Legionella bacteria is found naturally in freshwater environments, such as streams and lakes, and rarely causes illness in people. However, the bacteria have found an agreeable home in our urban environments, thriving in installations such as cooling towers, and air conditioning and industrial cooling systems in larger buildings, such as hotels and hospitals.
If these systems are not properly maintained, small droplets of water containing the bacterium can get into the air where people breathe it in. It can then cause a serious form of pneumonia, called Legionnaires disease. While treatable, Legionnaires can be fatal, with a mortality rate of up to 10% (higher in the immunosuppressed). It is therefore imperative that those responsible for building maintenance and estate management maintain their water HVAC systems properly and effectively and mitigate the risk of infection.
Part of the solution includes monitoring with digital thermometers. Ideal for both hot/cold water systems and wet cooling systems, the DT173 thermometer is perfect for HVAC servicing and monitoring. It is a single input digital thermometer, supplied with a bead thermocouple as standard, and is compatible with Martindale’s full range of K type probes, including air probes, penetration probes and clamp and surface probes.
As part of the ThermokitLGN Legionella Testing Thermometer Kit, which also includes two robust surface and immersion probes, you can monitor and test the temperature of both standing water, and the surface of pipes and tanks which form part of a water system, and so meet the revised Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) issued by the Government’s Health and Safety Executive.
The DT173 has a measuring range of -200°C to 1372°C and a MIN/MAX/AVG mode for recording extremes of readings. When used like this, the auto power off function is disabled to allow you to record over longer periods of time. The thermometer is supplied in a tough holster to protect it from the rigours of your work environment and has large digits and a back light for easy viewing in all light conditions. There is a fold away built-in stand, and its readings can be displayed in either Centigrade or Fahrenheit.
The DT173’s sister thermometer is the DT175, a dual input digital model which allows you to take readings from two type K thermocouples simultaneously. An example might be the input and output of heating equipment and other systems. When used with its differential mode, you can use the readings to monitor the effectiveness of both heating and cooling systems.
“Martindale’s company ethos is ‘Keeping you Safe’, and this applies to our customers, and their clients in turn” says Steve Dunning, Martindale’s Managing Director. “Our range of HVAC monitoring kits are designed with that purpose in mind. They are easy to use, reliable and can help you monitor and banish Legionnaires Disease from your establishment.”