Managing water systems in busy transport hubs is a serious task for any facilities team. Airports welcome millions of passengers every year. Because of this high footfall, health and safety must always come first. Legionella bacteria can hide in large, complex water networks if they are not maintained properly. Air travel relies on safe terminals.
We help you carry out essential testing and maintenance to protect building occupants. Good safety management stops problems before they start. The first step is clear guidance and reliable control measures.
How We Support Legionella Compliance in Airports
Keeping an airport running safely means you must manage many different risks at once. We support your team by providing highly experienced staff to inspect your facilities. Our experts develop strict procedures for full compliance with the latest laws.
Do you know if your current water quality is safe? We help you assess everything from terminal washrooms to cooling towers.
By identifying risks early, we make sure airlines and airport operators protect passengers.
We focus on continuous improvement and communication.
Legionella Bacteria Explained
Legionella bacteria exist naturally in rivers and ponds. However, they become a real problem when they find their way into man-made water systems. If the water temperature is right, the bacteria will multiply rapidly. People catch diseases by breathing in tiny drops of contaminated water from the air.
This often happens near showers, water features, or cooling towers. Every employer has clear responsibilities to control this risk. You must perform regular checks to keep the bacteria levels safe.
Legionella
Growth
These bacteria thrive in warm conditions. Legionella growth peaks when water sits between 20°C and 45°C. Stagnant water in unused airport bathrooms creates the perfect breeding ground. Dirt, rust, and scale provide food for the bacteria to survive. Keeping domestic hot water hot and cold water cold is the best way to stop them. Regular flushing of unused pipes is also crucial. If you ignore these basic rules, the bacteria will quickly spread throughout your entire system.
Legionnaires
Disease
When passengers or staff inhale infected water droplets, they can develop Legionnaires disease. This illness is a severe form of pneumonia that attacks the lungs. It is especially dangerous for older travellers or those with weak immune systems. The disease causes a bad cough, high fever, and breathing problems. Because air travel moves people across the globe, an outbreak at an airport can have massive consequences. Swift action and proper water treatment prevent this illness entirely.
Legionella Health
and Safety Management
You need a strong system to manage water safety in large transport hubs. Good health and safety management requires a solid plan and detailed records. You must identify where the risks are highest. After that, you must put the right control measures in place to reduce those risks. Regular audits and inspections prove that you comply with the law. We supply the expertise you need to keep your safety policies up to date.
What Our Customers Say
“The team at Comfort Services Group were awesome when they carried out the Legionella Control works at our offices, they were very accommodating, Tom and the guys on site were a pleasure to work with. I would recommend the services of Comfort Services Group without reservation. Excellent First impressions with the Office Team, which was mirrored by the guys who did the work. Thanks guys.”
Michael Green
“I have had Comfort commissioning working on different projects for the companies i have worked for over the past 15 years. They have assisted in many difficult projects throughout the country. Andy and Lawrence have been very professional and helpful. i found their attitude, and pro-active approach to be of very high standard. i will always push to use them on future projects”
Chris Richards
“Comfort commissioning are a great company, they deliver great services and the team there are very helpful and efficient. They really do care about their customers and take a keen interest in ensuring a high level of customer service is maintained at all times.”
Gary Clatworthy
“Fantastic service from Comfort from start to finish. Very responsive, friendly, reliable and professional.”
Sarah
“Contacted Comfort Commissioning Services Ltd for advice about unusual deposits in the header tank of an open vented domestic heating system. Not core business for them, but one of their directors responded to me really quickly via email with some excellent free advice which was greatly appreciated. Very impressed.”
Pete Davies
Appointing a Responsible Person
Every airport must name a responsible person to look after water safety.
This individual takes charge of all daily legionella control tasks.
They must have the right training and authority to make important decisions.
Often, they manage a wider team of maintenance staff.
The responsible person ensures everyone follows the correct procedures for testing and cleaning. If they need extra support, they can hire external specialists to help them carry out complex project work safely.
Maintenance of Hot
and Cold Water Storage Tanks
Large buildings rely on cold water storage tanks to supply their networks. If these tanks are dirty or poorly covered, legionella risk increases sharply. Dirt and insects can enter the cold water storage and contaminate the supply. You must inspect these tanks regularly.
