Now is a good time for contractors — along with facility operators and engineering firms — to take a close look at ASHRAE’s pending Legionella standard. ASHRAE 188P, “Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems,” could become a standard as early as July if the comments received on the latest draft are not deemed substantive enough to warrant another public review.
The Legionella risk reduction strategy set forth in 188P is to implement a water management plan for building water systems including cooling towers, evaporative condensers, whirlpool spas, ornamental fountains, misters, atomizers, air washers, humidifiers, and other devices that release water droplets. A management plan would be required for potable plumbing systems only in buildings that have any of the following: (a) multiple housing units with a centralized hot water system; (b) more than 10 stories; (c) housing for occupants over the age of 65; (d) health care for patients staying longer than 24 hours; or (e) an area housing or treating persons at especially high risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease.