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NSF International and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will work together to develop a new standard for building water systems to protect people against bacterial diseases, such as Legionella.
The global public health organization and engineering association recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), dedicated to protecting public health. Legionella is a bacterium that thrives in warm water. Often found in human-made water systems, such as cooling towers, air-conditioning units for large buildings, hot tubs, large complex water systems (e.g. those found in hotels, hospitals, cruise ships and institutions), and decorative fountains.
The new standard is called NSF 444, Prevention of Injury and Disease Associated with Building Water Systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacterium is on the rise, with 8000 to 18,000 people hospitalized in the United States each year.
Due to poor water systems, water quality often degrades once entering buildings, thereby exposing occupants to hazards (e.g. microbial pathogens, toxic chemicals, and physical hazards). NSF 444 seeks to provide a methodology for the systematic analysis of building water systems and the application of control measures necessary to prevent harm and maintain public health.
“The development of NSF 444, and this MOU with ASHRAE, represents NSFs International’s commitment to helping ensure water quality in areas that impact human health,” said Jessica Evans, director of standards at NSF International. “NSF 444 is the first NSF standard to address building water quality and our working relationship with ASHRAE will help us contribute expertise to this important area of the water quality industry.”
Tim Wentz, ASHRAE president, said the MOU represents a commitment by both groups to emphasize the importance of managing safe building water systems.
“We hope to increase industry attention on this emerging public health issue and, ultimately, improve awareness and understanding,” Wentz added.
Public health and environmental organizations at state and federal levels, members of ASHRAE, private healthcare systems, academia, and those in the water industry are participating on the joint committee to develop this standard. It is expected to be released in 2017.
