What Plumbing Designers Can Do for Legionella Control

One of the best things plumbing designers can do to help control Legionella is to plan ahead—right from the start, when project specs and requirements are being written. Getting these details in early makes sure they don’t get missed or pushed out of scope later on.

Bringing in an ASSE 12880-certified engineer is also a great idea. They can help write specs that include a solid water management plan, and they’ve got the know-how to make sure the right requirements are included for your facility. Getting the scope right up front saves a lot of headaches down the road.

It’s also smart for plumbing designers to include Legionella testing during construction in their specs. This part is often forgotten, but construction can create new Legionella risks that can throw off your control efforts before the building is even open. Adding testing helps catch any issues early and keeps things on track.

Check out the sample specs below to get a sense of what these requirements might look like.

Water Management Plan for Construction

1.1 Scope

This section includes requirements for the development and implementation of a Legionella Water Management Program (WMP) to manage risks associated with building water systems during construction.

  • Applies to domestic hot and cold, potable and non-potable water systems, and other associated equipment that may pose a Legionella risk.
  • Qualified engineer shall be ASSE 12080 certified and have at least five years of experience in Legionella risk consulting.
  • Contact Legionella Control Systems, Inc.> at 888-416-8626 for consultation.

1.2 References

  • ASHRAE Standard 188-2021 – Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems
  • ASHRAE Guideline 12-2020 – Managing the Risk of Legionellosis
  • CDC Legionella Toolkit – Developing a Water Management Program

1.3 Submittals

  • Draft Water Management Plan (WMP) – submit during design development.
  • Final WMP – submit prior to project closeout and occupancy.
  • Building Water System Diagram – as-built schematic showing control locations.

1.4 Quality Assurance

  • Engage a qualified engineer (ASSE 12080 certified Legionella risk consultant) to lead the WMP development and implementation.
  • Consultant must demonstrate experience with WMPs in buildings of similar complexity.

2.1 Program Development and Implementation

The design and construction team shall coordinate with the ASSE 12080 WMP Engineer to:

  • Develop a comprehensive WMP addressing hot and cold, potable and non-potable water systems.
  • WMP shall be implemented through web-based software such as LAMPS.
  • Identify hazard points and control measures (e.g., temperature, disinfection).
  • Establish monitoring and corrective actions.
  • Include procedures for verifying control effectiveness.
  • Perform quarterly Legionella testing (minimum) for program validation.

2.2 Commissioning

  • Perform initial validation of system performance as defined in the WMP.
  • Conduct baseline Legionella testing.
  • Provide training for Owner’s personnel before final acceptance.

2.3 Post-Occupancy Handover

  • Deliver final WMP login credentials to the Owner.
  • Transition ownership and responsibility for ongoing WMP implementation.
  • Provide schedule for routine verification and control checks.

Download Sample Specs

If you’re preparing for a plumbing project, it’s critical to prioritize water safety from the start. Contact the experts at Legionella Control Systems for proven solutions to help reduce the risk of Legionella growth. Legionella Control Systems can help you with Legionella risk analysis, Water Management Programs, testing, and proactive mitigation through secondary disinfection systems.

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