Ensuring Water Safety and Hygiene
Whether you manage Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) or academic spaces, maintaining high standards of water hygiene is crucial. Neglecting water treatment can lead to serious health risks, including the spread of diseases like Legionnaire’s. At PfP Students, our water treatment specialists offer comprehensive water risk assessments tailored to your specific needs.
Legionella requirements in the UK
Legionella bacteria is naturally occurring, but it can pose a serious health risk if not managed effectively. The bacteria can grow at a rapid rate in water systems and may lead to Legionnaire’s disease in people inhaling water droplets, potentially causing a severe form of pneumonia. Complying with UK legionella requirements is a legal and ethical requirement for employers, landlords, property managers and those with health and safety responsibilities for others.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide an approved code of practice and guidance on controlling legionella bacteria.
What’s involved in water and Legionella risk management for academic spaces?
Effective water risk management is essential for safeguarding students, staff, and visitors across academic estates and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). These environments are often particularly complex, frequently containing multiple buildings, various kinds of pipework, shared facilities, and varying patterns of water use that can increase the risk of growth for legionella and other waterborne bacteria.
As specialists in the challenges involved with academic estates and student accommodation, PfP Students have developed comprehensive water risk assessments and treatment plans as part of our full facilities management (FM) services. Working with trusted sub-contractors, our water and legionella risk assessments usually include
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Site surveys: A full inspection of your water systems, from storage tanks to taps, showers, and outlets commonly found in PBSA and other types of campus facilities.
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System mapping: Identifying high-risk areas such as infrequently used outlets, redundant pipes, shared bathrooms, gyms, and catering facilities.
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Temperature monitoring: Checking hot and cold-water systems to ensure compliance with safe operating ranges.
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Asset condition checks: Assessing the state of pipework, tanks, and fixtures to highlight risks specific to older academic buildings or newly commissioned PBSA.
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Review of Management Processes: Evaluating record-keeping, maintenance schedules, and flushing regimes in line with best practice guidance.
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Action Plan Development: Providing practical, prioritised recommendations for improvements and ongoing monitoring.
By addressing these factors, we ensure your academic estate or PBSA is not only compliant but also safeguarded against preventable risks.
Key benefits of academic estate and PBSA water risk assessments
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Customised Recommendations: Our experts recommend water treatments specific to PBSA and academic spaces, saving you money on unnecessary services.
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Clear Risk Assessments: We provide straightforward explanations of your responsibilities, even in complex areas related to student accommodation and educational facilities.
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Expert Feedback: Experienced risk assessors offer actionable insights that are easy to understand and implement.
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Safety First: Protect students, staff, and visitors from waterborne diseases, particularly Legionnaire’s Disease.
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Preserving Reputation: We equip you with the information needed to prevent disease spread and maintain a positive image.
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Legal Compliance: Ensure adherence to Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) regarding water treatment in educational settings.
Why partner with PfP Students to help manage your HE buildings and student accommodation legionella risk?
Water risk assessments are not a standalone service. They are part of the wider support PfP Students provide: Incorporating water risk assessments and water treatment services when required, our full Student Property Management service is specifically tailored to PBSA and academic environments. We offer Hard Services, Soft Services, or a combined solution for Total Facilities Management that is purpose- designed for academic spaces.
By choosing PfP Students, you partner with a specialist who understands that accommodation and academic facilities are Communities, where safety, wellbeing, and experience come first.