Sometimes you need to drain and clean them to remove sludge. Managing hot water is just as important. You must balance the need for high temperatures with the scald risk in public washrooms.
Legionella Control Services for Airports
Managing a vast airport water network requires specific skills.
Comfort Services Group provides a complete range of services to keep your systems clean and compliant.
We support your maintenance teams with targeted solutions.
Legionella Risk Assessment
A comprehensive risk assessment is the foundation of good water safety. Our highly experienced team will survey your entire airport site. We inspect showers, taps, tanks, and hidden pipework to find potential dangers. After the survey, we give you a detailed report. This document highlights any weaknesses in your current setup. It also provides clear, practical advice on how to fix them. Regular legionella risk assessments keep your site legal and safe.
Water Monitoring
Checking your water systems frequently is a legal duty. We standardise your water monitoring programme to make it simple and effective. Our technicians check temperature levels across various terminal buildings. We make sure cold water stays below 20°C and hot water remains above 50°C. If temperatures drift into the danger zone, we alert you immediately. Consistent monitoring spots minor issues before they turn into major health hazards for passengers.
Water Sampling
Sometimes you need to know exactly what is living in your water. We take samples from high-risk areas across your airport. Our staff safely transport these samples to independent laboratories for careful testing. The laboratory checks for legionella and other harmful bugs. If the results show a high bacteria count, we tell you straight away. Routine water sampling gives you total peace of mind that your control measures are actually working.
Cleaning, Disinfection
& Remedial Works
Tanks and pipes get dirty over time. We carry out deep cleaning and disinfection to remove harmful materials. If a risk assessment finds broken pipes or missing tank lids, we handle the remedial works. Our plumbers fix dead legs where water stagnates. We upgrade old valves and replace risky parts with modern, safe alternatives. This hands-on project work drastically reduces the chance of legionella spreading through your terminal.
Water Treatment
& Control Solutions
Some complex systems need chemical treatments to stay safe. We supply advanced water treatment solutions tailored to aviation facilities. This includes dosing cooling towers with specific biocides to stop bacteria growth. We also install clever control equipment that doses chemicals automatically. These reliable control measures save your team time and effort. Proper treatment ensures your water quality remains excellent, even during peak summer holiday periods.
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
Unexpected breakdowns disrupt airport operations. A strong planned preventative maintenance schedule stops this from happening. We organise regular servicing for all your water assets. Our engineers visit your site on a set timetable to perform essential checks. They clean shower heads, service mixing valves, and flush unused outlets. This routine work extends the life of your equipment. A good PPM strategy ensures long-term compliance without any stressful last-minute panics.
Members of the Legionella Control Association
Working with trusted partners is vital for airport safety. Comfort Services Group is a proud member of the Legionella Control Association. This membership proves we meet strict industry standards. We follow a clear code of conduct for all our legionella control services. When you hire us, you know you are getting expert advice based on current laws. We handle your compliance so you can focus on running the airport.
Make Air Travel Safer with Comfort Services Group
Passenger safety is the core of everything an airport does. Clean water is a basic human need, even on a short flight connection. Comfort Services Group brings years of expertise directly to your terminals. We work quietly behind the scenes to test, clean, and manage your facilities. Partnering with us protects your reputation and keeps your staff safe. Contact our team today to discuss your next comprehensive risk assessment.
Get a FREE consultation
We will process your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
You can opt out of these communications at any time by updating your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Legionella control for airports cost?
The price depends on the size and age of your airport. A single small terminal costs much less to assess than a huge international hub with multiple buildings. We always survey your specific water systems before giving a price. This way, you only pay for the exact testing and maintenance your site actually needs. Contact us directly for a custom quote based on your exact layout.
Have you worked with airports before?
Yes, we have strong experience in the aviation sector. We understand the unique security rules and tight schedules involved in working airside and landside. Our team knows how to perform inspections without disrupting passenger flow or flight operations. We design our maintenance visits around your quietest periods. This hands-on experience means we deliver smooth, hassle-free compliance for busy transport hubs.
What to do when Legionella is found in an airport?
Do not panic, but act quickly. You must restrict access to the affected water outlets immediately to protect building occupants. Next, contact your responsible person and a specialist contractor. We will come to the site to disinfect the contaminated system using chemicals or high heat. After cleaning, we take fresh samples to prove the bacteria are gone. Finally, we review your current control measures to stop it from happening again.
