HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Preventing and Mitigating Legionnaires' disease


Listen Later

We talk with chemical and cleaning expert Ray Field on Legionnaires' disease. We discuss what it is, its history, and what we can do to prevent it proactively.

Cooling towers host all kinds of microorganisms, including harmful bacteria like Legionella. Legionella is a natural bacteria that you can find in bodies of freshwater, including lakes, but it was discovered relatively recently, in the 1970s. We become susceptible to Legionnaires' disease when we inhale droplets that contain Legionella. Legionnaires' disease causes pneumonia-like symptoms and is potentially fatal. Cooling towers, unfortunately, provide perfect conditions for Legionella to survive and aerosolize. Decorative fountains and evaporative coolers also provide ideal conditions for Legionella to grow and thrive.

Unsurprisingly, cleaning with special attention to microbe control helps mitigate Legionella bacteria growth. Bleach and anti-microbial peroxide help keep the water clean, but the bulk water is just one part of the system. When Legionella-filled water sprays beyond the tower, slime and water accumulations may also harbor Legionella.

Inspecting and cleaning towers monthly are the best practices. Vacuum the basin and descale the tower each time you clean the tower; when you clean slime, deposits, and scale, you give Legionella fewer places to hide. You can also disinfect the tower exterior. Pressure-washing works well as a starting point and can be followed up with chemical technology. Overall, the key to preventing Legionnaires' disease is proactivity; safety begins with a regular maintenance regimen, use of proper PPE, and thorough training for cleaning procedures.

Ray and Bryan also discuss:

  • Legionella growth assistance
  • History of Legionnaires' disease
  • Ideal Legionella growth conditions
  • ASHRAE Standard 188P
  • Fill deposits
  • Goodway products to combat Legionella
  • Legionella testing and CDC guidelines
 

Learn more about Goodway HERE.

Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsBy Bryan Orr

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

985 ratings


More shows like HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

View all
The Ramsey Show by Ramsey Network

The Ramsey Show

38,668 Listeners

The EntreLeadership Podcast by Ramsey Network

The EntreLeadership Podcast

4,340 Listeners

The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber by Tom Reber

The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

408 Listeners

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast by Fine Homebuilding Magazine

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

771 Listeners

Zack's Shop Talk by Zack Psioda

Zack's Shop Talk

152 Listeners

Building HVAC Science by Bill Spohn

Building HVAC Science

71 Listeners

The Home Service Expert Podcast by Tommy Mello: $200 Million Founder|Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur Columnist

The Home Service Expert Podcast

721 Listeners

HVAC Know It All Podcast by Gary McCreadie

HVAC Know It All Podcast

208 Listeners

Hvac Uncensored by Gil Cavey

Hvac Uncensored

112 Listeners

HVAC Tech Tips by CE

HVAC Tech Tips

16 Listeners

AC Service Tech Answers Podcast by Craig Migliaccio

AC Service Tech Answers Podcast

89 Listeners

Waste No Day: A Home Services Motivational Podcast by Brian Burton & Nate Minnich

Waste No Day: A Home Services Motivational Podcast

468 Listeners

The Build Show Podcast by Matt Risinger

The Build Show Podcast

359 Listeners

The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast by Trevor Matthews

The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast

29 Listeners

Did You Know?-The ESCO HVAC Podcast by ESCO Institute

Did You Know?-The ESCO HVAC Podcast

6 Listeners