Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/958383
48 / MARCH.APRIL.2018 USICERINKS.COM Preventing Legionnaire's Disease at Your Rink RINK ISSUES Condenser Water Quality I n Anaheim, California, a recent outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease was presumably linked to two of the cooling towers associated with air conditioning at the popular Disneyland theme park. While there is no definitive way to determine whether or not the cooling towers were to blame, 11 of the 15 people infected had visited the park recently. In addition, since the towers were shut down and disinfected, no further people have been diagnosed with the disease. Two of the 15 people infected died—although neither had visited the park. So what does that have to do with ice rinks? Most rinks have cooling towers as part of their chiller package to refrigerate their ice sheets. If left untreated, the water circulating in these towers would be susceptible to this bacteria growth. Because these towers circulate air which comes in direct contact with the warm water coming from the compressors in order to cool that water, any bacteria in the water could be transferred to the air in a mist form. That is then discharged out of the tower and into the atmosphere. Anyone breathing in this air could be infected with Legionnaire's Disease. This could be your employees, customers or neighbors. What is Legionnaire's Disease? Legionnaire's Disease is a form of pneumonia caused by any type of Legionella bacteria found naturally in both potable and non-potable water systems such as hot water tanks, hot tubs and cooling towers. It is usually spread by breathing in mist that contains the bacteria. Prevention depends on good maintenance of these types of water systems. Treatment of Legionnaire's Disease is with antibiotics, and hospitalization is often required. About 10 percent of those who are infected with the disease die. In August 2015, 16 people in the Lanaudiere-area of Quebec, Canada, contracted Legionnaire's Disease— resulting in the death of two—due to what health officials claimed may have been started at the local skating arena in nearby Berthierville. More recently, in April 2017, the ice arena in the Montreal suburb of Baconsfield closed for six weeks due to high levels of the Legionella bacteria, but no related illnesses were identified. So yes, this could happen in your rink, as well. So what can we do to prevent this bacteria growth? There are a number of companies that provide chemicals and/or cleaning services to ice rinks along with dispensing units that regulate the amount of additives needed. While you can do this yourself, they will also clean and disinfect your tower on a regular (annual or semi-annual) basis. Additionally, rink managers can refer to ANSI/ASHRAE 188, a set of standards established in 2015 entitled "Prevention of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems" (https://ashrae.iwrapper. com/ViewOnline/Standard_188-2015). Quoting from the document, "this standard provides minimum requirements for the…operation, maintenance, repair, replacement and expansion of new and existing building..." and includes a "building water management plan" such as the one suggested in the prior paragraph. So what are the ramifications if we don't have a water management plan or follow these standards? In addition to the possibility of making people sick or possible death, you would also be exposed to legal recourse that may not be covered by your liability and property insurance coverage. Generally, there is a "Fungi or Bacteria Exclusion" in most policies which would not cover the loss if it was determined that your facility was responsible. A call to your insurance representative would confirm this. While rare, it's important to protect yourself and facility from even the slightest possibility of Legionnaire's Disease. Be persistent in the maintenance and cleaning of your water and its towers, and prepare a water management plan to aid in the prevention. J by BEN RUGGLES, CIRM, PMP