Whether you’re already working with a supplier, or thinking of switching to a new one, it’s critical that you pick one that you feel you can trust to keep your water system safe and free from hazardous substances like legionella bacteria. They'll be the ones undertaking important procedures such as legionella risk assessments that will warn you and your clients about the dangers present on your site.

Here are the most important factors a facilities manager should evaluate and look out for in a provider.

Expertise

A thorough understanding of the nature of the bacteria and its various risks is essential for adequate legionella control. Your provider should be able to answer any questions you have about how legionella grows, the conditions that facilitate its growth and the methods to prevent it.

It’s a good idea to check that staff are trained regularly and that they keep up to date with current trends and technology, are generally forward-thinking and demonstrate a clear vision for improving their services.

Experience

The experience of your water treatment supplier directly correlates to the quality of service you will receive. It’ll also make the process of treating your system quicker as they’ll know what to look for. You should enquire about their track record - don’t be afraid to ask for references from other companies to prove that they’ll take your safety seriously.

It’s critical that you choose a water treatment provider who has the right skillset and industry experience, as the consequences are too much of a gamble to risk.  A facilities management company who fails to adequately protect a water system and comply with the law could face fines and even imprisonment - not to mention reputational damage to your company and a loss of clients.

Management

A large part of legionella treatment is in monitoring and maintaining the water system. In order to adhere to regulations, records must be kept that detail assessments, temperature checks and any other control methods. Ideally, you should look for a supplier with a strong management and leadership team who are organised when it comes to paperwork and documentation.

At Brodex for example, clients have access to their own Customer Online Portal where they can see a detailed overview of all checks to be carried out and water-related records. This ensures that nothing is missed and clients have peace of mind that they’re safe and compliant at all times.

As well as establishing a secure maintenance programme, good management will foster a transparent and positive relationship with customers. When it comes to a system with so many moving parts and health and safety procedures, as well as people, it’s essential to choose provider who is open, honest and communicative. It also means that staff in general will be better trained.

Availability

There’s never a good time for a possible legionella outbreak or an issue with your water system, but if it’s during obscure hours, you’ll want to be sure that your client has access to help. This is important especially if your client values discretion - if they’re a hotel, for example, they’ll prioritise a provider who can take their guests into consideration.

Coverage

By coverage, we mean two things. Firstly, if your client has several chains or buildings throughout the country, it would be cost effective and logistical if you look for a national provider that can supply their services to all of them.

Secondly, you’ll want to check the extent of the services that your provider will cover. If they’re only assessing your site for legionella, for example, but they notice that you would benefit from servicing your TMVs for safety, will they point this out and carry out the work for you? It’s beneficial to work with experts who don’t treat their services as merely a box-ticking exercise and instead view it as means to keep your clients safe in every way possible.

Financial stability

A supplier with financial strength has the means to invest in their company. They’re more likely to commit to on-going staff and client training and have the money to spend on resources and technology, meaning you’ll be sure to receive an all-round better service. You should look for a supplier who is thoroughly insured, has an excellent credit rating and high liquid capital resources. 

Accreditations

As a minimum, your legionella treatment supplier should belong to the Legionella Control Association which demonstrates a commitment to a high standard of services. You should also check that they are accredited to ISO9001 and retain an excellent health and safety record themselves. Any additional accreditations may differ depending on the type of client you’re catering for, but in general your provider should be aware of and conform to regulations set by the HSE, L8 and the CQC.

Wondering why it’s so important that FM companies choose a good legionella treatment supplier? Learn more in our guide that goes over everything that FM companies need to know about how to manage legionella through risk assessments.