{"id":87479,"date":"2024-06-25T01:16:38","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T23:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/legionella-no-1-in-legionella-control\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T23:22:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T22:22:24","slug":"legionella-no-1-in-legionella-control","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/en\/legionella-no-1-in-legionella-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Legionella &#8211; No. 1 in Legionella Control"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>It is mandatory to perform Legionella control (Legionella, Legionella pneumophila) in any facility or organization that uses water or generates aerosols. At Gimasur, we specialize in <strong>conducting a personalized study of risk facilities following the guidelines of Royal Decree 487\/2022,<\/strong> of June 21, which establishes the sanitary requirements for the prevention and <strong>control of legionellosis.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>Not everyone contracts this disease; according to studies, several factors can favor its development. Some of these factors are:<br \/>&#8211; The majority of registered cases are in people over 60 years old.<br \/>&#8211; The incidence among males is much higher than among females.<br \/>&#8211; Alcohol and tobacco consumption promotes it.<br \/>&#8211; Previous respiratory diseases.<br \/>&#8211; People suffering from other types of diseases such as cancer or diabetes, among others. <\/p>\n<h2>Legionella Control <\/h2>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/en\/what-is-legionella-how-to-eliminate-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Legionella<\/a> treatment process is divided into the following fundamental steps:<\/p>\n<h3>Control:<\/h3>\n<p>We develop a specific maintenance or self-control program for each type of installation, considering the identified risk level and possible deviations detected. This program includes a list of corrective measures to be implemented in each scenario. <\/p>\n<h3>Disinfection Procedure:<\/h3>\n<p>We carry out regular and\/or intensive cleaning and disinfection procedures. Gimasur personnel have completed the mandatory approved courses (according to Order SCO\/317\/2003) to be able to issue the corresponding certificates after carrying out the cleaning and disinfection treatments. <\/p>\n<h3>Legionella Sample Collection and Analysis:<\/h3>\n<p>We begin with the collection and analysis of Legionella samples in our certified laboratory. This step is fundamental to ensure water quality. <\/p>\n<h3>Equipment Installation and Maintenance:<\/h3>\n<p>Our team is responsible for the installation and maintenance of <b>biocide<\/b> dosing equipment, maintenance products such as corrosion and scale inhibitors, automatic purge systems, chlorine and pH regulators, among others. <\/p>\n<p>The image shows an example of Legionella treatment at the Alhambra, Granada.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-84620\" title=\"Legionella control at the Alhambra\" src=\"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/control-de-legionella-en-Granada-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Legionella control at the Alhambra\" width=\"389\" height=\"219\"><\/p>\n<h3>Personalized Training:<\/h3>\n<p>If necessary, we provide training for personnel in charge of facility maintenance. We want them to perform maintenance operations correctly and record them properly in the corresponding Log Book. Additionally, we create a personalized log book for risk facilities, following all current regulations.   <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What does the Legionella prevention and control service at Gimasur consist of?<\/h2>\n<p>To comply with the hygienic-sanitary obligations for the prevention and control of Legionella, as outlined in <a href=\"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/en\/royal-decree-487-2022-regulations-on-legionella\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal Decree 487\/2022<\/a>, Gimasur provides the following services to our clients: <\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>CLEANING AND DISINFECTION of risk facilities<\/strong>, with their corresponding <strong>Sanitary Certificate<\/strong> and a <strong>Photographic Dossier<\/strong> of these actions. Because we <strong>do<\/strong> thoroughly clean tanks and accumulators. <\/li>\n<li>Laboratory analysis, accredited by ENAC or certified by ISO 9001, of water samples for the <strong>analytical determination of the presence\/absence of Legionella<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Development, implementation, and maintenance of a Legionella Prevention and Control Plan<\/strong> <strong>(PPCL)<\/strong> or a <strong>Legionella Sanitary Plan (PSL)<\/strong>, as established by Royal Decree 487\/2022. It describes in detail all the facilities and responsibilities subject to the Program, specifying all tasks to be performed, including reviews, analytics, cleaning, and disinfections. For each of these, it specifies: frequencies, methods and procedures, and those responsible for each task. It includes a plan or hydraulic scheme of the installation indicating the sampling points and the different representative points.   <\/li>\n<li>Analysis of the installation&#8217;s situation, through the preparation of a <strong>Facility Diagnosis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preparation and Advice for the implementation<\/strong> of the <strong>Registry Book<\/strong>, as established by the applicable regulations for each installation.<\/li>\n<li>Accompaniment and\/or Advice during <strong>Inspections<\/strong> by the Health Authority. We also offer a <strong>24\/7\/365 alert service<\/strong> for resolving any incidents and providing relevant advice. <\/li>\n<li>Along with the documentation, we deliver the appropriate <strong>accreditations<\/strong> through a Dossier that includes: operator licenses, safety data sheets for the products used, and the registration certificate in the Official Registry of Biocidal Establishments and Services of Andalusia (ROESBA 0809-AND-450).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-84621\" src=\"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/tratamiento-de-legionella-en-la-Alhambra-169x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"278\" height=\"493\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h2>Legionella treatment: Stages for legionellosis prevention<\/h2>\n<p>To prevent the spread of the legionella bacteria, it is essential to carry out control by trained professionals. This control is divided into three stages:  <\/p>\n<h3>Stage 1: Entry point<\/h3>\n<p>This first stage consists of controlling the quality of water entering the facility and verifying that the water has an adequate concentration of chlorine to ensure its microbiological quality.<\/p>\n<h3>Stage 2: Inside the facility<\/h3>\n<p>It is important to prevent the proliferation of the <b>Legionella<\/b> bacteria within the facilities to maintain a safe and healthy environment. To achieve this, specific preventive measures must be implemented. <\/p>\n<p>At Gimasur, we are responsible for carrying out rigorous monitoring to <b>prevent and control<\/b> the conditions that promote the proliferation of this bacteria, such as <strong>temperature<\/strong> (With a range between 25 and 45\u00baC. Higher between 35 and 37\u00baC) and the presence of <strong>water stagnation<\/strong> (with little circulation), presence of <strong>nutrients, bacteria or algae<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most effective measures is to carry out rigorous <b>cleaning and disinfection<\/b> of water systems susceptible to harboring Legionella. Disinfection is performed through hyperchlorination. <\/p>\n<h3>Stage 3: Aerosolization<\/h3>\n<p>In this phase, the aim is to <b>avoid or reduce<\/b> the generation of aerosols, a fundamental process in the transmission of legionellosis. To achieve this, actions such as controlling the location of cooling towers or increasing the size of aerosol droplets released into the environment can be implemented. <\/p>\n<p>To regulate these preventive measures, <b>RD 487\/2022<\/b> has been established, which sets the hygienic-sanitary criteria for the prevention and control of legionellosis.<\/p>\n<p>This disease can trigger illnesses such as Legionnaires&#8217; disease, which is a type of severe lung infection that causes cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. And Pontiac fever, which is milder than pneumonia (like flu), but should still be treated by a doctor.  <\/p>\n<h2>How legionellosis is transmitted<\/h2>\n<p>Legionellosis is a disease that is transmitted through the respiratory tract, mainly by inhaling aerosols or aspirating water contaminated with the <b>Legionella<\/b> bacteria.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, it is contracted when breathing in microparticles of water contaminated by Legionella bacteria. Water aerosolization occurs through the small droplets created when water is sprayed or when bubbles are formed in water, such as in whirlpool baths. Therefore, the smaller the droplets, the more easily they can access the respiratory tract.  <\/p>\n<p>If this sprayed water is contaminated by Legionella, the disease will develop. The risk of contracting legionellosis varies depending on the amount of Legionella bacteria concentrated in the sprayed water and the person&#8217;s exposure time to this water. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-84623 size-medium\" title=\"legionella bacteria\" src=\"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/legionella-bacteria-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"legionella bacteria\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gimasur.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/legionella-bacteria-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gimasur.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/legionella-bacteria.jpg 409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Associated Facilities:<\/h3>\n<p>Facilities with a likelihood of Legionella proliferation are:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Cooling towers and Evaporative condensers.