TP22-22: Importance of Laboratory Accreditation for Legionella Validation Testing

ASHRAE introduced ASHRAE/ANSI Standard 188-2015 at the end of June 2015, just before a significant Legionella outbreak in New York City. Since then, CTI has published Guideline 159 and ASHRAE has revised Guideline 12-2000. In the 2018 revision of Standard 188, there was a language change in Appendix C, requiring labs performing routine microbiological testing of water samples to be accredited to a national or international standard. Such testing is an important component of the validation of a water management program. Understanding the significance of laboratory accreditations is a key aspect when choosing a facility for validation testing. This paper will discuss the accreditation options available to laboratories, and the requirements that must be met to achieve each accreditation.