ASHRAE 188 standard designed to encourage innovation in Legionella testing

During a plenary session discussion at the AWT convention in Nashville, on the practical implementation of the ASHRAE 188 standard, AWT committee members intimated that the industry standard on Legionella control and risk management had been set up to deliberately encourage the introduction and use of innovative Legionella testing methods.

Although testing for Legionella is not mandated, verification and validation of the implementation of a plan is essential and it is expected that this should be done by testing. The committee stressed that the responsibility for Legionella risks in buildings and facilities rests with the owner. AWT members are seen as being in the front line of helping owners, who may not even know their responsibilities, in this regard to meet those responsibilities professionally.