2018 Version of Legionellosis Standard Now Available in Spanish

From eSociety, May 2019

Spanish-speaking engineers can now follow ASHRAE’s most up-to-date Legionellosis standard more easily, thanks to a new translation.

The Ecuadorian Technical Association of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ATEAAR) has translated Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems (Norma 188-2018 ASHRAE, Gestion de Riesgo para Construccion de Sistemas de Agua), into Spanish. The same group is responsible for the translation of Standard 211-2018, Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits.

Legionellosis is a worldwide issue, so it is important for Spanish-speaking consultants and engineers to follow these rules and improve their HVAC designs, said one translator, Eduardo Donoso, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE.

“It is an extraordinary guide that preeminently details the problem and proposes the solution. (It is) very useful for those who design systems that heat and cool water,” said Donoso.

The standard establishes minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. Standard 188 is for anyone involved in design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and service of centralized building water systems and components.

The standard describes environmental conditions that promote the growth of Legionella, and informative annexes and bibliography with suggestions, recommendations and references to additional guidance. The 2018 revision includes a clarification of compliance requirements and a comprehensive update to enforceable, code-intended language.

Donoso said a “relatively small” team translated the standard in about four months.

“As always, the surprises are in the terminology,” he said. “Spanish is a very varied language where there are several words or expressions to imply the same thing, with the aggravating circumstance that there are also expressions in some countries that are not used in others.”