Legionella Risk Assessments for Commercial & Residential Properties

Professional Legionella risk assessments supporting legal compliance, effective risk control, and clear duty of care management.

What a Legionella Risk Assessment Is

A Legionella Risk Assessment (LRA) is a structured evaluation of water systems to identify conditions that could allow Legionella bacteria to grow and spread.

The assessment focuses on:

  • Identifying risk sources within the system

  • Evaluating how water is stored, distributed, and used

  • Determining whether existing control measures are adequate

The outcome is a documented assessment with prioritised actions that help duty holders manage risk in a controlled and proportionate way.

This is about effective risk management, not box-ticking.


Why Legionella Risk Assessments Are a Legal Requirement

UK health and safety legislation places a duty on those responsible for premises and water systems to assess and control Legionella risk.

This responsibility applies to:

  • Employers and business owners

  • Landlords and managing agents

  • Organisations with control over water systems

Where risks are not properly assessed and managed, organisations may face enforcement action, legal exposure, or operational disruption.

A suitable and sufficient Legionella Risk Assessment forms the foundation of compliant water safety management.


Properties That Require a Legionella Risk Assessment

A Legionella Risk Assessment is required for most properties with stored or distributed water, including:

  • Commercial buildings

  • Residential blocks and HMOs

  • Healthcare and education facilities

  • Hotels and leisure environments

  • Industrial and manufacturing sites

  • Any property with hot and cold water systems

If water is stored, heated, or circulated, the risk must be assessed.


What Our Legionella Risk Assessment Covers

Flowsafe Compliance assessments are structured, comprehensive, and site-specific.

Each assessment typically covers:

  • Full identification of water system assets

  • Hot and cold water services

  • Storage tanks and calorifiers

  • Showers and all relevant outlets

  • Pipework configuration, including dead legs and low-use sections

  • Temperature profiling across the system

The focus is on understanding how the system actually operates, not generic assumptions.

Our Assessment Methodology

  • Magnifying glass with a blue highlight on the glass lens.

    Site Inspection & System Review

    A competent assessor inspects the premises and reviews system layout and usage.

  • Icon of a checklist on a piece of paper.

    Asset Register Creation

    All relevant water system components are identified and recorded.

  • Thermometer displaying a high temperature.

    Temperature Checks & Observations

    Outlet and system temperatures are measured and recorded.

  • Risk Evaluation & Prioritisation

    Findings are assessed against guidance to determine level of risk.

  • Report Compilation & Review

    A clear written report is produced and reviewed for quality and clarity.

A person wearing blue gloves is filling a small plastic bottle labeled 'Legionella Sample' with water from a sink tap.

Standards & Guidance We Work To

Our Legionella Risk Assessments are carried out in alignment with recognised UK guidance, including:

  • ACoP L8

  • HSG 274

  • BS 8580-1

  • HTM 04-01 (where applicable)

We apply these standards proportionately, focusing on practical risk control rather than excessive or unnecessary recommendations.


Clear Actions, Not Confusion

Risk findings are prioritised to support decision-making.

Typically, this includes:

  • Clear identification of high, medium, and low-risk issues

  • Distinction between immediate actions and planned improvements

  • Practical guidance on what should be addressed first

This approach allows duty holders to allocate resources appropriately and demonstrate active risk management.


Audit-Ready Records

Each Legionella Risk Assessment includes:

  • A written Legionella Risk Assessment report

  • A detailed asset register

  • Photographic evidence supporting findings

  • Schematic drawings, where required

  • Clear, prioritised recommendations

  • Guidance on review dates and reassessment triggers

Documentation is designed to support audits, inspections, and internal reviews.

A person wearing red gloves uses a wrench to tighten a pipe fitting in a plumbing system with brass and plastic pipes.

Who This Service Is For

This service is commonly used by:

Property & Block Managers

overseeing shared systems

Duty Holders

meeting legal responsibilities

Business Owners

protecting staff and visitors

Health & Safety Managers

controlling risk and documentation

Facilities Managers

managing complex water systems

Landlords

fulfilling duty of care obligations

How to Arrange a Legionella Risk Assessment


Initial Enquiry

Contact us to discuss your property and systems.

1


Scope Confirmation

We confirm site details and assessment requirements.

2


Site Attendance

A competent assessor carries out the assessment on site.

3


Report Delivery

A quality-checked report is issued for your records.

4

Flowsafe Compliance delivers Legionella Risk Assessments through competent assessors, proportionate advice, and clear documentation.

Our focus is on practical risk control, regulatory alignment, and supporting ongoing compliance, giving duty holders confidence in how water safety is managed.