International. ASHRAE publishes updated guidance to assist in the control of legionellosis associated with water systems in buildings.
ASHRAE Guideline 12-2020, Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems, provides useful guidance in the implementation of 188 ANSI/ASHRAE, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems. The guideline is intended to be used by owners of buildings occupied by individuals and those involved in the design, construction, installation, commissioning, management, operation, maintenance and service of water systems and components of centralized buildings.
"ASHRAE Standard 188 gives instructions on what to do to control the spread of legionellosis, such as following a risk management process, but does not necessarily explain how to do so prescriptively," says Paul Lindahl, chair of the committee for the ASHRAE Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC) 188, the committee responsible for writing Guideline 12-2020.
"Guideline 12 complements Standard 188 by providing detailed guidance for water management program teams to develop the necessary elements of an effective water management plan. This may be a particularly important aspect of plans to reopen buildings after the COVID-19 pandemic."
Guideline 12 applies to spaces such as hotels, office buildings, hospitals and other health care facilities, assisted living facilities, schools, universities, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, and centralized systems in multifamily residential buildings. Buildings with non-centralized water systems and single-family residential buildings, while not included, may also benefit.
Three presentations on Guideline 12-2020 will be held during the ASHRAE 2020 Virtual Conference.
- History of Rule 188, Guideline 12 and other guidelines
- ASHRAE Guideline 12 and the Facts about Legionella Growth in Building Water Systems
- Guideline 12 is a tool designed to support the preparation of a water management plan using the ANSI/ASHRAE 188 standard
While Legionnaires' disease has been known for many years, recent outbreaks have increased awareness of the disease, its causes, and prevention strategies. According to the World Health Organization, because many countries lack appropriate methods to diagnose infection or sufficient surveillance systems, the rate of occurrence is unknown.
The guide can be obtained by clicking here.
