ASTM E645-13

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Microbicides Used in Cooling Water Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice determines potentially effective microbicides for use in cooling water systems using cooling water and deposits/biofilm obtained from the field. The addition of deposits/biofilms addresses the need to include the major source of microorganisms in cooling water systems. Even with this addition, laboratory results may not be totally predictive of microbicidal effectiveness in the field. This is because conditions in the field affecting microbicide effectiveness are difficult to mimic in the laboratory. These conditions that affect microbicide efficacy include blow-down rate, addition of makeup water, water hardness, hydrocarbon leaks, pH, sediment loading, dissolved solids, microbes in slime (biofilms), and deposits (salts, iron minerals, organics, and so forth) on surfaces. An additional factor is the difficulty in enumerating all microbes in the water due to the lack of adequate recovery media. Guidelines that address formation of and testing for surface-attached microbes (biofilms) may be found in Guide E1427, while a guideline for unconventional measurement of microbes is found in Guide E1326.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice outlines a procedure for evaluating the efficacy of microbicides (algicides, bactericides, and fungicides) that will be used for controlling microbial growth in cooling water systems. The microbicides will be evaluated using simulated or real cooling tower water against (1) microbes from cooling water, (2) microbes in microbiological deposits (biofilms) from operating cooling systems, or (3) microorganisms known to contaminate cooling water systems, or a combination thereof. This practice should be performed by individuals familiar with microbiological techniques.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2013
• ICS: 65.100.99 - Other pesticides and agrochemicals
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.15 - Antimicrobial Agents

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E645-07 - Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Microbicides Used in Cooling Water Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Replaced By: ASTM E645-18 - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Microbicides Used in Cooling Water Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D5952-08(2015) - Standard Guide for the Inspection of Water Systems for Legionella and the Investigation of Possible Outbreaks of Legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease or Pontiac Fever)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM E1054-22 - Standard Practices for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E645 − 13
Standard Practice for
1
Evaluation of Microbicides Used in Cooling Water Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E645; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1427Guide for Selecting Test Methods to Determine the
Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Agents and Other Chemi-
1.1 This practice outlines a procedure for evaluating the
cals for the Prevention, Inactivation and Removal of
efficacy of microbicides (algicides, bactericides, and fungi-
3
Biofilm (Withdrawn 2009)
cides) that will be used for controlling microbial growth in
E2756Terminology Relating toAntimicrobial andAntiviral
cooling water systems. The microbicides will be evaluated
Agents
using simulated or real cooling tower water against (1)
microbes from cooling water, (2) microbes in microbiological
3. Terminology
deposits (biofilms) from operating cooling systems, or (3)
microorganisms known to contaminate cooling water systems,
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, see
oracombinationthereof.Thispracticeshouldbeperformedby
Terminology E2756.
individuals familiar with microbiological techniques.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.1 algicide, n—a chemical agent that kills algae; unicel-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
lular or filamentous chlorophyll-containing plants.
standard.
3.2.2 bactericide, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
bacteria, but not necessarily bacterial spores.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 biofilm, n—adynamic,self-organizedaccumulationof
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
microorganisms and environmental by-products immobilized
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
on a substrate and embedded in an organic polymer matrix.
3.2.4 cooling system, n—equipmentandcoolantusedforthe
2. Referenced Documents
removal of heat from processes, equipment, or both.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.4.1 Discussion—The most common medium used for
D3731PracticesforMeasurementofChlorophyllContentof
3
removal or transfer of heat is water.The heated water then can
Algae in Surface Waters (Withdrawn 0)
be discharged into a receiving body (once through cooling
D4012TestMethodforAdenosineTriphosphate(ATP)Con-
system) or it can be cooled and reused (recirculating cooling
tent of Microorganisms in Water
system).
D4412TestMethodsforSulfate-ReducingBacteriainWater
and Water-Formed Deposits
3.2.5 cooling tower, n—a structure used to dissipate heat in
E1054Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Anti-
open recirculating cooling systems.
microbial Agents
3.2.6 cooling water, n—any water-based solution that ab-
E1326GuideforEvaluatingNonconventionalMicrobiologi-
sorbs and transfers heat in a heat exchange system.
cal Tests Used for Enumerating Bacteria
3.2.7 fungicides, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills
fungi;thatis,vegetativemyceliaand/orbuddingyeastsinclud-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides,
ing spores and/or conidia.
Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
3.2.8 microbial biofouling, n—the unwanted accumulation
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published May 2013. Originally
of bacterial, fungal, or algal cells, or any combination thereof
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E645–07. DOI:
10.1520/E0645-13.
and their products on surfaces.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.2.8.1 Discussion—Often this accumulation is accompa-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
nied by deposition of organic and inorganic material.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
3.2.9 microbicides, n—a physical or chemical agent that
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. kills microorganisms.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E645 − 13
4. Summary of Practice 6.8 Sterilizers—pressurized steam sterilizer (for media,
containers, and so forth), hot air oven for containers, and filter
4.1 Microbicides are evaluated against microbes under
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E645 − 07 E645 − 13
Standard Test Method Practice for
EfficacyEvaluation of Microbicides Used in Cooling Water
1
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E645; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method outlines a procedure for evaluating the efficacy of microbicides (algicides, bactericides, and fungicides)
that will be used for controlling microbial growth in cooling water systems. The microbicides will be evaluated using simulated
or real cooling tower water against (1) microbes from cooling water, (2) microbes in microbiological deposits (biofilms) from
operating cooling systems, or (3) microorganisms known to contaminate cooling water systems, or a combination thereof. This test
method should be performed by individuals familiar with microbiological techniques.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
D3731 Practices for Measurement of Chlorophyll Content of Algae in Surface Waters (Withdrawn 0)
D4012 Test Method for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Content of Microorganisms in Water
D4412 Test Methods for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Water and Water-Formed Deposits
E1054 Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents
E1326 Guide for Evaluating Nonconventional Microbiological Tests Used for Enumerating Bacteria
E1427 Guide for Selecting Test Methods to Determine the Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Agents and Other Chemicals for the
3
Prevention, Inactivation and Removal of Biofilm (Withdrawn 2009)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 algicide, n—a chemical agent that kills algae; unicellular chlorophyll-containing plants.
3.1.2 bactericides, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills bacteria, but not necessarily bacterial spores.
3.1.3 biofilm, n—a dynamic, self-organized accumulation of microorganisms and environmental by-products immobilized on a
substrate and embedded in an organic polymer matrix.
3.1.4 cooling system, n—an assemblage of equipment for the removal of heat from processes or equipment, or both. The most
common medium used for removal or transfer of heat is water. The heated water then can be discharged into a receiving body (once
through cooling system) or it can be cooled and reused (recirculating cooling system).
3.1.5 cooling tower, n—a structure used to dissipate heat in open recirculating cooling systems.
3.1.6 cooling water, n—medium used to transfer heat in cooling systems.
3.1.7 fungicides, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills fungi; that is, vegetative mycelia and/or budding yeasts including
spores and/or conidia.
1
This test method practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
Current edition approved April 1, 2007April 1, 2013. Published April 2007 May 2013. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
E645 – 02a.E645 – 07. DOI: 10.1520/E0645-07.10.1520/E0645-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E645 − 13
3.1.8 microbial biofouling, n—the unwanted accumulation of bacterial, fungal or algal cells, or any combination thereof and
their products on surfaces.
Often this accumulation is accompanied by deposition of organic and inorganic material.
3.1.9 microbicides, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills microorganisms.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Microbicides are evaluated against microbes under conditions simulating a cooling wate
...