Legionella Instruction
1. Purpose
To establish a specific program for combating legionella and to ensure the standard implementation of this program to prevent legionella risk.
2. Scope
Technical service, housekeeping
3. Responsibility
Technical service personnel, hotel staff (housekeeping personnel), garden responsible personnel, bath and sauna employees, other related personnel
4. Implementation
- Technical service personnel, hotel staff (housekeeping personnel), garden responsible personnel, bath and sauna employees, and other related personnel must receive training on legionella bacteria.
- Hotel manager and department managers must be appointed.
- Persons responsible for the application and monitoring of technical service, housekeeping, and garden must be determined.
- Maintenance – mechanical cleaning: According to the hotel's season duration and conditions, system maintenance and cleaning must be performed and controlled by the contracted company in accordance with specified specifications.
- All procedures must be recorded in detail and signed by the company and hotel officials.
- System protection: After the system is put into use, disinfection must be applied regularly and continuously.
- Heating and cooling waters must be conditioned with lime and corrosion inhibitors.
- Instructions related to temperature must be followed.
- Monitoring: Bacteriological, physiological, and chemical analyses must be performed regularly.
- Periodic Legionella water cultures must be conducted. The effectiveness of disinfection should be investigated. Indirect supervision of responsible personnel (proper use of products, temperature monitoring, post-interruption procedures, and other measures) must be ensured.
Additional Items to be Added
- Trainings received by responsible personnel, training participation forms
- Information of companies working for maintenance, agreements made
- Information of professional companies working on cleaning and disinfection (water softening tank, boiler, cooling tower, water tank, etc.), agreements made
- Ministry of Health permits for chemicals used, usage instructions, chemical product safety data sheets
- Permit documents of companies performing periodic analyses
- Results of performed analyses
Measures to be Applied for Prevention of Legionella
- Rooms
- Hot Water Tank (Boiler)
- Cold Water Tank (Water Reservoir)
- Cooling Tower
- Fancoil and Split Air Conditioners
- Water Softening Tank
- Jacuzzi
- Swimming Pool
- Ornamental Pool
- Turkish Bath
- Garden Irrigation, Fountains
- Ice Machine
1. Rooms
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Water from showers and taps | Should be run for 5 minutes. | Every day when unused |
| Hot water from taps | Should reach 50°C within 1 minute. Thermometers must be regularly calibrated. Values must be recorded on charts. | Daily |
| Cold water | Should be below 20°C within 1-2 minutes. Temperature checks must be done with thermometers. Thermometers must be regularly calibrated. Values must be recorded on charts. | Daily |
| Free chlorine control | Required chlorine level is 0.3-0.5 ppm | Daily |
| Disinfection of taps, shower heads, fixtures, sink and bathtub drains | Must be added to housekeeping cleaning charts. | Weekly |
| Descaling of taps and shower heads | Remove and clean the scale layer on the head and hose. Aerators, shower spirals, and internal parts must be completely removed and soaked in descaling solution. After descaling, if possible, wash in dishwasher. | Monthly |
Shower Head and Fixture Cleaning Instruction
- Purpose: To ensure proper cleaning of shower heads and fixtures.
- Scope: Covers all shower heads and fixtures in the hotel.
- Definitions:
- Responsible: Technical Manager, Housekeeping personnel
- Implementation:
- Filters that trap dirt inside shower heads and fixtures must be removed.
- If excessive deformation is present on removed surfaces, the equipment must be replaced.
- If equipment is not replaced, removed parts must be cleaned in descaling solution and soaked in 80°C hot water. (Thermal treatment in dishwasher is possible.)
Hot Water Tank (Boiler)
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler | Hot water tank outlet must be at least 60 °C. Charts must be regularly maintained. | Daily |
| Return water temperature to tank | Must be at least 50 °C. Charts must be regularly maintained. | Daily |
| Temperature of water from boiler inspection valve | Check if it reaches 50°C within one minute. | Daily |
| Blowdown of boilers | Must be performed. | Daily |
| Tank cleaning (removal of sediment and lime, disinfection) | If professional help is not obtained, clean according to instructions. | Every 3 months |
| Reuse of system after maintenance or repair | Water temperature must be kept at least 70 °C for 1 day. Water must be run from all hot water taps for 5 minutes. | As needed |
| Thermal disinfection | The boiler or heating water system must be operated to heat all water to 60°C for one hour, all taps opened to allow water at 60°C to flow for at least 5 minutes each. Traceable heating must be applied to dead ends and system endpoints. | As needed |
Blowdown System in Steam Boilers
Steam production in boiler water and addition of makeup water cause unwanted accumulation and increased concentration. To prevent this and related damages, a certain amount of boiler water is discharged, called blowdown.
