With December now here, many businesses across the UK operate at reduced capacity over the festive period.. While staff may be away and buildings are quiet, your water systems remain a core part of your compliance responsibilities.

When outlets are not used for extended periods of time, water stagnates inside the pipework. Stagnant water loses temperature control, disinfectant levels drop, and biofilm begins to form. These conditions allow bacteria, including Legionella, to multiply quickly. This is why legionella control during christmas shutdowns is essential for any organisation.

Keeping your water system safe relies on maintaining flushing on site and continuing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) throughout December and into New Year.

 Download our free guide on In-house monitoring tasks.

Little-Used Outlets Must Still Be Flushed

Even when a building is closed or running with limited staff, compliance obligations remain.

Non-Healthcare Premises (HSG 274 Part 2)

Outlets with low or no use should be flushed once per week, including:

• Taps
• Showers
• Points of use with intermittent or low-flow usage

Outlets should be flushed for a minimum of 2 minutes or until temperatures stabilise:

• Hot: 50oC or above
• Cold: Below 20oC

This keeps water turning over and helps control bacteria risk.

Healthcare Premises & High-Risk Populations (HSG 274 & HTM 04-01)

Healthcare and environments serving vulnerable users - such as hospitals, care homes, treatment areas, and settings with immunocompromised individuals - require enhanced control. 

In these sites:

• Little-used outlets must be flushed at least weekly, but more frequent flushing may be required as indicated by the Legionella Risk Assessment
• Flushing should last 3 minutes or until temperatures stabilise
• Records must be clear, accurate and auditable

These measures protect high-risk users and ensure regulatory compliance.

Even during festive shutdowns, core water hygiene tasks must continue to comply with HSG 274, HTM 04-01, COSHH and the Health & Safety at Work Act.

Essential tasks can include:

• Flushing of infrequently used outlets
• Temperature monitoring
• TMV servicing
• Tank inspection
• Showerhead clean and disinfection

A pause in any of these tasks, even briefly, can increase risk of stagnation and cause escalation of bacterial growth.

BrodexTrident Can Help

If your site will be closed or short-staffed over the Christmas Period, BrodexTrident Compliance Services can support with:

• Scheduled Planned Preventative Maintenance visits
• Temperature monitoring with digital logging
• Water sampling tested to UKAS standards
• System disinfection and corrective remedial works

Our engineers operate across the UK in both healthcare & non-healthcare premises and all works completed to current regulatory standards.