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Legionellosis and
Legionnaires' Disease In Buildings
John Herbert
Buildings and their systems require regular inspection to ensure efficient and trouble free operation one risk often overlooked is the risk of hosting Legionella. Kelcroft's expertise helps building owners, conducting an audit of systems, particularly aqueous systems to ensure compliance with the latest guidance and codes of practice.
Legionella
Video
Legionella uses a particular method to infect
us, and grow in a protected environment, click
here to review a video to Legionella in action.
Cooling Tower Audit
Air conditioning systems increasing use cooling towers for heat
rejection, Kelcroft
undertakes audits cooling tower systems for EMSD compliance
and
uncovers energy saving opportunities...... learn
moreMitigate Your Risk
Building owners and operators have a fiduciary responsibility
to protect the general public, their staff and occupants from health
hazards - commission an independent audit...........click
here to learn how to mitigate your risk
Legionella Background
Legionella was discovered in 1976.... click here to learn more about the background of Legionella and Legionnaires DiseaseLegionella in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong Legionnaires' disease infection might be investigated by the HKSAR Government. Where unsatisfactory installations are noted system modifications, or replacement instructions will be issued.
Late compared to other countries HKSAR issued a code of practice in 2004, subsquently updated in 2007 and a Cooling Tower Code of practice in 2006.............click here to learn more about Hong Kong Legionella
Legionella in Neighborhoods, Buildings, and Other Water Systems
In November 2004, Kelcroft Director Mr John Herbert created an Legionella overview of global Legionnaires disease cases, based on the range of plant, equipment, and devices implicated with Legionnaires' disease amplification and dissemination.
Here is a link to schedule
created by John
Herbert
Kelcroft in 2004 providing a documented overview from past Legionella
outbreaks
click
here to view schedule Of Legionnaires Disease (Legionella)
Disseminators (PDF format, 3 pages, November 2004)
Water is a precious resource,
and contains Legionella from the natural
environment at very low concentrations, however it survives municipal
water treatment. Poor building systems, and maintenance provide the
breeding ground for rapid
multiplication.
Legionella Solutions
History has taught us that Prevention is better, and cheaper than cure.
Photograph:
Legionella Prevention Symposium
December 2003 [John
Herbert
Centre]
You can mitigate the risk using Kelcroft's expertise, we prepare a comprehensive Legionella Risk Management audit identifying and assessing the risk before your building or air-conditioning systems are closed down.
Why Conduct A Legionella Audit?
Without a risk assessment audit your business could crumble beneath you. Imagine a Legionella outbreak hits the headlines at your business, your customers evaporate, many will never return, it has happened before, and sadly it will happen again.
A businessman thought a decorative fountain would be a great addition for his restaurant lobby, however it was not maintained. A Legionella outbreak occurred, many of his customers fell ill. Weeks later, after the media hype subsided, his customers didn't return, they stayed away. The damage was already done, the business closed forever.
Water sources in old and new buildings provide the breeding ground for Legionella to thrive.
Kelcroft is one of the few organizations able to provide a comprehensive and practical audit of your Cooling Tower System, combining our auditing experience with a full understanding of how Cooling Tower Systems are designed, maintained and operated....... more
Hong Kong News
29 December 2011 - Legionella hits the front page news (unlinkable South China Morning Post, 29 December 2011). Micheal Suen, HKSAR Education chief contracted Legionnaires' Disease from the brand new Tamar Government offices. The newspapers report Legionella was isolated from the government building, but not his Happy Valley home.
Commentary: Early finger pointing towards an oversea hotel has been forgotten since Tamar tested positive, however the reports state that only 13 samples were taken. And no details of the sero typing were reported in the media.
31
August 2009
- The CHP (Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong) reports the number
of Legionnaires' Disease cases confirmed so far this year (between
Jan-Aug 2009) reached 29, that is the record ten year high.
Comment:
Each case has been reported as single instance, not an
outbreak.
However as experience overseas has demonstrated, these "isolated" cases
are the likely source of yet undiscovered Legionella clusters.
Legionella On-Site Checking
To learn about kelcroft's on-site checking and cooling tower water audit service click here
Before site
work commences the design of building systems, particularly
those with solar heating systems, can be checked by our experts.
Legionella Sources
Mechanical equipment and devices diseminate Legionella, have you idendified the risk? Here is a list of devices implicated with Legionella infections......... click hereWhat's next?
Next you might want to:- Order a risk assessment today +(852) 2335 9830
- Read Kelcroft's Legionella FAQ
- Contact Kelcroft by email
- Contact the Legionella interest group
- Read about Legionella in Hong Kong
- Find a Legionella risk assessor