BSEE-MAY21-P10 Comment_Layout 1 19/04/2021 11:49 Page 10
BSEE
It is now more common to read about cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in the media than ever before, with outbreaks regularly being reported in cities around the world all the time. Many of these cases are attributed to contamination of domestic systems, showers and spas, but some are the result of operating cooling towers.
From data available via the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in their Annual Epidemiological Report 2018, there were 10,672 cases of Legionnaires’ Disease across Europe. Germany, France, Italy and Spain accounted for 71% of the cases, with UK cases only accounting for 5%. Outbreaks in the UK in fact are becoming more and more infrequent, which has led to the question, why is this not the case elsewhere?
Mark Donoghue, Products and Services Director, DHD Cooling
been at the forefront in leading the battle with Legionnaires’ Disease, which has a mortality rate of approximately 10%. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) worked with manufacturers and industry experts to issue the Approved Code of Practice L8 in 1991 which advised manufacturers, owners, operators and service providers on the use of cooling systems (and domestic water systems) and their safe operation with regards to legionella bacteria.
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To bolster its fluid analysis capabilities, which helps construction businesses all over the UK avoid downtime from machine breakdowns, Finning UK & Ireland opened applications for its brandnew Laboratory Technician degree apprenticeship scheme. The role will be based at Finning’s laboratory in Leeds.
Apprentice. The three-year programme will provide an opportunity for school leavers to complete a fully funded level 5 foundation degree from Leeds Metropolitan College, graduating with no student debt. Laboratory Technician degree apprentices will be paid a living wage and gain construction industry knowledge and experience alongside their academic studies, to help them with their future careers. The apprenticeship focuses on developing a broad set of skills by assisting full-time Laboratory Technicians, carrying out testing, performing calibrations and routine instrument maintenance. “Fluid analysis is not a well-known career path in construction industries and this is something we want to change,” commented Marsha Myles, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at Finning UK & Ireland. “Behind the scenes laboratory work is vital in the construction industry, because it tells us and our customers about faults with equipment that we can use to prevent costly, unexpected breakdowns.
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“Finning is an equal-opportunities employer and we would love to receive applications from underrepresented groups in STEM,” continued Myles. “We have been reaching out to local schools to help promote STEM apprenticeships as potential career options. Laboratory Technician is an important and rewarding career choice and we are proud to have created this exciting opportunity for young people.”
10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2021
hilst this problem is not new, with the first reported case in
Philadelphia in 1976, the UK has
Tackling legionella bacteria
In the UK, the HSE has led the drive to reduce the incidence of legionella bacteria in water systems with their two documents, ACoP-L8 and more recently HSG274 Pt1. This has seen the numbers of cases within the UK become the lowest of the main manufacturing nations of Europe. Legionella bacteria exists in fresh water so can be introduced into cooling systems through the make-up water line if the water is not treated. Added to that, when given the right conditions - water temperatures between 20℃and 45℃, stagnation in pipes, accumulation of dirt or scale, sunlight, and a food source - it can multiply to dangerous levels within a water system. When contaminated water is introduced
INDUSTRY COMMENT UK leading the fight against Legionella Bacteria
into a stream of air, the bacteria can become airborne which is known as drift, and if this is inhaled, it can become a serious risk to health. There are several ways of tackling the issue of legionella in cooling systems, and these should be used in conjunction with each other to comply with the HSE’s guidance. • The cooling system (the cooling tower and everything associated with it) should be designed so that risks of bacterial growth are minimised. This covers actions such as the removal of dead-legs in the pipework, designing the system so that it is easy to clean and maintain, using materials of construction that are not
favourable to bacterial growth and minimising the release of drift.
• Legionella can be introduced from the water inlet, so treatment of the system is needed. This will typically involve dosing the system with biocides that kill the bacteria, corrosion inhibitors to limit corrosion (which can act as a food source) and scale inhibitors which prevent build-up that provides a protective layer and prevents the biocides from working effectively.
• Physical maintenance is crucial, and comes in the form of cleaning debris and ensuring contamination is removed from the system and the heat exchange media. It also involves reviewing the system to
ensure that the correct materials are installed to minimise the risk of legionella and that they are working correctly. Preventative measures such as painting the internals of systems can also help stop process water coming into contact with the corrosion and can extend the life of the system.
Legionnaires’ Disease is
still a very real threat Keeping cooling equipment operating safely is not the same as making sure your equipment operates effectively. Owners of cooling systems should not be complacent with keeping their equipment clean and maintained, as bacteria is still a very real possibility in cooling systems.
Legionella bacteria is naturally present in water and in the right conditions can proliferate, so it is important to minimise the risk of this occurring by implementing controls in the form of good system design, effective water treatment and monitoring, cleaning and maintenance of the system using qualified suppliers. If these measures are followed the control of legionella is achievable and organisations are on their way to becoming responsible users of cooling systems and helping to keep the UK as the pioneers in the fight against Legionnaires’ Disease.
TRAINING COMMENT
Finning launches new Laboratory Technician degree apprenticeship
hile Finning has offered engineering apprentice schemes for years, it has diversified by introducing the non-engineering role of Laboratory Technician
About Finning UK & Ireland
Finning UK & Ireland is part of Finning International – the world’s largest dealer of Cat® machines, engines, equipment and power solutions. Finning has a recognised track record in delivering solutions to a diverse range of industries including mining, quarrying, building and construction, marine, power generation, industrial OEM and oil and gas.
Whether new or used equipment, high volume repeat orders or custom-built packages, the solutions Finning supplies have been tried, tested and proven in installations around the world. With a broad product support infrastructure and unmatched service capabilities, Finning delivers solutions that enable customers to achieve the lowest equipment owning and operating costs while maximising uptime.
Headquartered in Cannock, Staffordshire, Finning has a network of branches across the UK & Ireland with trained specialists on hand to provide the right solution for companies.
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www.bsee.co.uk
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