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Fire Sprinkler Tanks
Fire sprinkler systems can provide a home and nutrients for legionella bacteria to survive because the water is predominantly static and its temperature in the distribution system is normally above 20°C.
The legionella bacteria will only grow slowly at these temperatures but since they have minimal water losses it takes years for there to be a complete turnover of water.
When sprinklers are activated they emit a huge amount of spray and aerosol, however, the average size of each particle of water is so big that most of us would have an automatic reflex cough if we inhaled some. A small proportion of the aerosol would have particle sizes too small to trigger a reflex cough response so there remains a risk.
The greatest risk is to those engineers who test the sprinklers and discharge fire hoses and to anyone else nearby.
By testing the fire tank, the type and concentration of any legionella bacteria found can help produce a risk assessment and provide a safe system of working.
Advice on Taking the Sample
Sample the tank as far away from the make-up point as possible or arrange to take a sample when the maintenance company are performing scheduled PPM works.