“90% OF DOCUMENTED OUTBREAKS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH PROPER WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS.”

-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016

“1 OUT OF EVERY 10 PEOPLE WHO GET LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE WILL DIE FROM THE INFECTION.”

-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016

An NSF protocol to prevent legionellosis

COOLING TOWER WATER SYSTEM TREATMENT, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE

The development and implementation of a water management program for all building water systems is essential to mitigating potential hazardous conditions that can impact human health and well-being. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that many illnesses and fatalities associated with waterborne pathogens, like Legionella, could have been prevented with a proper water management plan.

NSF’s protocol for cooling tower water systems, NSF P453, helps building owners and managers operate and maintain cooling tower systems more safely and effectively. This NSF protocol describes specific steps in the development of a water management program and provides independent, third-party auditing to verify compliance to a building owner’s plan.

BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAMA properly designed, executed and independently audited water management program that meets the NSF protocol criteria provides operational benefits and contributes to public safety in the following ways:

> Controls the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, like Legionella, that can lead to illness or death

> Helps you operate and maintain your cooling towers more safely and efficiently to reduce costs

> Reduces risk and liability by monitoring and documenting your plan on a regular basis

> Assures your staff is trained and routinely audited to assure best practices are being followed

For more information, visit buildingwaterhealth.org or contact: +1.734.769.8010 or buildingwaterhealth@nsf.org.

NSF INTERNATIONAL 789 N. Dixboro Road | Ann Arbor, MI 48105 | www.nsf.org

LBW-7000-0917

Client submits application

to NSF

NSF provides site-specific

training

Client Team submits a

program plan to NSF

NSF evaluates the plan

Client team implements

plan to NSF P453

NSF conducts first on-site

audit

NSF conducts quarterly desk and site audits

WHAT IS THIS NSF PROTOCOL?NSF P453 outlines proper maintenance and safety practices associated with cooling tower water systems. It addresses potential hazardous conditions associated with cooling towers in commercial buildings, in health care facilities and on campuses. The protocol provides detailed, actionable steps for building owners and managers to maintain and operate their cooling tower systems to reduce the risk of Legionella amplification and transmission.

WHAT DOES THE PROTOCOL COVER?NSF P453 requires the building owner or manager to assemble a team of qualified individuals responsible for building maintenance and safety to develop a process flow diagram to identify potential hazardous conditions in their cooling tower systems. The team will identify critical control points, establish control measures at each point and establish corrective actions if routine monitoring shows the test results have moved outside of prescribed control limits. The team must ensure procedures are documented and followed for the safe operation and maintenance of the cooling tower system. NSF performs quarterly audits against the criteria of the protocol, which includes an annual on-site inspection as well as three remote audits. NSF audits confirm the program has been implemented as designed, the team continues to monitor and treat the system water, and the measures put in place have been effective at reducing the risk of Legionella growth and transmission.

WHO NEEDS THIS NSF PROTOCOL?Building owners and managers of facilities that have a cooling tower system can develop a water management program for cooling tower systems using the protocol and any pertinent state or local requirements. These parties need to monitor and document that the plan is fully implemented. NSF helps ensure that best practices for cooling tower system management are being followed by providing data collection tools and independent, third-party audits.

PROGRAM PROCESSUpon acceptance of a quote, NSF provides training and a third-party independent audit service against the criteria of the NSF P453. The process steps are as follows:

DELIVERABLE Following the completion of each quarterly audit, you receive detailed reports indicating your compliance to the protocol and any other pertinent regulations, detailing that you have taken the necessary steps to reduce hazards associated with your cooling tower system(s). The reports will serve as verification of your compliance to all pertinent requirements and to identify areas of improvement. The audits are an ongoing process that repeat each year.