Part I: Emerging Trends Affecting Premise Plumbing

Part I of this two-part series explores emerging trends affecting indoor plumbing

The number of Legionnaires’ Disease cases reported to the United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has been rising for two decades. As the number of cases continues to grow, so does the need to manage the risks associated with indoor plumbing systems.

Legionella awareness has increased in recent years as several stakeholders have entered the discussion – government organizations, water utilities, health professionals, local jurisdictions, model code agencies, industrial organizations, manufacturers, engineers, academic scholars, Legionella consultants, water treatment experts, etc. These stakeholders hold conferences ab, attend seminars, establish standards, develop guidelines, establish best practices, write research, manufacture products, and implement model code changes.

Through the individual efforts of those involved, enough is known about the bacteria and their transmission to successfully control the growth in the sanitary systems of premises; However, given the continued increase in reported cases, it is clear that there is a need for a comprehensive implementation of control strategies involving multiple stakeholders.

Most of the resources and standards available focus solely on water management plans and actions taken by the facility’s operating personnel. While this is certainly a critical component of risk management, it overlooks the huge impact that comprehensive pipeline design can have in supporting key principles of water management. Design professionals are essential to managing risk. Before delving into how to deal with risks in system design, it is important to understand trends that affect the safety of indoor plumbing.

A perfect storm

The US is experiencing a perfect storm scenario. Both internal and external factors contribute to the increase in Legionnaires’ diseases.

1. Aging water supply infrastructure. There are approximately 240,000 waterline disruptions in the United States each year. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), old water pipes to repair and replace could cost more than $ 1 trillion over the next 20 years. The remaining effects of water line breaks include bacterial contamination and bacterial corrosion, resulting in a habitat favorable for the spread of waterborne pathogens. Until a new infrastructure is installed, water pollution in municipal water supply and house installation systems will continue to occur in the USA.
2. Widespread use of low flow fittings. Water use has changed dramatically since the US Energy Policy Act (1992) was implemented. This policy made the production and sale of low flow plumbing fixtures necessary to reduce water consumption. However, the industry standard sizing methods for water distribution pipes have not changed. As a result, drinking water supply and distribution systems are greatly oversized, creating an environment conducive to biofilm and bacterial growth.
3. Construction of water systems during COVID-19. Feeding the perfect storm is the extended vacancy and reduced occupancy that buildings are experiencing during the coronavirus pandemic. Repopulating a building with neglected water systems increases the likelihood of legionella transmission.
4. Increased complaints. With an increasing understanding of the causes of Legionella, the allegations of negligence and liability claims increase. With a standard of care set out in ANSI / ASHRAE Standard 188, a single Legionnaires’ Disease claim could cost negligent owners millions of dollars in litigation and settlement costs. In the case of the 2015 outbreak at the Veterans ‘Home of Quincy, Illinois, the victims’ families recently settled with the state of Illinois for nearly $ 6.4 million.
5. Insurance coverage. Insurance companies struggle against their coverage requirement as more and more lawsuits and claims are filed. Some insurers limit coverage or charge higher deductibles when building systems are out of date. Others ask customers to document how they maintain plumbing and cooling systems. This means that builders are exposed to major financial risks. It is important to note that allegations of negligence or liability are not the only ones affected. Engineers also face liability due to the widespread availability of industry research and recommendations on design strategies for Legionella control.
6. A water management program is still missing in many buildings. According to the CDC, nine out of ten Legionella outbreaks could be prevented through more effective water management. In June 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo calling on healthcare facilities to develop and adhere to an ANSI / ASHRAE Standard 188-compliant water management program to reduce the risk of Legionella in their water systems. While this requirement was a great first step in improving public health and safety, it shouldn’t stop there. Unfortunately, plant types outside of the CMS jurisdiction are not obliged to develop or adhere to a water management program. Without this requirement, the implementation of proven control strategies in a large number of building types is considerably more difficult.
7. Continuous increase in construction costs. Construction costs have increased by more than 5% every year since 2017. Architecture, engineering and construction teams are constantly being asked to evaluate cost-saving opportunities. Unfortunately, relentless pressures to cut costs make effective design concepts and innovative products designed to manage risk constantly susceptible to elimination from project design.

Plumbing design is essential for risk management

Effective management of risks associated with the construction of water systems requires the commitment of all stakeholders, from owners and operators to engineers and contractors. Installers play an essential role in creating safe and healthy buildings. In the second part of this article, we will review how plumbing engineers can implement basic design principles and implement comprehensive risk management strategies

References:

• Legionnaires’ Disease Increases in United States, National Reportable Disease Surveillance System
• U.S. insurers look to Legionnaires’ disease protective measures as buildings reopen after pandemic closings, Reuters, June 18, 2020.
• Construction analysis, edzarenski.com
• US EPA
• American Waterworks Association (AWWA)
• Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC)