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BEAM P
LUS FOR
E
XISTING
B
UILDINGS
I
NDOOR
E
NVIRONMENTAL
Q
UALITY
(I
EQ
)
V
ERSION
1.2
I
EQ
3 B
IOLOGICAL
C
ONTAMINATION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 113
6
IEQ
6.2
H
YGIENE
I
EQ
3 B
IOLOGICAL
C
ONTAMINATION
E
XCLUSIONS
Residential buildings.
O
BJECTIVE
Ensure that the design, installation and facilities for operation and
maintenance of air conditioning systems, and water systems and
features, are such as to reduce the risk of biological contamination.
C
REDITS ATTAINABLE
1
P
REREQUISITES
None.
C
REDIT REQUIREMENT
1 credit for complying with the recommendations given in the Code of
Practice - Prevention of Legionnaires Disease, in respect of air-
conditioning and ventilation systems, and water systems.
A
SSESSMENT
The Client shall submit a report prepared by a suitably qualified person
detailing how the operation and maintenance of the air-conditioning and
ventilation systems and equipment meet with the requirements and
recommendation contained in the Code of Practice - Prevention of
Legionnaires Disease [1], or at least equal equivalent code. The report
shall also detail how water supply, particularly hot water supply, and
water use in features such as spas, fountains, etc., are operated and
maintained in compliance with the Code or Practice, or equivalent.
B
ACKGROUND
Most cases of legionnaires' disease (LD), are caused by the bacterium
Legionella pneumophila, but there are many other species of the
organism which have been implicated in human disease, but other milder
illnesses may be caused by these organisms. All illnesses due to
legionella species are known collectively as 'legionelloses'; Pontiac Fever
is one of the milder conditions. Legionella pneumophila is found in
natural water supplies and in soil. It is also found in many recirculating
and water supply systems.
Measurements in a building may reveal problems with biological
contamination caused by either air-conditioning and ventilation systems,
or water systems. BEAM requires the confirmation that the operation and
maintenance of systems and equipment is such as to reduce the
possibility of problems arising.
1
Prevention of Legionnaires’ Disease Committee, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong Government.
Code of Practice for the Prevention of Legionnaires’ Disease in Hong Kong.
http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/e_download/pps/code.doc