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Hot Water Systems (HWS) with accumulator and return circuit. Accumulators, network, and terminals (faucets and showers). <\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Climatized Water Systems with constant agitation and recirculation through high-velocity jets or air injection (Spas, Jacuzzis, Whirlpool baths, etc.).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Industrial humidification systems.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Cold Water Supply (CWS) interior installation systems: Tanks, cisterns, reservoirs, network, and terminals (faucets and showers).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Hot water systems (HWS) without return circuit: such as Hot water heaters.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Ornamental Fountains.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Urban sprinkler irrigation systems: sprinklers and micro-sprinklers in gardens, grass fields, golf courses, etc.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Fire Protection Water System (FPS): Fire protection tanks, equipped fire hydrants (BIEs), and Sprinklers.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Outdoor aerosolization cooling elements: such as diffusers used in terraces and fairs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Any other device that accumulates water and can produce aerosols, such as Dental Clinic chairs, water sweepers, etc.<\/p>\n<h2>How to prevent Legionella?<\/h2>\n<p>To prevent Legionella from affecting our facilities, we must carry out the following measures:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; All installations must have a particle filter according to the Technical Building Code (CTE) after the meter.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Each water system must have a check valve, according to the UNE-EN 1717 standard, which prevents water returns due to pressure loss or decrease in the supplied flow, and especially when necessary to avoid mixing water from different circuits, qualities or uses.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; In cold sanitary water (AFS), the adequate concentration of free residual chlorine (FRC) and pH should be frequently controlled, ensuring water of microbiological quality, between 0.2-1.0 ppm of FRC and recommending a pH &lt; 7.5. In hot water circuits (ACS), its temperature should be above 50\u00baC in the network to prevent its proliferation and multiplication, and 60\u00baC in Accumulators and Water Heaters. <\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Performing purges in water circuits, so that water is renewed weekly after its discharge. Eliminating dead ends of pipes. <\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Avoiding or reducing water aerosolization and exposure, by shielding installations (such as fountains, irrigation systems or cooling towers away from people), trying to make water droplets larger, watering at night hours without the presence of people, etc.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; At least annually, cleaning and disinfection of the installation should be carried out by authorized companies such as Gimasur with ROESBA 0809-AND-450. <\/p>\n<p>Our technicians are highly trained and have received the necessary training in approved courses in accordance with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boe.es\/buscar\/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2003-3501\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Order SCO\/317\/2003<\/a> (Regulations related to the prevention and control of legionellosis, dangerous substances and preparations, water for human consumption).<\/p>\n<h3>Experience and professionalism<\/h3>\n<p>Our team has <b>extensive experience<\/b> in carrying out all necessary treatments, ensuring optimal results for our clients. In addition, our cutting-edge <b>technical resources<\/b> allow us to offer the best results in the prevention and control of legionellosis. <\/p>\n<h3>Analytical controls<\/h3>\n<p>The fundamental analytical controls are carried out by highly trained technicians in our own laboratory, which is <strong>approved by the Junta de Andaluc\u00eda<\/strong> for this type of analysis. We guarantee precision and reliability in every report. <\/p>\n<h2>Contact us for Legionella control!<\/h2>\n<p>At Gimasur, we are here to help you with Legionella control in your business. Get in touch with us and tell us everything, through our phone number: <b>958074444<\/b> in Granada.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns big\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide columna-home\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<ol><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is mandatory to perform Legionella control (Legionella, Legionella pneumophila) in any facility or organization that uses water or generates aerosols. At Gimasur, we specialize in conducting a personalized study of risk facilities following the guidelines of Royal Decree 487\/2022, of June 21, which establishes the sanitary requirements for the prevention and control of legionellosis. 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