HSG 274 Legionella Compliance Services

Acorn’s HSG 274 Legionella compliance services give dutyholders a clear way to manage Legionella risk. With over 25 years’ experience and trusted by 200+ active clients, our qualified specialists help you provide audit-ready evidence of water hygiene compliance across your site.

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Legionella Bacteria and the role of temperature

Our accreditations

Why does HSG 274 compliance matter?

HSG 274 compliance matters because it’s the standard the HSE expects dutyholders and employers to apply when controlling Legionella risk. It helps demonstrate that your approach supports ACoP L8 and other duties under UK law, such as:

When controls aren’t clearly defined and evidenced, you and your occupants may be exposed to avoidable harm, including the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, legal action, and fines.

Why choose Acorn for your HSG 274 Legionella compliance?

Clear compliance you can rely on

Your Legionella testing is carried out in line with HSG 274 and analysed by UKAS-accredited labs, giving you clear evidence that risks are being properly assessed and controlled if insurers, auditors, or authorities ask.

25+ years of water hygiene expertise

All Legionella water testing is carried out by trained engineers with over 25 years’ experience in water hygiene, accredited by the Legionella Control Association (LCA).

Audit-ready reports when you need

Your results and documentation are stored securely in a digital client portal via ServiceTracker, giving you instant access to Legionella compliance evidence for audits, inspections, or internal checks.

Fast, local support across the North

We work across the North West and Yorkshire to help local businesses across the area resolve any issues quickly in the case of a sudden system failure or last-minute inspection.

What are our HSG 274 Legionella compliance services?

Our HSG 274 Legionella compliance services help you apply the HSE’s guidance in practice. Delivered by our LCA-recognised water hygiene specialists, we provide an all-in-one programme of assessment, control measures, monitoring, and evidence – all digitally documented via ServiceTracker. These include:

Detailed Legionella risk assessments

Our Legionella risk assessments identify how and where problems could occur within your system, and what measures are needed. We inspect all water systems covered in HSG 274, including hot and cold water systems, tanks, calorifiers, and anything that can create breathable water droplets. Your assessment will include:

  • A review of existing records
  • A physical survey of the water systems
  • A set of prioritised recommendations

Written Scheme of Control

The Written Scheme of Control turns the results of the risk assessment into a clear, workable plan. It sets out the day-to-day responsibilities of the Responsible Person, the control measures that must be followed, and more. This can be picked up and used straight away, helping you stay organised and ready for future inspections.

Water testing and sampling

Where needed, our engineers will take risk-based water samples from common taps in your site and transport them the same day to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. Once they’re ready, we’ll explain the results to you clearly and confirm any immediate next steps you should take

Recommended actions

If we find any non-compliance, we can help you correct it in line with HSG 274. This may include system improvements (e.g., removing deadlegs or redundant pipework) and tank cleaning (e.g., thermal disinfection).

Book your compliance consultation now

What is HSG 274 Legionella guidance?

HSG 274 is the technical guidance for Legionella control set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that explains how to implement ACoP L8 expectations. This includes system-specific control measures, monitoring routines, and record keeping. HSG 274 is split into three parts, each covering a different type of water system.

HSG 274 Part 1: Evaporative cooling systems

Part 1 focuses on higher-risk systems where water can be dispersed as fine, breathable droplets, and control needs to be tighter (e.g., cooling towers, evaporative condensers). It notes the documented regime that covers dutyholder responsibilities and oversight, as well as how water is treated and maintained.

HSG 274 Part 2: Hot and cold water systems

Part 2 applies to the systems most businesses recognise (e.g., cold water storage tanks, showers, taps, etc.) found in workplaces and public buildings. It emphasises Legionella bacteria control through routine checks and reducing stagnation. It also sets out the expectation of the Responsible Person, documentation, and review triggers.

