{"id":1289,"date":"2025-11-22T10:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T10:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qubus.le-an.net\/?post_type=q-blog-beitrag&#038;p=1289"},"modified":"2026-09-23T07:05:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T07:05:58","slug":"legionella-regulation","status":"publish","type":"q-blog-beitrag","link":"https:\/\/qubus.le-an.net\/en\/q-blog\/legionellenverordnung\/","title":{"rendered":"What exactly is the Legionella Regulation \u2013 and does it apply to my system?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column q-kasten is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key points at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The 42nd BImSchV (\u201eLegionella Ordinance\u201d) has applied to evaporative cooling systems, cooling towers and wet separators since 2017. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This primarily affects businesses that use water at elevated temperatures, such as electroplating and paint shops with wet scrubbers. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operators must register their installations, carry out regular sampling, keep records and take immediate action if limit values are exceeded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Germany, too, there are repeated outbreaks of Legionella, particularly caused by the bacterial species <em>Legionella pneumophila<\/em>, which can colonise technical water systems. To minimise risks, the 42nd Ordinance Implementing the Federal Immission Control Act (42nd BImSchV) came into force in 2017. This primarily affects businesses that work with water at elevated temperatures \u2013 such as electroplating plants or paint shops, particularly those using wet scrubbers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The regulation requires operators to regularly check whether the water used is free from harmful bacteria. The results must be recorded in the government database KaVKA (Register of Evaporative Cooling Systems).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key questions regarding the 42nd BImSchV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What exactly are Legionella bacteria?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Legionella are aerobic bacteria that thrive in warm water (&lt; 60 \u00b0). They often form biofilms with other microorganisms, enabling them to survive in tanks or pipework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why are Legionella bacteria dangerous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are the cause of legionellosis (\u201cLegionnaires\u201d disease\u2019), a severe form of pneumonia. Infection occurs through the inhalation of respirable aerosols (&lt; 5 \u00b5m). Swallowing contaminated water or human-to-human transmission, on the other hand, does not result in infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where do Legionella bacteria occur?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Typical sources include drinking water systems (e.g. water pipes, such as those leading to showers where water stagnates) or sprinkler systems (e.g. nurseries, car washes). Particular attention is now also being paid to recooling plants, evaporative coolers, wet scrubbers, droplet separators and water walls in paint shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What exactly is the 42nd BImSchV?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 42nd Ordinance implementing the Federal Clean Air Act is legally binding. It sets out reporting obligations, analytical procedures and the powers of the authorities to carry out inspections, and provides for criminal penalties in the event of breaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Areas of application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Regulation applies to installations in which water is dripped, sprayed or comes into contact with the atmosphere, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Evaporative cooling systems&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooling towers (&gt; 200 MW)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wet separator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Exceptions apply to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Systems with a water temperature that remains at \u2265 60 \u00b0C&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wet separators with a pH that is consistently \u2264 4 or \u2265 10<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wet separator with fresh water flow only&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Installations that emit only within enclosed halls&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is precisely the pH value (\u2264 4 or \u2265 10) that can, in some cases, mean operators fall outside the scope of application \u2013 it is therefore important to assess each case individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column q-wichtig is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Not sure whether your installation is covered by the regulation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will review your asset portfolio, assess any exceptional circumstances and assist you with reporting and documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button btn-on-dark\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#projekt-besprechen\">For advice<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Obligations for operators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Self-monitoring:<\/strong> In-house monitoring of chemical, physical and microbiological parameters every 14 days (e.g. pH value, dip-slide test)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>External sampling: <\/strong>every three months by an accredited laboratory&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Notification to KaVKA:<\/strong> mandatory for all relevant installations&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>External examination:<\/strong> every five years by a publicly appointed and sworn expert or an accredited Type A inspection body.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Measures to be taken when limit values are exceeded<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Action to be taken if values rise or are exceeded<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table q-tabelle-listen is-style-regular\"><table><thead><tr><th>Coliform bacteria and Legionella spp. per 100 ml<\/th><th>Measures<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>&gt; 100<\/td><td>\u2013 Analysis of the causes; corrective action where necessary<br>\u2013 more frequent checks (internal: weekly; external: monthly)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&gt; 1000<\/td><td>\u2013 additional immediate measures, e.g. a shock dose of biocide<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>10.000<\/td><td>\u2013 Identification of the Legionella species<br>\u2013 Notification to the authorities<br>\u2013 Safety measures (e.g. taking the system out of service, cleaning, changing the water)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>CFU: colony-forming units&nbsp;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical application and examples of implementation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In approximately 70 % of electroplating plants, the pH value is deliberately adjusted ( 10) so that the plant does not fall within the scope of the regulation. This can be done manually, through organisational measures or automatically using probes and dosing pumps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The remaining businesses are <strong>additional measures<\/strong> including, amongst other things:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keeping an operating log in accordance with Section 42 of the BImSchV&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Selection of suitable internal sampling methods (dip slides are not strictly necessary and are often time-consuming)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comparison of laboratory providers for external samples (price differences are significant)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure that biocides and, where necessary, system cleaners are dosed correctly&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use of biocides or system cleaners; where appropriate, silver-filament fabric (as yet not widely tested in practice)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid downtime of more than 7 days, as otherwise an inspection by a person with expertise in hygiene is required&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is advisable for every business to keep track of necessary deadlines, notifications, inspections and documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The following applies to new installations:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list q-check\">\n<li>Avoid areas of stagnant water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"q-pfeile\">Provide dosing options<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure ease of cleaning (large inspection hatches)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>timely notification to the KaVKA (within 4 weeks)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns q-wichtig is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 42nd BImSchV imposes clear obligations on operators of installations that come into contact with water, but also offers opportunities to reduce pollution during operation through targeted measures. Careful self-monitoring, accurate documentation and the involvement of external experts are crucial.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you want to ensure that your business reliably complies with all the requirements of the Legionella Regulations?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our experts will support you with analysis, implementation and documentation \u2013 in a practical and efficient manner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 42nd BImSchV requires operators of evaporative cooling systems and wet scrubbers to carry out regular inspections and keep records. We explain which businesses are affected and what obligations apply.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":110,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_seopress_titles_title":"Legionellenverordnung: Ist meine Anlage betroffen? | QUBUS","_seopress_titles_desc":"Die 42. 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