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Legionella Risk Assessment — L8 Compliant, Delivered in Minutes
A legionella risk assessment is a legal requirement under COSHH for any premises with water systems where legionella bacteria could grow and spread. Anyrisks produces a fully written, HSE L8-compliant assessment covering water storage, distribution systems, cooling towers and all control measures — ready to use instantly.
Used by landlords, facilities managers, hotel operators, healthcare providers and duty holders across the UK
💧 Cooling towers, spa pools or complex hot and cold water systems? Describe the system in detail and we will include L8-compliant control measures, temperature monitoring schedules, cleaning frequencies and dead leg identification.
Legal requirements for legionella risk assessments in the UK
Legionella risk assessments are required by law under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Regulation 6 states that employers and those in control of premises must assess the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria and implement control measures to prevent or minimise that risk. This applies to all non-domestic premises and residential rental properties where water is stored or distributed through pipework, showers, cooling systems or other sources of water droplets.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a general duty on employers and building owners to ensure the health and safety of employees, tenants, visitors and contractors. Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease — a potentially fatal pneumonia — and outbreaks have led to prosecution, unlimited fines and imprisonment. The duty holder must identify water systems, assess the risk, implement control measures and keep written records of the assessment and all monitoring activities.
The HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 (fifth edition, 2013) sets out detailed guidance on managing legionella risk. It requires written risk assessments, appointment of a responsible person, regular water temperature checks (hot water stored above 60°C, distributed above 50°C; cold water below 20°C), disinfection schedules, and identification of dead legs and infrequently used outlets. The L8 guidance is not law, but courts treat non-compliance as evidence of failure to meet the legal duty under COSHH.
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers must be notified to the local authority under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992. These systems are high-risk for legionella and require enhanced control measures including biocide dosing, quarterly deep cleans and routine microbiological testing. Every risk assessment must document these controls in detail.
How it works
1. Describe your water system
Tell us the building type (office, hotel, school, rental property), water storage details (tanks, calorifiers, header tanks), distribution system (showers, taps, cooling towers, humidifiers), and any dead legs or infrequently used outlets. The more detail you provide, the more specific your risk assessment will be.
2. We generate your assessment
Anyrisks produces a complete, HSE L8-compliant legionella risk assessment covering all identified risks, water temperature requirements, monitoring schedules, dead leg management, and recommended control measures. The assessment is written in full and ready to use immediately.
3. Download and implement
Download your legionella risk assessment as PDF and editable Word document. Implement the control measures, appoint a responsible person, and keep the document on file for HSE inspection. Review every two years or after system changes. £29, no subscription.
What your legionella risk assessment covers
Every legionella risk assessment is written in full, covering all water system risks and control measures required under HSE L8.
Hot and cold water storage tanks — risk of stagnation and biofilm
Water temperature monitoring — storage, distribution and outlet temperatures
Shower heads and taps — risk from aerosol generation
Dead legs and infrequently used outlets — flushing schedules
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers — notification and control measures
Calorifiers and header tanks — cleaning and inspection frequencies
TMV (thermostatic mixing valve) testing and maintenance
Spa pools and hydrotherapy baths — disinfection and turnover rates
Humidifiers and air conditioning systems — water quality monitoring
Biofilm and scale prevention — disinfection and descaling schedules
Responsible person appointment and training requirements
Record keeping and logbook requirements under L8
COSHH Regulation 6 compliance and legal duty holder responsibilities
Review frequency — two-yearly and after significant changes
Works for every building and water system type
From residential rental properties to complex industrial cooling systems, Anyrisks produces L8-compliant legionella risk assessments for all premises.
What customers say
"I manage 14 rental properties and needed legionella assessments for each one. Anyrisks gave me a fully written, L8-compliant assessment for every property in under an hour. Saved me hundreds of pounds in consultant fees."
Graham P.
Landlord, West Midlands
"Our facilities team needed a legionella assessment for a new office building with a cooling tower. Anyrisks covered the tower notification requirements, biocide dosing, and all the L8 monitoring schedules. Exactly what we needed for the HSE file."
Claire M.
Facilities Manager, Manchester
"We run a small hotel and the environmental health officer asked to see our legionella risk assessment during a routine inspection. Anyrisks had it done in 10 minutes — covered all the showers, taps, and our header tank. Passed the inspection without issue."
David S.
Hotel owner, North Wales
Anyrisks vs DIY templates and consultants
| Anyrisks | DIY / Consultants | |
|---|---|---|
| HSE L8 Approved Code of Practice compliant | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH Regulation 6 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Water temperature monitoring schedules included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cooling tower and evaporative condenser controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dead leg identification and flushing schedules | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Consultant: weeks |
| Cost | £29 | £200—£800+ |
Frequently asked questions
Who is legally required to carry out a legionella risk assessment?
Under Regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), any person with control of premises or water systems — landlords, employers, facilities managers, building owners — must conduct a legionella risk assessment. This applies to commercial premises, rented properties, schools, hospitals, hotels and any building where water is stored or distributed.
Does the legionella risk assessment need to be done by a specialist?
No — the HSE does not require a specialist to complete the assessment, but the person carrying it out must be competent. Competence means understanding legionella risks, water system types, and the control measures in the L8 Approved Code of Practice. Anyrisks produces a fully written, L8-compliant legionella risk assessment based on your description of the water system and building type.
How often does a legionella risk assessment need to be reviewed?
The HSE L8 guidance recommends reviewing the assessment every two years, or sooner if there are significant changes to the water system, building use, or after a legionella incident. Changes such as new showers, cooling towers, dead legs in pipework, or extended building closures all require an immediate review.
What happens if I do not have a legionella risk assessment?
Failure to conduct a legionella risk assessment is a breach of COSHH Regulation 6 and can result in prosecution by the HSE. In the event of a legionella outbreak, the absence of a documented assessment is treated as evidence of negligence. Fines can exceed £20,000 and in serious cases, custodial sentences have been imposed.
Does a legionella risk assessment cover cooling towers and evaporative condensers?
Yes — if your building has a cooling tower, evaporative condenser, or wet cooling system, describe it in detail when generating the assessment. Cooling towers are notifiable to the local authority under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992, and control measures are covered extensively in HSE L8.
Can I use this for a residential rental property?
Yes — landlords of residential properties have a legal duty to assess and manage legionella risk under COSHH. Describe the property type, number of bathrooms, shower types, water storage tanks, and any infrequently used outlets. The assessment will include tenant guidance and recommended control measures such as quarterly flushing of infrequently used taps.
Is this compliant with HSE L8 and the Approved Code of Practice?
Yes — Anyrisks legionella risk assessments are written in full alignment with the HSE L8 Approved Code of Practice (fifth edition, 2013). They reference specific control measures including water temperature monitoring, cleaning and disinfection schedules, and dead leg identification.
Does the assessment include a water system schematic?
The written assessment includes a description of the water system based on your input. If you require a technical schematic diagram, describe the system layout in detail and we will include references to tank locations, pipework routes, and outlet types. For complex systems, you may wish to attach a separate schematic to the completed document.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment? · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · Risk Assessment Generator
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