title: The effect of a self-regulating trace heating element on Legionella within a shower.
abstract: A self-regulating trace heating element was assessed for its ability to maintain a temperature of 50 degrees C in the mixer valve and dead-legs of a shower, and for its effect on legionellas colonizing the shower. The trace heating element maintained a temperature of 50 degrees C +/- 1.5 degrees C in dead-legs when the circulating hot water supply remained above 45 degrees C. Legionellas appeared in a trace heated dead-leg when the temperature of the dead-leg reached 45 degrees C and the hot water supply dropped below this temperature. Legionellas were eradicated or significantly reduced in sections of the shower where a temperature of 50 degrees C was consistently achieved. The mixer valve which was trace heated but not insulated remained colonized with Legionellas. Legionellas were found in shower water throughout the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makin
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007875:Legionella / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012498:Sanitary Engineering; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply