Sanitary and hygienic aspects in the operation of autonomous heat supply systems

Abstract

In individual construction projects, homeowners themselves decide how much hot water they need and the desired indoor temperature. It is crucial to ensure that fire safety regulations, environmental standards, sanitary norms, and the allocated household energy limits are not violated. Issues concerning the quality of sanitary water that comes into contact with human skin arise. The nature of using individual hot water systems and their structural features determine the risks of pathogenic bacteria growth in the equipment. There are engineering solutions available that can eliminate or significantly reduce these risks, and it is advisable to implement these solutions at the design stage. Based on a summary of scientific sources and reported cases of mass illnesses, the main types of pathogenic bacteria that arise in individual water heating systems have been identified, including Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The thresholds and conditions for the survival of these bacteria are discussed. The primary causes that lead to the risks of pathogenic bacteria growth and sludge deposits are classified. The application of technical solutions for heat supply systems in individual construction projects can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the risks associated with the potential occurrence of pathogenic bacteria and related diseases among household residents.