As the 2020 intake prepare for their first term at university this autumn, it’s only natural they’ll be concerned for their safety within their halls of residence, and when they’re off campus enjoying their social lives.
For managers of high-density university accommodation it is, therefore, important to understand how the risk of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak can be mitigated to ensure students are safe and able to access high-quality, durable showers that will also withstand heavy usage.
Named after an outbreak of illness at a Philadelphia hotel in 1976 where the Pennsylvania American Legion was meeting for a convention, Legionnaires’ Disease is a rare, but serious, lung infection that can be contracted by inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria from large scale water systems, including shower and toilet facilities, air conditioning, and hot tubs.
Like other types of pneumonia, Legionnaires’ Disease is characterised by a fever, persistent cough, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath – similar symptoms, in fact, to you-know-what, but far more likely to affect younger people.
While the illness cannot be transmitted between people, the lengthy incubation time – ranging from two days to two weeks – means there is the potential for large-scale infection in halls of residence where significant numbers of students could come into contact with the bacteria before signs of infection become apparent.
With Covid-19 sharing many of the symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease, facilities managers need to be confident that they have taken decisive steps to prevent a Legionella outbreak as, in the current climate, it is likely a sudden infection could be erroneously diagnosed.
To comply with health and safety legislation, property managers should carry out the following steps:
We realise that thorough preventative measures are often time-consuming and costly. With this in mind, Advanced Showers have partnered with Challis Showers (the UK’s largest manufacturer of anti-microbial showers) to provide you with quick, easy, cost-effective and safe solutions, which include Ag+ Shower Scheme and the innovative Challis Ag+ WMS
With showers in student halls of residence requiring regular cleaning, it’s vital that this can be completed quickly and thoroughly. At Advanced Showers, our shower pods are constructed from durable GRP that is effortless to clean and, without the need for acrylic seals and tiles that can accumulate dirt and bacteria, you’ll never need to worry about carrying out inconvenient repairs.
For more information about shower pods for your student accommodation, download our free Shower Pods Guide here, or feel free to get in touch.
Image source: Pixabay