Legionella in Plumbing Systems: Protecting Occupants and Reducing Legal Risk
A one-day seminar offered by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)

This course described below was conducted June 17, 2004. It has been replaced with online training courses. Please go to our homepage for information online training.

This intensive full-day workshop will provide background facts that plumbing professionals need to know about Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella bacteria, and specific Legionella control recommendations for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of plumbing systems. Disinfection methods will also be examined.

• Plumbing engineers and contractors 

• Plumbing contractors

• Plumbing code officials

• Plumbing inspectors

• Facility managers and engineers

• Maintenance personnel

• Technicians

Why Attend? Top

• Enhance your credentials and competence.

• Protect people from illness.

• Gain knowledge that will help avoid lawsuits and reduce legal risk.

• Save money by knowing exactly what to do and what not to do.

• Improve codes and policies.

• Increase professional networking opportunities.

• Enhance the organization’s professionalism and credibility.

• Learn up-to-date preventive measures to include in specifications and policy manuals.

• Improve your career opportunities.

• Obtain Continuing Education Credits.

Comments About Similar Courses Taught by Freije Top

“The speaker made it applicable & appropriate for all levels of experience. He didn’t talk at a level over your head.” Melissa Freedman, Plumbing & HVAC engineer, Detroit

“Information was helpful in educating how to prevent colonies—especially in piping design with deadlegs.” Michael Wenczkowski, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

“This course is an excellent resource for hospital management and their consultants.” Joe Ficek, Grumman/Butkus Associates, Evanston, Ill.

"I would recommend this to all of my colleagues!” Joe Russell, President, Watertech of America Inc., Hales Corners, Wisc.

“Very good presentation – I feel much more confident to evaluate potential Legionella risk.” Walter Tyler, Technical Director, Cascade Water Services, Hicksville, N.Y.

“Very informative and worthwhile – Good Job!” Douglas Lowe, Plumbing engineer, Detroit  

“The research and real world experience were very beneficial.” Frank Lloyd, Technical Specialties Corporation, Atlanta, GA

Course Outline Top

Background Information

• Facts about Legionnaires' disease and Legionella

• Government and industry guidelines

• Risk reduction strategies

Lawsuits Related to Legionnaires’ Disease

• Prevalence

• Critical factors in cases

• Examples

• Issues related to plumbing design and installation

Preventive Measures

• Legionella vs. other pathogens

• Overall objectives

• Water temperatures: myths vs. facts

• Mixing valves: strategies; comparisons

• Dead-legs: examples and remedies

• Policies to implement

• Air chambers and water hammer arrestors

• Maintenance procedures

• Operating guidelines

• Good and bad plumbing design

• Hot water tanks: piping, sizing and maintenance

• Purchasing hot water tanks

• Instantaneous water heaters

• Eyewash stations and emergency showers

• Equipment piped to the system: ice machines; coffee makers; soda dispensers, etc.

• Water filters

• Policies for idle areas

• Checking water quality

• Preparing for potable water disruptions

• Special provisions for home plumbing systems

Disinfecting Domestic Water Systems

• Temporary vs. continuous methods

• Situations requiring system-wide disinfection

• Comparison of temporary methods (hot water, chlorine, chlorine dioxide)

• When not to use temporary methods

• Is a continuous system needed? What to consider before spending money

• Focal vs. systemic methods

• Advantages and disadvantages of....

  • Hot water flushes

  • Chlorination

  • Ultraviolet light

  • Ozone

  • Copper-silver ionization

  • Chlorine dioxide

  • Monochloramine

• Smart buying: what to look for; what to ask

• Case studies: selecting the best method for the situation

We will also show television news clips covering outbreaks and prevention.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)  Top

This course qualifies for 0.6 CEUs according to the guidelines set forth by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). 

Many licensing boards and professional societies may grant continuing education credit for this seminar toward specific credential requirements if you submit the course outline and your Certificate of Attendance.