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DOH: Emergency regulations to control Legionnaire’s Disease spread [US]
- #DOH (Department of Health)
The Department of Health (DOH) has passed emergency regulations to curb the spread of Legionnaire’s disease.
Inspection and testing of cooling towers
The new regulations require that cooling towers are inspected and tested for Legionella cultures within 30 days of the regulations coming into effect. The definition of a cooling tower includes evaporative condensers or fluid coolers that are part of a recirculated water system incorporated into a building’s cooling, industrial process, refrigeration, or energy production system. Healthcare facilities are to have additional reporting and planning requirements.
The regulations also stipulate that owners of existing cooling towers must register with the state and that new cooling towers will need to be registered with the DOH prior to operation.
Certification required
Each year, an owner must submit a certification to the DOH proving that each cooling tower was properly inspected and cleaned and that a maintenance program has been developed.
The first certification is due by November 1st, 2016, then once a year thereafter, and must be carried out by a state-licensed professional engineer, certified industrial hygienist, certified water technologist, or environmental consultant familiar with industry standards.
Maintenance program
Existing cooling tower owners must develop a maintenance program by March 1st, 2016. New cooling tower owners would need to submit their program prior to beginning operations.
The maintenance program must be developed according to section 7.2 of Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems (ANSI/ASHRAE 188-2015), 2015. In addition to meeting the ASHRAE requirements, the program must also include:
- a schedule for routine bacteriological sampling and analysis
- emergency sample collection during emergency events.
Records of all inspection findings, corrective actions, cleaning, tests, and certifications must be maintained for at least three years.
Healthcare facilities
Healthcare facilities must also include immediate action responses for positive Legionella culture results.
According to the new regulations, they must adopt a Legionella sampling plan for their potable water distribution system, with facilities taking any necessary measures if a sample result reveals the presence of the bacteria responsible for Legionnaire’s Disease, which manifests itself as flu-like symptoms or pneumonia in affected individuals.
The formal rulemaking process will begin before the current emergency regulations expire on November 14th, 2015.
Red-on-line EHS Legalist
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