November Chapter meeting

ASHRAE has been actively involved in providing information on Legionella since 1979 in response to the first Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in 1976 and the subsequent discovery by the CDC of the causative bacteria – Legionella. While Legionnaire’s disease has been known for many years, recent outbreaks have increased awareness of the disease, its causes, and prevention strategies. The CDC estimates 8-18 thousand cases per year, of which more than 10% are fatal. ANSI/ASHRAE 188 first published in June 2015 establishes minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. It applies to human-occupied commercial, institutional, multi-unit residential, and industrial buildings, excluding single-family residential buildings. It is intended for use by owners & managers of human-occupied building, excluding single-family residential buildings, and also for those involved in the design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance & service of centralized building water systems and components. This session provides an overview of Legionella bacteria, its source, how it is amplified, how it is transmitted, and who is susceptible. There will be a detailed look at the standard, the background on its development, and what is required for its application and adoption. Specific topics include the framework for legionella bacteria control measures, health care facility requirements, requirements for adopting a Water Management Program for specific devices such as cooling towers, ornamental fountains, spas, etc., elements of a Water Management Program, and design requirements. This presentation also includes a discussion of how COVID 19 precautionary measures can increase the risk of Legionnaire’s disease transmission.  Guest Speaker: Patricia T. Graef, P.E., LEED GA, ASHRAE Fellow Patricia Graef, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, LEED GA, retired from Munters Corp., Fort Myers, Fla. Patricia Graef has spent more than 40 years focusing on engineering and developing products that control temperature and moisture in building air as well as the water associated with the processes. Graef received her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida. IN the time Graef has worked for Munters, she has served as a Scientist in the cooling tower division, was the Director of Core Technology for the Air Treatment division and has more than a dozen international patents in her name.  Graef is a 45-year member of ASHRAE. In ASHRAE she is chair of the Residential Building Committee, has been a voting member of Guideline 12 Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems since 1995 and Standard 188 Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems since 2004. She has contributed to four ASHRAE handbook chapters including Water Treatment, Humidification, Evaporative Cooling, and Gas Turbine Inlet Cooling. Graef has shared with the HVAC industry her knowledge by contributing to ASHRAE Handbooks, standards writing, monitoring research projects, and program presentations. Graef is a recipient of ASHRAE’s Distinguished Service Award, Exceptional Service Award, and the Award for Distinguished Public service