Blowdown should be performed during hours of lowest steam production. For boilers operated during daily working hours, the best blowdown practice is to monitor the boiler level glass in an environment where pressure is 2.0 - 2.5 Bar (gauge) at boiler inlet and outlet, and discharge water until the level drops to 10.0 - 12.0 mm.
When blowdown is applied with a combination of a blowdown valve and a globe valve, first open the blowdown valve (quick opening and closing valve), then perform blowdown with the globe valve (gate valve).
Proper blowdown regime prevents the following issues:
- Sludge can be discharged without baking or hardening via blowdown water.
- Conductivity and concentration of boiler water can be controlled.
- Scale formation and corrosion on heat transfer surfaces are prevented.
- Foaming and swelling are prevented, avoiding transport of water and solid particles into the system.
- Surface tension of boiler water is reduced, increasing steam efficiency.
- Scale and corrosion prevention extends boiler life.
- Heat loss is prevented by using blowdown water heat to warm makeup water, etc.
- Increase in boiler water concentration raises boiling point, causing heat loss.
Boiler Cleaning Instruction
- Purpose: To ensure proper cleaning of boiler tanks.
- Scope: Covers all boiler tanks in the hotel.
- Definitions:
- Responsible: Technical Manager
- Implementation:
- Do not start without wearing protective clothing, gas mask, gloves, boots!
- Drain existing water inside hot water tanks first to remove sediment and dirt.
- Perform mechanical cleaning with brush and water.
- Rinse inside the tank with water.
- If painting is needed, ensure it is done.
- If interior painting of boilers is required, seek professional help. If doing it yourself, take necessary precautions.
- After cleaning and painting, close the tank lid, vent air, and fill with water.
- Close cold water inlet, hot water inlet circulation, and hot water outlet valves; open boiler circulation and raise internal temperature to 70°C.
- Maintain this temperature for 1 day; no hot water should be supplied during this period.
Obtaining professional help for boiler cleaning is the healthiest practice.
Cold Water Tank (Water Reservoir)
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Water reservoir | Water temperature in the tank must be below 20 °C. Charts must be regularly maintained. | Daily |
| Free chlorine level measurement | Required chlorine level: minimum 0.5 ppm. Charts must be regularly maintained. | Daily |
| Chlorine dosing pumps control | Daily | |
| Inspection of water tanks, pipes, and insulation | When opening and closing valves from the hatch, ensure no dirt enters inside. | Monthly |
| Tank cleaning (removal of sediment and lime, disinfection) | If professional help is not obtained, clean according to instructions. | Twice a year |
Cold Water Tank Cleaning Instruction
- Purpose: To ensure proper cleaning of cold water tanks.
- Scope: Covers all cold water tanks in the hotel.
- Definitions:
- Responsible: Technical Manager
- Implementation:
- Do not start without wearing protective clothing, gas mask, gloves, boots!
- Perform mechanical cleaning with water and brush.
- Remove coarse dirt from the tank.
- Pour 0.5 liters of pool chlorine into 20 liters of water and apply this mixture with a soft brush to all surfaces of the tank including walls and floor.
- Wait 1 hour for chlorine to act.
- Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water and exit the tank.
- Start filling the tank with water, adding 25 grams of pool chlorine per 1 m³ of water into the tank during filling.
- If acid was used in the tank, never use chlorine.
Obtaining professional help for tank cleaning is the healthiest practice.
Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers
Cooling towers can be divided into open and closed circuit types.
Closed circuit cooling tower: The process fluid to be cooled (water circulating in the chiller circuit) is not in direct contact with air. The water is inside pipes. The secondary circuit water, which wets the pipes and contacts air, is much less than in open circuit cooling towers. Usually, there is no external piping in the secondary circuit. Water circulates entirely inside the device.
Open circuit cooling tower: One of the most suitable environments for bacterial growth. Water in the basin is pumped to the condenser. As water passes through the condenser, it absorbs heat from the refrigerant and flows back from the top of the cooling tower to the basin. During flow, water slowly passes through droplet eliminators to the basin while the fan above the tower provides airflow upwards through the eliminators, evaporating water to cool it. During this process, aerosolized water is sprayed into the environment with counterflow air.
