What is the recommended action for a 7-story building before new occupants move in after being shut down for nine months?

What is the recommended action for a 7-story building before new occupants move in after being shut down for nine months?

• A. Flushing all faucets and showers for one week
• B. Disinfecting the domestic water system with chlorine
• C. Refraining from any water system adjustments
• D. Using UV light treatment for disinfection

Answer: (B)

The recommended action for a 7-story building that has been shut down for nine months is to disinfect the domestic water system with chlorine. This is crucial because prolonged periods of stagnation in plumbing systems can lead to the growth of Legionella bacteria, which can pose serious health risks to occupants. Chlorination is a widely accepted method for effectively killing bacteria, including Legionella. It involves adding a chlorine solution to the water system, which can penetrate biofilms and disinfect surfaces that may harbor these harmful organisms. This approach not only helps to eliminate existing bacterial contamination but also works to prevent future growth until the water system is regularly used and maintained. While flushing faucets and showers or employing UV light treatment might seem beneficial, these options do not offer the comprehensive disinfection that chlorine treatment provides. Flushing alone may not eliminate all bacteria if they are established within the system, and UV treatment is more suitable for systems where water quality is already adequately maintained and does not completely address biofilms. Therefore, disinfecting with chlorine is the most effective action to ensure the safety of the water supply before new occupants move in.

The recommended action for a 7-story building that has been shut down for nine months is to disinfect the domestic water system with chlorine. This is crucial because prolonged periods of stagnation in plumbing systems can lead to the growth of Legionella bacteria, which can pose serious health risks to occupants.

Chlorination is a widely accepted method for effectively killing bacteria, including Legionella. It involves adding a chlorine solution to the water system, which can penetrate biofilms and disinfect surfaces that may harbor these harmful organisms. This approach not only helps to eliminate existing bacterial contamination but also works to prevent future growth until the water system is regularly used and maintained.

While flushing faucets and showers or employing UV light treatment might seem beneficial, these options do not offer the comprehensive disinfection that chlorine treatment provides. Flushing alone may not eliminate all bacteria if they are established within the system, and UV treatment is more suitable for systems where water quality is already adequately maintained and does not completely address biofilms. Therefore, disinfecting with chlorine is the most effective action to ensure the safety of the water supply before new occupants move in.