Atlanta, Georgia, USA, July 30: ASHRAE is requesting public opinion on its Guideline 12-2000, in order to minimise the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, associated with building water systems, the society said in a Press communiqué. The opinions will be accepted until September 11, 2017 on the Society’s website.

Michael Patton, Member of ASHARE Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC) 118, said: “Public input is a vital step in the development of ASHRAE guidelines. Our goal with Guideline 12 is to have a strong companion document that works in tandem with ASHRAE Standard 188. We invite all interested and affected parties to review and comment on Guideline 12 during its public review period. This will help ASHRAE and SSPC 188 to create better resources that would help building owners minimise the risk of Legionellosis.”

Patton explained that the ASHRAE Guideline 12 was developed by the (SSPC) 118 and is intended for the use of building owners and those involved in the design, construction, installation, commissioning, management, operation, maintenance and service of centralised building water systems and components.

Explaining the benefits of the Guideline 12, he said: “The guideline will provide essential information and guidance to assist in the control of Legionellosis associated with building water systems. It also gives users direction in implementing ASHRAE Standard 188, which covers risk management for building water systems.”

Patton further added: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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. Most of those cases are the result of exposure to Legionella associated with building water systems.”