assumption that if you are required to flush little used outlets every 7 days, then if an outlet isn't being used for 7 days it, by default, becomes a little used outlet?
As for entering other peoples living space, that's a different matter altogether! Unless you have wardens / home helps that have agreed access, then I think you have to rely on providing information and advice to the residents, BUT,,,, this has to be done carefully! Folks only hear about legionella when it kills people, so try and avoid the panic effect!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I agree with Holmezy on this but then this does raise other question such as, have you got a legionella regime in place and, has a water risk assessment been carried out for the building in its complexity? I say this wondering do you do temp checks? Are showerheads descaled? The water RA should have picked up on this scenario if this is a regular occurrence.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have just had a further thought on this and was thinking "wonder if the flats are deemed as domestic properties?" In which case domestic properties are not a requirement of L8. Just a thought?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Make sure you take a proportionate approach. For example, during these extended absences, is the hot water and heating still on? - if so someone is wasting a lot of cash. If not, the water temperatures should be below that where significant bacterial contamination is likely? Also, as jarsmith83 points out, don't try too hard to apply L8 to premises it's not designed to cover.
Even if heating is left on, 'backflow' of contaminated water into other parts of the system seems pretty unlikely to result in significant levels of harmful bacteria moving elsewhere, so you just need to worry about flushing before first use that could create an aerosol? I've no idea what happens for rarely used rooms in hotels, but for UK sector offshore installations, it is accepted good practice for the stewards to flush & clean shower heads before cabins are reoccupied after being empty for a while, in preference to continuing regular flushing while they are not in use.
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