What’s in the New ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015: Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems

The long-awaited ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 was published June 26, 2015. Just a few weeks later, the world witnessed and followed as one of the largest outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease occurred in New York City and was unfolded in the media—with 100 cases and 10 deaths reported as of August 7, 2015. What is in ASHRAE Standard 188 that could have helped prevent this outbreak and do so for future outbreaks? There are many steps described within Standard 188 that require specific knowledge to determine how, where and what controls can be implemented to control and prevent the hazardous conditions of Legionella from persisting within building water systems. A presentation and tour of 188 is provided and discussed as to what important and pertinent information is found in Standard 188 and where users can find this information. Following the minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems established in Standard 188 will go a long way in preventing Legionnaires’ disease and does provide the first U.S standard to address such.