Leiblein, T, Füchslin, HP, Keserue, HA, Tucker, MP and Hofer, S (2017) Risk management of water systems in residential homes : The ‘process’ of Legionella prevention. In: Research papers for 16th EuroFM Research Symposium . (European Facilities Management Conference, 25 April 2017 - 28 April 2017, Madrid, Spain).

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Abstract

In the present study data was collect and analysed to gain evidence for the present situation of Legionella risk management and prevention of water systems in different buildings in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. These buildings comprise retirement homes, care homes and dwellings for people with a disability. According to given legislation, standards and technical rules, duty holders are liable for the quality of drinking water distributed by the water system in a building. Showers represent a frequently used, aerosol-generating device in the domestic setting and have been proposed as a source of Legionnaires’ disease, caused by Legionella bacteria. This study investigated the prevalence of Legionella in showers which are recognised as a potential source of risk of contamination for users. During a field campaign, data from ten buildings were collected. Water was sampled from showers and analysed with reproducible sampling procedures. As a second source of data, information concerning technical specifications and operating parameters of the (hot) water systems and shower facilities was collected from the operating manager through a semi-structured questionnaire. Based on the microbiological results provided by the classical culture method, a Legionella contamination was detected in two objects. Three additional care facilities showed raised results according to a different method applied. Evaluation of the responses given in the questionnaire revealed that control functions and documentation seem to be either unsatisfactory within the institutions, or are missing completely. Although the small size of the sample in this study does not permit generalizable statements, the results provide a solid foundation upon which further investigations can be based.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Divisions:	Doctoral Management Studies (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Lyngby : Polyteknisk Forlag
Date Deposited:	02 Feb 2022 12:05
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2022 15:18
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16214

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