Legionella bacteria, how long should an infrequently used shower be run for.

[student plumber]

I do some cleaning and twice a week a shower gets a thorough cleaning.

But if it doesn't get used, I run both the hot and cold for a couple minutes each, just to make sure the pipes are flushed through and there's no standing water in either.

There are other water outlets nearby, showers, sinks and toilets.

It's just to make sure of the individual pipes going to this one shower, it comes from the same place as the others.

I just wanted to check is a couple minutes each enough.

 

[shorticus]

Legionnaires' disease. The control of legionella bacteria in water systems. Approved Code of Practice and guidance - L8

You can download this for free, I seem to remember part2 covers water managemnet

 

[billybongo]

We run safety showers for 20 mins i guess its the same for domestic .

 

[mrlennie]

As my college teacher said "Stop worrying about legionella!" ......ok

 

[Blackcatgas]

Apparently the Germans store thier water @ 45 deg as thats the temp thats needed, why heat water only to add cold water to it is thier argument .they dont seem to have any problems???

 

[dontknowitall]

I reckon the Germans not heating their water to 60 deg (45 deg won't take as long) is linked to getting their towels out on the beach earlier. Of course I might be wrong.