One culprit behind outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease is often deferred maintenance, says Alan Wozniak, president of Pure Air Control Services.

Legionnaire's disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that can often be found in building water systems. The disease periodically makes headlines when a large outbreak occurs, but Legionnaire's disease is an ongoing risk for buildings. 

"In tough times, the maintenance budget gets cut," says Wozniak. Instead of maintaining equipment, organizations adopt a run-to-failure mentality. "A lot of bad things can happen when you do that," says Wozniak. He's seen trees growing out of cooling towers and thick goo in air handling units.

Wozniak advises facility managers to minimize deferred maintenance by using trained people to address maintenance proactively. "Bring in experts you can partner with," he says.

The new ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015, "Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems," is intended to help prevent Legionnaire's disease. Wozniak says the standard can be an important tool for facility managers to use to address the risk of Legionnaire's disease.

Pure Air Control Services, Inc. is a nationally recognized indoor environmental quality firm that offers a full range of professional solutions. For more information, visit www.pureaircontrols.com.