How to reduce the risk of legionella

Anthony Barnett of Armacell looks at the health benefits of using closed-cell insulation, including reducing the risk of legionella.

Legionnaries’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that is transmitted through pathogens in water. Common sources of infection include contaminated air-conditioners, swimming pools and cooling towers, with estimates varying between 10,000 and 20,000 cases each year.

The disease is contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets, which can be created by hot and cold water outlets, atomisers, showers and wet air conditioning plant.

The bacteria multiplies where water temperatures sit between 20-45°C and nutrients are available. However, legionnaires’ bacteria is dormant below 20°C and cannot survive above 60°C. 

The risk of legionella therefore rises during the summer period as water stagnates in the pipes and the water temperatures rise, making HVAC and plumbing systems an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

Legionnaires’ bacteria is a particular concern in hospitals schools and care homes, as it usually affects those who are old, have pre-existing conditions or suffer with immunosuppression.

100% insulation

One of the most effective measures for reducing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease is to insulate both hot and cold water pipes using suitable materials, as poorly chosen insulation can result in the HVAC system operating in optimum conditions for the bacteria to breed.

To tackle this issue, it is important to ensure that water circulates continuously through the pipework and does not drop below 45°C in hot water pipes. Likewise, water in cold water pipes should not rise above 40°C.

Cold water pipes should also be protected against heat gain by ensuring sufficient clearance or preferably by insulating properly. Similar requirements apply for hot water pipes to protect them against heat loss.

When hot and cold pipes are laid in one duct or wall cavity, or wherever water is not circulated regularly, it is recommended that ‘100% insulation’ is used.

100% insulation is where the insulation thickness corresponds to the pipework outer diameter. On hot water pipes, this helps to prevent legionella and protects the pipes against unnecessary energy losses. On cold water pipes, 100% insulation offers protection against freezing in cold weather conditions and provides protection against unwanted temperature rises.

Specifying the correct insulation material also prevents condensation. Armacell recommends closed-cell insulation for this as it offers a high resistance to water vapour diffusion, making it ideal for use on cold drinking water pipes. 

In practice accidental damage to insulation has shown that open-cell insulation materials do not prevent moisture ingress as a result of diffusion.

This means that there is a risk of airborne water vapour penetrating the insulation, condensing and saturating the insulation material. As the material dampens, the thermal conductivity increases and insulation properties deteriorate, causing greater energy losses. In addition, corrosion and other damages can also occur.

Closed-cell insulation

Closed-cell insulation with anti-microbial protection is proven to prevent unwanted increases or decreases in water temperature. The closed-cell material structure of the insulation also prevents energy losses, moisture ingress and the subsequent corrosion of heating and plumbing pipework.

This makes it ideal in the prevention of legionnaires’ disease. 

Armacell
Mars Street
Oldham
Oldham
Lancashire
OL9 6LY
UK

0161 287 7000

Visit Armacell's website

Visit Supplier's page