Standards Australia has refined its suite of standards protecting the community from the threat of legionnaires disease and other microbial organisms with four new standards addressing air handling and water systems in buildings.

The new Standards update AS/NZS 3666 (parts one, two and three, with a new part four).

The AS/NZS 3666 series relates to microbial control in air handling and water systems in buildings.

Parts one and two are referenced in the National Construction Code Volume 1 (Building Code of Australia) as the deemed to satisfy provision for design, commissioning operation and maintenance.

Parts three and four are performance based documents for maintenance. Part three covers cooling water systems, part four covers air handling systems.

“These standards are important for the control of microbiological matters, such as legionnaires disease, and will further safeguard the wider community,” said Standards Australia chief executive officer Colin Blair.

“The new standards improve what is already a very sound set of standards, to effectively manage the possible threat of legionnaires.

“The objective of the new Standard in the suite, AS/NZS 3666.4, is to provide a performance-based approach to air handling system maintenance to assist users in the control of microorganisms,” Blair said.

The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air-conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) were the proponent of the projects through Standards Australia’s project prioritisation process.

Chief executive officer of AIRAH, Phil Wilkinson, welcomed the publication of the standards as yet another step forward for the industry.

“These four important Standards represent best practice in managing the threat of legionnaires and microbiological control. The industry is pleased with the progress that has been made in standards development within a short amount of time,” Wilkinson said.

In collaboration with AIRAH, Standards Australia has a developed national seminar series on these new Standards to commence late November.

Visit www.airah.org.au for more information.