Irish Prison Service

After the tragic death of a prisoner due to a legionella outbreak in Maghaberry Prison, Invisible Systems and its distribution partner Brennan & Co approached the Irish Prison Service (IPS) to discuss the urgent need for a robust water management and flushing system. Together, they sought to deliver a solution that would ensure compliance with national water safety guidelines and protect the health and wellbeing of inmates and staff across the prison estate.

Client

Irish Prison Service (IPS) (Brennan & Co)

Date

October 2025

Location

Ireland

Industry

Public Sector / Facilities Management

Irish Prison Service: Ensuring Water Safety and Compliance Through Smart Monitoring

Challenge

The IPS health and safety team was aware of the regulations and responsibilities for implementing a flushing regime but faced major challenges in executing it effectively. Many water outlets and access points were located in difficult or restricted areas, making risk assessments and regular checks both complex and resource-intensive. The operational limitations of working within a secure environment further increased the difficulty of ensuring consistent compliance and timely responses to potential water safety risks.

Solution

Invisible Systems developed a monitoring solution designed to improve safety, predict system failures, and guarantee compliance without disrupting operations or relying on existing IT infrastructure. Water flow temperature probe transmitters were installed within the prison pipework, ensuring all devices were safely located away from prisoner access.

The system’s data is automatically captured and stored within Live by Invisible Systems, an online software platform that continuously tracks hot and cold water temperatures. The platform provides real-time insight into system performance, enabling rapid detection of issues, verification of flushing compliance, and evidence-based reporting for regulatory audits.

Results and Impact

Accurate data for decision-making: Reliable temperature data supports repair and replacement requests with clear evidence.
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Identification of failing areas: Early detection of underperforming water systems ensures compliance with required temperature standards.
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Verification of flushing performance: Continuous monitoring confirms adherence to national water safety guidelines.
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Temperature control assurance: Stored water is consistently maintained at safe temperature levels.
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Automated reporting: Weekly and monthly compliance reports are generated automatically for Chief Trades Officers.

Following the successful pilot, the system was rolled out to 15 prisons within just three months, providing full visibility and control of water safety management across the Irish Prison Service estate.

Future Direction

The IPS plans to continue using the system to strengthen its proactive maintenance strategy and explore potential integration with broader environmental monitoring initiatives. The goal is to ensure every facility within the service operates with the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and compliance.

Conclusion

Through collaboration with Invisible Systems and Brennan & Co, the Irish Prison Service has achieved a major step forward in water safety management. The smart monitoring solution has transformed compliance processes, improved operational efficiency, and significantly reduced the risk of legionella outbreaks, setting a new benchmark for safety across the prison network.