Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia with a mortality of 5-10%, which is due to the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. It is spread by inhalation of water droplets containing the bacterium. Legionella lives in water and grows under suitable conditions (stagnant water in artificial water systems with temperatures of 20 ° C to 50 ° C). According to national regulation “Quality of water for human consumption” in compliance with the provisions of Directive (EU) 98/83 as amended by Directive (EU) 2015/1787 (L260,7.10.2015) has been institutionalized limit for Legionella species <1000cfu / L for water circulating inside the water supply network of hospitals, clinics, health centers, nursing homes, tourist facilities, hotels, prisons, and camps.

Monitoring for Legionella in water and compliance with the sampling frequencies referred to in Part B of this regulation is mandatory. Qlab is accredited to two international standards for the measurement of Legionella bacteria: Classic microbiological protocol (ISO 11731: 2017) in scheduled follow-up sampling [result in 10-14 days] and Molecular protocol (ISO 12869: 2012) in progress [result in 4 hours].

Qlab has been accredited for proper sampling with a certified sampler according to the international standard ISO 19458: 2006. Provide advice on the implementation of preventive and corrective measures for results exceeding legal limits. In agreement with the customer, a HACCP study is performed to evaluate the risk of developing Legionella, which includes : Check the plant for bacterial growth-friendly conditions, record the plant’s operating routine and identify related hazards, record existing disinfection methods, identify high-risk points in the water flow network, identify risks in the event of network contamination and appropriate microbiological control points of temperature recording points.