Ensuring Compliance and Safety in GMP Environments
From experience, it’s often simple things like an unused tap that get overlooked in commercial buildings. But in a GMP setting, even small details can cause serious compliance or health issues if not properly managed. Our clients can trust that we stay on top of these risks while keeping their buildings running as efficiently as possible.
– Lucy Canney, Operations Manager
Challenge
Legionella bacteria are naturally found in water sources like rivers and lakes, but under the right conditions, they can also grow in artificial water systems such as cooling towers and hot and cold-water services. These bacteria thrive in temperatures between 20ºC and 45ºC and can cause Legionnaires’ disease – a potentially fatal form of pneumonia – when contaminated water droplets are inhaled.
In GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) environments, the risks are heightened due to strict hygiene standards and the presence of infrequently used taps and water outlets. Our client, a leading life sciences company based in Stevenage, needed a reliable partner to manage the legionella risk in their high-specification GMP facilities, ensuring both compliance and safety.
Solution
As part of their Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) contract, we provide a fully managed water hygiene service that includes legionella risk management. This service is built on industry best practices and external verification.
We carried out a bespoke Legionella risk assessment for the site and implemented a comprehensive water management plan, overseen by qualified responsible persons and in collaboration with trusted, specialist suppliers. Our team also reviewed and aligned the site’s water safety policies with GMP requirements to ensure robust compliance.
Outcome
One Facility delivers an ongoing programme of services tailored to the unique needs of GMP environments, including:
- Annual risk assessments
- Legionella awareness training
- Regular compliance audits
- Water temperature monitoring
- Dosing of air handling units (AHUs)
- Tap flushing, conducted by our dedicated GMP cleaning team
- Closed water system management and air quality checks
Our service supports compliance with ISO 14001 and SFG20 standards and also promotes water efficiency, early issue detection, and long-term cost savings.
Planned Preventative Maintenance Services
This water hygiene and legionella control service is a key part of our PPM offering and is available to any client across all industries who requires professional water management as part of their facilities management strategy.
If this is a service you would like to explore further, please get in touch with our team today: hello@onefacility.co.uk