Legionella Compliance 2026: What Facilities Managers Should Do Now
Why This Matters
Water is something every commercial building depends on, but it can also present hidden risks if it is not managed correctly.
The Health and Safety Executive reminds employers and those responsible for premises that they have a legal duty to assess and control the risk of Legionella bacteria in water systems. These risks can exist in hot and cold water systems, cooling systems and other installations that generate water droplets.
Recent attention following reported Legionella investigations has highlighted why organisations should never assume their water management arrangements are sufficient simply because no issues have occurred.
For facilities managers, this is an opportunity to review systems before small issues become major problems.
Why This Matters for Facilities Management
Water safety affects almost every building.
It is relevant to:
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Commercial offices
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Healthcare facilities
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Schools and colleges
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Hotels
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Leisure facilities
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Manufacturing sites
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Warehouses
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Retail premises
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Public sector buildings
Facilities management teams often coordinate the maintenance, monitoring and contractor management needed to keep water systems safe.
Key responsibilities include:
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Maintaining up-to-date Legionella risk assessments
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Monitoring water temperatures
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Managing infrequently used outlets
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Ensuring routine inspections take place
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Keeping accurate maintenance records
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Working with competent specialist contractors
The HSE makes clear that organisations must not simply carry out a risk assessment once and forget about it. Risks should be reviewed whenever systems or building use change.
What Different Organisations Should Review
SMEs
Check whether your building has an up-to-date Legionella risk assessment and understand who is responsible for ongoing monitoring.
Medium Businesses
Review contractor arrangements, maintenance records and responsibilities across multiple premises.
Large Organisations
Ensure consistent water safety management across all sites and maintain clear audit trails.
Public Sector Organisations
Review estates management processes, contractor competence and compliance documentation.
Contractors
Ensure engineers and subcontractors understand their responsibilities and maintain accurate service records.
Practical Actions to Take Now
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Review your current Legionella risk assessment.
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Confirm who is the designated responsible person.
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Check that monitoring schedules are being followed.
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Review records for temperature checks and flushing routines.
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Ensure little-used outlets are managed correctly.
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Verify contractor competence and documentation.
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Include water safety checks within mobilisation plans for new contracts.
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Keep water safety under regular review rather than treating it as a one-off exercise.
Where TPMG FM Fits In
Effective facilities management is about preventing problems before they occur.
TPMG FM supports organisations through:
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Facilities Management
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Commercial Cleaning Services
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Security Services
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Front of House & Concierge
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Catering Services
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Waste & Recycling Services
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Commercial Landscaping
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Mobilisation Support
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Compliance-focused operational management
By taking a proactive approach to maintenance, compliance and contractor coordination, organisations can reduce risk while creating safer environments for employees, visitors and customers. Water safety often goes unnoticed when everything is working properly. That is exactly how it should be. Regular reviews, competent maintenance and good record keeping remain the strongest defence against avoidable risks and help organisations demonstrate responsible facilities management.