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling Tower | Cleaning and disinfection charts must be regularly maintained. Cooling towers/evaporative condensers, feed tanks, and all systems including all wetted surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected. Lime scraping is also necessary. Tower materials must be cleaned and free of scale. Professional help must be obtained for cleaning. | Every 6 months |
| Routine operational maintenance | Central control function, conductivity sensor calibration, blowdown function, water distribution system order, spray/gutter condition, eliminators, tower materials, tanks, immersion heaters, fans, and silencers must be checked. | Monthly or every 3 months (depending on risk) |
Fancoil and Split Air Conditioners
Water accumulation in condensation trays of fancoils caused by drainage problems poses a risk for all microorganisms transmitted via respiratory tract. This system must be cleaned periodically and disinfected with a long-acting slow-release biocide to prevent biological clogging.
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Fancoil | Cleaning and disinfection charts must be regularly maintained. | Every 6 months |
| Tablet (non-oxidising biocide) | Every 6 months |
Water Softening Tank
Soft water is one of the measures to prevent Legionnaires' disease.
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Water Softening Tank | Salt tanks must be emptied and mechanical cleaning performed. | Monthly (as needed) |
| Cleaning and disinfection charts | Must be regularly maintained. Professional help is required for cleaning the tank body and resin of water softening tanks. | At manufacturer recommended intervals |
Jacuzzi and Hot Water Pool
These pools, which can be used for therapeutic purposes, pose a risk because water is sprayed into the pool. Pools must be continuously conditioned with disinfection (chlorine).
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Jacuzzi | Free chlorine, pH, and temperature must be measured. Charts must be regularly maintained. Required chlorine level: Required pH: 7.2-7.6 If pH is below 7.2, rapid chloramine formation may cause eye irritation and rapid chlorine loss. If pH is above 7.6, disinfection effect decreases, eye irritation, skin dryness, cloudy water, and lime scale formation occur. Maximum allowed temperature is 40°C, ideal: 35-37 °C If temperature is too low, users may not like it. If temperature is too high, chlorine use increases, users feel discomfort, evaporation increases, and lime scale potential rises. | |
| Backwashing of filters and sand filters | 3 times daily | |
| Disinfection of entire system | Weekly |
Swimming Pool
Pool maintenance instructions should be prepared according to the chemical supplier's products. Corrective action plans should be created for potential pool problems.
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming Pool | Free chlorine, pH, and temperature must be measured. Charts must be regularly maintained. Required chlorine level: (In open pools, chlorine levels vary more during the day due to evaporation compared to indoor pools.) Required pH Required temperature | |
| Backwashing of filters and sand filters | 3 times daily | |
| Control of dosing pumps | Daily | |
| Cleaning and disinfection of filter sand | Every 6 months | |
| Cleaning and disinfection of overflow tanks | Every 6 months |
Ornamental Pool, Fountains, and Sprinklers
Water droplets dispersed in the air, especially those 5 microns and smaller, pose a risk. These pools must have continuous circulation and disinfection similar to swimming pools.
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Ornamental Pool, Fountain, Sprinklers | Cleaning and disinfection charts must be regularly maintained. Clean pools, spray heads, and feed tanks, and remove scale layers if necessary. | According to system condition |
Turkish Bath
| Control Point | Application | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish Bath | All surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected. | Daily |
| Water running from taps and showers in the bath area | 5 minutes | When not in use |
| Water must not be left in basins. This must be checked. | Daily, at end of day | |
| Disinfection of taps, shower heads, fixtures, sink and bathtub drains | Must be added to housekeeping cleaning charts. | Weekly |
| Descaling of taps and shower heads | Remove and clean the scale layer on the head and hose. Aerators, shower spirals, and internal parts must be completely removed and soaked in descaling solution. After descaling, if possible, wash in dishwasher. | Monthly |
Bath Cleaning Instruction
- Purpose: To ensure proper cleaning of the Turkish bath.
- Scope: Covers the Turkish bath in the hotel.
- Definitions:
- Responsible: Housekeeping department managers and staff
- Implementation:
- Remove drain covers.
- Perform mechanical cleaning of all surfaces, drains, drain covers, and basins with brush and detergent. Rinse detergent thoroughly with water.
- Pour 1 liter of pool chlorine into 20 liters of water and apply this mixture with a soft brush to all surfaces of the bath including drains and basins.