Biological fouling
Biological fouling (or biofouling) refers to the collection of impure or unwanted organisms (including bacteria, plants, small animals and so on) that may colonise, resulting in biofilms in marine and industrial settings.
Biofouling can sometimes interfere with the operation of equipment (including marine vehicles) or the purity of water collection and delivery systems (including inlets, pipes and so on). If biofouling occurs in certain types of mechanical systems (including heating and cooling systems), it can cause clogging that may lead to poor performance, system failures and costly remedial works.
Steps to address biofouling (sometimes referred to as anti-fouling measures) will depend on the type of mechanical systems and the cause of the biofouling condition.
NB Water safety in buildings, published by the World Health Organization in 2011, defines biofilms as: ‘A slimy matrix produced and inhabited by bacteria, which enables the bacteria to adhere to a surface and carry out certain essential biochemical processes.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Biofilm.
- BSRIA Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems BG 50/2021.
- Copper in construction.
- Foul water.
- Groundwater control in urban areas.
- Heating ventilation and air conditioning.
- Pipework.
- Training for pre-commissioning cleaning of pipework systems.
- Water purification.
- Water treatment.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.