Bacteria in Closed Heating & Chilled

Water Systems
With the increasing complexity of building services installations in modern, highly serviced
offices, commercial buildings and other work spaces, the need to manage and control
bacteria in closed heating and chilled water systems is becoming ever more important.

Bacteria in Closed Heating & Chilled Water

Systems
Here we consider the main problems caused by bacteria in closed heating and chilled water
systems, we look at how to carry our simple water tests to identify the contaminating bacteria, and
the types of bacteria that are commonly found to contaminate closed systems.

The many problems associated with the bacterial contamination of open circuit pipework systems,
especially open evaporative cooling water systems and cooling towers is now well recognised,
particularly where waterborne pathogens such as Legionella bacteria can present safety critical
issues. Approved codes of practice, detailed guidance notes and tried and tested management and
control procedures now exist for dealing effectively with microbial contamination in such open
circuit systems.

However, the issues associated with the growth and proliferation of bacteria in closed heating and
chilled water systems is still less understood although there are a number of key guides now
available to assist building services engineers, water treatment companies and facilities
management specialists in this important area including:

BSRIA GUIDE BG 50/2013

BSRIA Guide BG 50/2013 Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems.

BRITISH STANDARDS

British Standards BG 29/2012 Pre-Commission Cleaning of Pipework Systems.

CIBSE AM14

CIBSE AM14 Non-Domestic Hot Water Heating Systems.

BS 8552:2012

BS 8552:2012 Sampling and monitoring of water from building services closed systems. Code
of practice.

What Problems are Caused by Bacteria in

Closed Systems?
The presence of unwanted bacteria in closed heating and chilled systems can cause a number of
potentially serious problems including:

ACCELERATED CORROSION OF THE SYSTEM

Accelerated corrosion of the closed circuit system can occur resulting in increased maintenance
costs, reduced performance and premature system failure. The corrosion tends to result from the
formation of organic acids, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia etc. within the closed system.

SYSTEM BLOCKAGES

The closed system and its components can become blocked by a build-up of bacteria and
microbial slimes. These cause blockages of the strainers, control valves and pipework.

REDUCED SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

Microbial fouling of the internal closed circuit surfaces, in particular heat exchange surfaces
reduces system efficiency and leads to increased costs.

POOR COMMISSIONING DATA

The build-up of bacteria and generation of internal gases with in the closed circuit system can
affect the accuracy of commissioning data leading to poorly configured systems.

How to Test for Closed System Bacterial

Contamination
Typical bacterial contamination of closed heating and chilled water systems can include
pseudomonas, sulphate reducing bacteria, nitrite reducing bacteria and other slime forming
bacteria.

Avoiding contamination of closed circuit water systems should be your primary objective,
however if you suspect problematic microbial contamination has occurred then there are a number
of simple tests you can perform on a water sample taken from the system to confirm this. The tests
include:

SMELL

If the water sample is contaminated with bacteria it is likely to have a distinct, usually unpleasant
smell. A strong smell of stagnant water will be a good indication that microbial contamination is
present.

COLOUR

If the water sample is contaminated with bacteria it is likely to have a distinctive brown or green
colour. This colour change would tend to indicate the presence of algae or other bacteria
contamination.

CLARITY

If the water sample is contaminated with bacteria it is likely to have a distinctive cloudy
appearance. Cloudy water will be a good indication that microbial contamination is present and is
often caused by organics produced by the bacteria.

DIP SLIDE TEST

A simple test using a dip slide which is then incubated will often be sufficient to identify the
general level of microbial contamination. If you need to identify the type of bacteria causing the
contamination then a more extensive laboratory water test will be required.

Types of Bacteria Commonly Found to

Contaminate Closed Heating & Chilled Water
Systems
BACTERIA TYPICAL CHARACTERIST ICS TE

Pseudomonas Bacteria Pseudomonas Aeruginosa slime forming aerobic bacteria 20

Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) Desulfovibrio anaerobic bacteria that forms hydrogen sulphide 20
Sulphur Bacteria Thiobaciullus sulphuric acid forming aerobic bacteria 20

Iron Bacteria Leptothrix slime forming aerobic bacteria 20

Types of bacteria commonly found to contaminate closed heatin

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