of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems
BHHT detects the levels of microorganisms in HVAC systems that can be hazardous to human health. Cooling tower water and surfaces, HVAC water (drip pans) and surfaces, evaporative condensers, and other associated equipment are included in BHHT.
BHHT Panel I includes:
Planktonic Count of bulk water
Sessile Count of surface sample
Microscopic examination of bulk water, surface sample, and sediment/deposits
Complete report with professional interpretation
Sample requirements*:
100 ml bulk water
1 square inch surface sample swab
Small (thumbnail size) amount of sediment/deposits
* Nova provides all sample containers
BHHT Full-Service Panel includes:
Site visit and samples collection
Halogen (chlorine or bromine) residual testing
Water pH testing
Panel I testing
BHHT Individual Tests
Planktonic Count w/microscopic evaluation of bulk water
Sessile Count w/microscopic evaluation of surface sample
Microscopic evaluation of sediment/deposit sample
Water test for Legionella pneumophila
Service call (includes collections, residual, and pH testing)
Definitions
Planktonic Counts (Bulk Water) represent the total number of detectable microorganisms in a water sample. These counts are determined by specialized microbiological culture techniques.
Sessile Counts (Surfaces) represent the total number of detectable microorganisms on an environmental surface. These counts are determined by specialized microbiological culture techniques
Sediment/Deposits testing is a semi-quantitative evaluation of the amount and types of microorganisms present. This test is a microscopic examination for the presence of higher life forms (fungi, molds, algae, protozoa).
Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium widely distributed in nature. They have been found in lakes, rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water and soils. Certain man-made systems such as cooling towers (including evaporative condensers), can provide conditions in which bacteria can multiply to large numbers. Certain types of L. pneumophila have been associated with human disease, primarily pneumonia.
Halogen (chlorine/bromine) Residuals indicate the level of chlorine or bromine disinfectants present in the system. Residuals of 0.5 – 1.0 ppm in the cooling tower hot return water have been recommended for effective microorganism control.
pH is a measure of alkalinity/acidity. The effectiveness of halogen disinfectants decreases with increasing pH.
