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Legionella Testing

Legionella Testing

  • What is Legionnaires’ disease?

    Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal illness caused by the legionella bacterium, which may be present in tepid water and is spread by inhalation of fine water droplets or spray.

  • Why do I need to monitor water temperature in my building?

    It’s important to monitor the water temperature in your building because tepid water is the environment at which Legionnaires’ disease is most likely to thrive. Water that is transported around a building can drop (or rise) to unsafe temperatures, risking the spread of bacteria. This is why your legionella risk assessment will often recommend that you monitor the water temperature in your building.

  • What does the HSE require me to do to monitor water temperature in my building?

    The HSE's ACOP L8 requires that a legionella risk assessment is carried out, and that the subsequent recommendations to control the risk are implemented. These usually include regular water temperature monitoring.

  • What are the required water temperatures for buildings?

    To prevent an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, the HSE’s ACOP L8 recommends that hot water in a building should be stored above 60°C and distributed above 50°C, and cold water distributed below 20°C.

  • Why is the MM2008 the best option for water temperature testing?

    HSE require hot water outlets to reach compliant temperature within 1 minute of running the water and two minutes for cold water outlets. The MM2008 has a built-in one and two minute timer which means you can easily mo.nitor the time and simultaneously read the temperature on the display

  • How do I operate the timer on the MM2008?

    Simply press the Timer 1 button to start the one minute timer or Timer 2 button to start the two minute timer.

  • Can I use the MM2008 thermometer without using the timer?

    Yes, the thermometer will operate normally without starting the timer.

  • What probes will I need for water temperature testing?

    You will need an immersion probe for running water (KM03), and a surface probe for pipe surface temperatures (KS07). Alternatively, choose one of our excellent dual probes which do both Immersion and surface temperatures (KS20-S, KS01-S, BSKS01-S, or KS16-S). For areas that are difficult to access - ie valves or pipes, or high-traffic areas, such as school corridors, we recommend the TCWALLPORT System. This incorporates the use of fine wire probes (KA01) and a compact temperature monitoring point known as the TCWALLPORT

  • Why is the KM08 Shower temperature Probe better for shower temperature measurement than a standard immersion probe?
  • How do I use the KM08 Shower Temperature Probe?

    Plug the probe into a K-type digital thermometer (we recommend our MM2008 waterproof model with built-in timer for H&C running times). Turn on the shower and hold the probe cup just below the showerhead ensuring the cup continuously overflows. Keep the cup in the water stream until the temperature settles or the desired temperature is reached.

  • Do I have to keep the shower running when using the KM08 probe?

    Yes. It is important that the water is continuously flowing into the cup whilst reading the temperature to ensure an accurate measurement is obtained.

  • When using the KM08 probe, can I fill the cup with water, remove the probe from the water stream and then take a temperature reading?

    No, you must hold the cup in the water stream whilst reading the temperature.

  • Do I have to stand in the shower to use the KM08 probe?

    The length of the probe stem means that in most cases you should be able to stand outside the shower cubicle. The angle of the cup together with the design of the probe handle means that water shouldn’t run down your arm when using the probe.

  • Do I need a waterproof thermometer to use the KM08 Shower Probe?

    Whilst it’s not essential, we would always recommend a waterproof thermometer for all water temperature testing work. TME’s MM2008 Legionella Thermometer is waterproof to IP68 and has built-in one and two minute timers for H/C running times.

  • What does ' Dual Surface/Immersion' mean?

    This probe is essentially for taking surface temperatures of solid objects, such as water pipes. However, the tip of the probe is fully waterproof which means it can also be immersed in water to take running and standing water temperatures.

  • Can I immerse a Dual Surface/Immersion probe in water?

    Yes, the TME range of dual surface and Immersion probes - such as the KS20-S, KS16-S, KS01-S are completely waterproof.

  • What does 'High-Speed' mean?

    The probe is designed to have a very fast response to temperature changes. In tests with the MM2008 Legionella Thermometer, the probe was immersed in water at 50 degreesC and the temperature reading stabilised in less than ten seconds.

  • How do I use the KS20-S to take surface temperature of a water pipe?

    First, remove the protective cap and plug the probe into your thermometer. Ensure the thermometer is set to 'K'- type thermocouple. Ensure the pipe surface is smooth and free of dirt or debris. Using only minimal pressure, hold the tip of the probe squarely against the surface. Avoid moving or rotating the probe whilst in contact with the surface and do not apply pressure or force as this may damage the sensor. Record temperature when the reading has stabilised.

  • How do I use the KS20-S to take temperature of running water at a tap?

    Connect the probe to your thermometer as above. Place the end of the probe into the water stream ensuring the water is flowing directly onto the red area at the tip. You will need to hold the probe at a shallow angle to achieve this. Record temperature when reading has stabilised.

  • I currently use different probes for surface and immersion temperature. Is a Dual probe better?

    The main advantage of a Dual probe is that you only need carry one probe and it saves having to keep swapping from one to the other when doing both surface and immersion temperatures.

  • What is the life expectancy of the KS20-S?

    Longevity will depend on a number of factors including frequency of use, environmental conditions and correct application (see 'How do I use the KS20-S to take surface temperature of a water pipe?').

  • Can I use the KS20-S to take temperature of running water in a shower?

    Whilst the KS20-S is completely waterproof, we would recommend our KM08 Shower Probe which has been specially designed to overcome the problem of temperature loss when taking shower temperatures.

  • Which TME thermometers are compatible with the KS20-S?

    All of our Thermocouple Thermometers are compatible with the KS20-S. These include the MM2000, MM2010, MM2020, MM2030 Simulator, MM2008 Legionella Thermometer and The MM7000 & 7100 range of Barcode Thermometers.

  • Can I immerse this probe in water?

    Yes, the KS20-S is completely waterproof.