ASHRAE 188P: Prevention of Legionellosis Associated with Building
Water Systems
What is the purpose of ASHRAE 188?
To provide uniform practices to prevent Legionellosis (Legionnaire's disease and Pontiac fever) associated with building water systems. It establishes barriers to transmission of Legionella, implements sound maintenance procedures, and utilizes hazard control.
Who will be affected by ASHRAE 188?
Anyone who owns, designs, builds, installs (including commissioning), manages, operates, maintains and services centralized industrial or commercial building waters systems.
What buildings and water systems are covered?
• Human-occupied buildings, excluding single family residences
• Potable water systems; cooling towers and evaporative condensers; whirlpool spas; decorative fountains and other water features; and aerosol generating air coolers, humidifiers and washers.
How will it impact you?
With the adoption of ASHRAE 188 you will be held accountable for safeguarding potable and utility water systems. This applies to both existing and new buildings.
How do you comply?
• Survey your water systems to determine risk
• Develop a risk management plan (HACCP)
• Document the plan
• Monitor
• Validate
What is HACCP?
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
requires facility managers/owners to assemble a risk management team to:
• identify uses of potable and utility water,
• create diagrams of water systems,
• identify control points and determine critical
control points
establish monitoring procedures and corrective actions and verify the hazard (Legionella) is controlled
Treatment methods for Legionella
ASHRAE 188 doesn't contain all the necessary details for effective prevention and disinfection and control Legionella. Some methods of disinfection mentioned in the standard often fail to control Legionella. That's why it's important for you to obtain competent advice and review current publications for Legionella control. To read our resarch publications, please visit www.legionella.org.
