What are ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514?

ASHRAE has developed standards to ensure safe and healthy indoor environments including ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514. These two standards focus on different aspects of building design, maintenance, and operation related to health and safety. The ASHRAE standards has information on Legionella risk assessments, testing and water management programs (WMP).

Below are short summaries of ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514.

ASHRAE 188: Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems

Focus
ASHRAE 188 primarily addresses the management of risk related to Legionella bacteria in building water systems. Legionella is the waterborne pathogen responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia.

Scope
ASHRAE 188 applies to the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and service of centralized building water systems and components. This includes potable water systems, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and whirlpool spas, decorative fountains, and others.

Requirements

ASHRAE 188:

• Establishes minimum legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems.
• Mandates the development and implementation of a Water Management Program (WMP) to identify hazardous conditions and take steps to prevent and control the growth of Legionella.
• Emphasizes regular monitoring through Legionella testing, maintenance, and documentation to manage risks associated with Legionella.
• Includes concepts such as Legionella remediation and ongoing Legionella control through supplemental disinfection (examples: monochloramines, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, copper-silver ionization).

Key Components:

ASHRAE 188 includes:

• Identification of building water systems.
• Analysis of potential hazards.
• Implementation of control measures.
• Monitoring and verification of control measures.
• Documentation and communication of the Water Management Program (WMP).

ASHRAE 514: Risk Management for Building Water Systems to Reduce the Risk of Injury and Illness

Focus
ASHRAE 514 has a broader focus on the overall risk management for building water systems to reduce the risk of various injuries and illnesses, not limited to Legionella.

Scope
This standard encompasses a wider range of health and safety concerns in building water systems, including but not limited to chemical and microbial contaminants.

Requirements:

ASHRAE 514:

• Also requires the development of a comprehensive risk management plan.
• Requires that the plan address a broader spectrum of risks, including chemical exposure, microbial contamination (such as from other waterborne pathogens such as NTM- Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Acanthamoeba, and Naegleria Fowleri), and physical hazards.

Key Components:

ASHRAE 514 includes:

• Identification of all potential hazards associated with building water systems.
• Comprehensive risk assessment and management strategies.
• Implementation of control measures for a wider range of contaminants and hazards.
• Regular monitoring, maintenance, and documentation to manage a variety of risks.

General Similarities and Differences of ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514

While both ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514 emphasize risk management for building water systems, ASHRAE 188 is specifically targeted at controlling Legionella bacteria to prevent Legionnaires’ disease. In contrast, ASHRAE 514 takes a more comprehensive approach to managing a wider array of health and safety risks associated with building water systems. Both standards require the development of risk management plans, but ASHRAE 514 covers a broader range of potential hazards beyond Legionella.

Legionella Control Systems can support your facility’s conformance to both ASHRAE 188 and ASHRAE 514. Contact our water experts right now to learn more.