The outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Victoria this week is a tragic reminder of the importance of servicing and maintaining critical building infrastructure in accordance with standards and best practice guidelines.
The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of Australia Limited (AMCA Australia) is the peak national body representing businesses in Australia’s commercial HVAC industry, and AMCA CEO Scott Williams believes that doing the right thing is critical to ensuring the health of the population living in buildings using HVAC systems.
“As the peak national body representing businesses operating in Australia’s commercial HVAC industry, AMCA Australia is confident that Australia’s system of regulations and standards governing the service and maintenance of cooling towers, and of HVAC systems more broadly, are world-class and highly robust, and the technicians performing these functions are highly trained experts,” he said.
“Proper maintenance of cooling towers including regular inspections, water treatment, cleaning, and monitoring – all contained in the relevant regulations and standards – are crucial steps in preventing public health risks.”
The outbreak has been linked to cooling towers in metropolitan Melbourne, and health authorities are cautiously optimistic that it is isolated and now contained. However, as the circumstances surrounding the outbreak are still unclear, further information is required to determine the exact cause.
Cooling towers are vital components in many HVAC systems, providing heat exchange to maintain comfortable temperatures in commercial and industrial buildings. However, they require diligent maintenance to function safely and efficiently, as they can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria if not properly maintained.
Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water and can be dispersed into the air through water droplets, posing significant health risks. Neglecting maintenance can lead to serious health risks, including outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease caused by the Legionella bacteria.
“We are confident that the extensive regulation of the HVAC sector is effective in maintaining public safety – however, this tragic incident is a timely reminder of the critical role that HVAC systems play in public health,” Mr Williams said.
Despite such significant events being extremely rare, building operators and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) service and maintenance technicians that maintain critical building infrastructure are urged to remain vigilant regarding cooling towers.
In addition to the critical maintenance of cooling towers, all HVAC systems must be designed, installed, and maintained in strict accordance with relevant standards such as AS 3666, which outlines the requirements for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of cooling water systems. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties and legal liabilities. Other relevant standards include AS 3500, AS 1668, AS 2913, and AS 4254.
“We encourage building managers to use reputable and highly trained HVAC service and maintenance technicians. By choosing an AMCA Australia member company, you are engaging a business that upholds the highest safety, quality and sustainability standards,” Mr Williams said.
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