HSG 274 Part 3: Other risk systems

Part 3 covers the systems where risk can be higher or more complex because water is recirculated, warmed, or dispersed (e.g., hydrotherapy pools, humidifiers, etc.) These usually need more frequent and system-specific controls, as well as more intensive monitoring, more thorough cleaning and disinfection routines, and clearer escalation if results indicate non-compliance.

Stay compliant with HSG 274 (Legionella control)

Acorn Environment Services helps duty holders meet HSG 274 and ACoP L8 requirements for hot and cold water systems across higher-risk sites, including care homes, hotels, gyms, and multi-occupancy buildings.

Call 0161 483 7112 to book your free HSG 274 compliance review.

Call 0161 483 7112

What do our clients say about our Legionella compliance services?

Trust Pilot

K

"Your technician was very polite and well mannered, he even made time to have a quick chat which is a surprise for me as most people who work on your home are just there to get job done and go 10/10!"

Keighley Boyes

N

"Excellent Service thanks for attending so promptly and dealing with the problem and taking into consideration the complex needs of the situation."

Natalie Hatzer

Happy Customers

Who needs to comply with HSG 274?

Landlords & property managers

Voids, low-use outlets, and tenant changeovers can increase stagnation risk, so HSG 274 helps you keep systems controlled and records consistent.

Employers and dutyholders

Where staff, visitors, or contractors could be exposed to water systems at work, you need a clear plan for Legionella bacteria control.

Facilities managers

Different building ages, usage patterns, and handovers create added risk to water hygiene, so HSG 274 supports standardised monitoring across sites

Healthcare and care

Vulnerable occupants and higher inspection expectations mean tighter control and clearer documentation required.

Hotels, leisure, and spas

Varying occupancy and high shower usage make consistent monitoring a must for Legionnaires’ disease prevention.

Schools and education

Term breaks and holiday shutdowns can lead to low water flow and stagnation, so HSG 274 helps you manage reopening routines, outlet checks, etc.

Industrial and commercial premises

Complex systems and high-risk systems within these premises require more thorough control measures and monitoring in line with HSG 274.

Book your Legionella compliance consultation now

Get in touch, and we’ll arrange the best HSG 274 support for your site.

Delivered by our LCA-recognised specialists, you’ll have clear next steps and auditable evidence of compliance.

Call us today or book your consultation to get started.

 

Call 0161 483 7112

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ACoP L8 Legionella Compliance FAQs

What is HSG 274, and why is it important?

HSG 274 is the HSE’s technical guidance for controlling Legionella in water systems. It explains the practical control measures, water hygiene monitoring routines, and record keeping expected to support ACoP L8. It’s important because it helps Dutyholders apply a consistent, system-specific control regime and produce the evidence needed for audits and inspections.

Who must comply with HSG 274?

Anyone with dutyholder responsibilities for premises and water systems where people could be exposed through work activities should apply the relevant HSG 274 guidance. This commonly includes employers, facilities managers, and those in control of buildings or systems (such as landlords, managing agents, and property managers), particularly where there are hot and cold water systems, showers, storage, recirculation, or higher-risk plant.

What are the three parts of HSG 274?

HSG 274 is split by system type: Part 1 covers evaporative cooling systems (including cooling towers) Part 2 covers building hot and cold water systems (tanks, calorifiers/water heaters, outlets, showers, etc.) Part 3 covers other higher-risk systems (e.g., spa pools, certain humidifiers/air washers, and specialist equipment that stores, warms, recirculates or disperses water).

How often should Legionella risk assessments be reviewed?

Legionella risk assessment reviews should be regular and whenever there’s reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid – such as changes to the water system, building use or occupancy, extended shutdowns/reopenings, monitoring results indicating loss of control, completed remedial works, or updated guidance. A good assessment will set out practical review triggers and a review date based on risk.

What is the difference between ACoP L8 and HSG 274?

ACoP L8 is the compliance framework that sets out roles, responsibilities, and what Dutyholders need to have in place to manage Legionella risk. HSG 274 is the technical “how” that provides control measures and monitoring expectations for different types of water systems.