Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 26 August 2018: ASHRAE has published a revised edition of its standard that provides a more comprehensive approach to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella, the society said in a Press communiqué.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, establishes minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems, the communiqué said. The 2018 edition provides clarification of compliance requirements, as well as an update to enforceable, code-intended language to facilitate adoption of the standard for code and regulatory purposes, the communiqué further said.

According to ASHRAE, the standard was originally developed to assist designers and building operators establish water management plans, which include practices specific to the systems that exist in a particular building, campus or health care facility. It is intended for use by those involved in design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and service of centralised building water systems and components, the communiqué said.

Paul Lindahl, Chair of the Standard 188 Committee, ASHRAE, said: “Standard 188 was the first industry standard in the United States to address Legionnaire’s disease prevention. Since this standard centers on the development and implementation of good design, operations and maintenance procedures, it is important to make updates on a regular basis. The 2018 edition of the standard focuses on improved usability, offering better guidance to minimise the risk of this potentially fatal disease and save lives.”

According to ASHRAE, the 2018 edition of Standard 188 provides:

• A description of environmental conditions that promote the growth of Legionella.
• Informative annexes and bibliography with suggestions, recommendations and references to additional guidance.
• Minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for buildings and associated potable and non-potable water systems.
• Requirements for Legionellosis control strategies and documentation.

The CDC estimates there are between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States each year – and more than 10% of these cases are fatal, the communiqué said. Legionella can also cause a less-severe influenza-like illness known as Pontiac Fever, the communiqué further said. Most of those cases are the result of exposure to Legionella found in building water systems, the communiqué added.

According to ASHRAE, the cost of Standard 188-2018 is USD 75 for members (USD 88 for non-members). To order, visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore.