Can I insulate our hot water pipes or does this risk Legionnaires?

Question

I sort-of had the impression that Legionnaires' Disease is when recirculated warm water and air get infected. Our hot water tank is a distance from the shower room, if I insulate the hot water pipes they will waste less heat when we run the water, or is this dangerous?

Answer 1

Your attention to your family's health and safety is commendable. In this case, however, your worries are unfounded. Legionnaire's disease was so named after several participants at a Legionnaire's Convention became ill and died after exposure to a bacterium, subsequently named Legionella.

Legionella grows in standing, stagnant water, such as the chiller units used to air condition the hotel that hosted the convention.
The bacteria was carried on water droplets and disbursed through the duct system, then inhaled by the victims. This bacteria is insidious and fast-growing inside the lungs, and is worthy of our respect. However, your project does not create any of the elements required for the growth and dissemination of Legionella.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legionella

Answer 2

you can insulate the pipes with no problems, as long as the water is hot enough, over 80 degrees, i believe you should have no problems from legionnaires. ask a plumber or the local health authority

Answer 3

It is not dangerous, it is highly recommended to insulate hot water pipes.

Legionaire disease has nothing to do with recirculated warm water (Water distribution is not a closed loop, water doesn't recirculate)

Answer 4

Home Depot sells snap on pipe insulation. There should be no problem of disease. I have insulated all my hot water pipes and have had no problems.

Answer 5

no that is not dangerous, your hot water heater has about 4 inches of insulation inside it to keep the water warm, so putting it on your pipes is no different

Answer 6

No more dangerous than having the water sit in the tank itself. Insulate with those foam tubes that you can buy for the purpose--there's no risk of getting fiberglass particles spread around that way.