The Construction Industry Underestimates Legionella

19 September 2017

Because the construction industry continues to systematically underestimate the dangers of Legionella, dozens of people die unnecessarily every year. That’s according to a study by ISSO, the knowledge institute for the installations sector, as reported by the AD.

Due to noncompliance with regulations, many new homes and buildings are not Legionella-resistant: cold and hot water pipes are often installed in the same shaft and regularly cross each other, even though this is prohibited by law.

Irene van Veelen, project coordinator at ISSO, said in a statement to the AD that practical guidelines for separating cold and hot zones are rarely followed. “Once a building has been structurally laid out, deviating from the guidelines is sometimes unavoidable.”

Furthermore, unnecessary sections of piping are not removed but “capped off,” creating dead ends. This is an ideal environment for Legionella bacteria, which thrive in stagnant water at temperatures between 25 and 45 degrees. Legionella claims twenty to thirty lives per year in the Netherlands.

According to Van Veelen, more attention needs to be paid to the dangers of Legionella. “Considering the number of fatalities and the lasting impact of an infection on a person’s health, much greater awareness, attention, and monitoring are warranted.” ISSO wants drinking water companies to conduct more inspections, including during construction. Installers, contractors, and architects should also collaborate more closely.

Source:ANP/AD

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