Risk management of cooling towers
August 2002
What is a cooling tower?
Cooling towers are used in air conditioning systems or for refrigeration. They use surrounding air to cool water, which in turn will cool the target area. A cooling tower system includes any machinery, tanks, pipes or valves connected to the system, and will contain one or more cooling towers depending on how extensive the system is.
How does a cooling tower system spread Legionella?
When air is drawn or forced through a cooling tower, it collects air borne particles and as it leaves the tower these particles is carried into the environment. Sometimes these particles may be contaminated with Legionella bacteria. If the Legionella bacteria is inhaled by susceptible* people, these people may develop legionnaires' disease.
Registration of cooling tower systems
The Building (Legionella) Act 2000 requires all cooling tower systems to be registered with the Building Commission. For cooling tower systems in operation before 1st March 2001, an application to register must be lodged before 1st September 2001.
For Cooling Tower Systems that are commissioned on or after 1st March 2001, an application to register must be lodged before the system is tested and commissioned. Registration is for a period of twelve months and the application for renewal must be lodged before the expiry of the previous registration.
Risk management plans
Monash University has initiated a comprehensive risk management strategy for all of its cooling tower systems. This strategy will involve carrying out risk assessments of all cooling tower systems and formalising existing risk management activities in accordance with the Department of Human Services Standard Operational Program. Risk management plans are required to be completed within 12 months of the registration of the cooling tower system. The program specifies activities that are to be carried out at predetermined intervals. These activities include:
- regular inspections
- regular servicing
- monthly HCC testing to identify bacterial levels in system
- legionella testing.
Profomas for the risk management plans can be found on the Monash Legionella web page.
Enquiries
Should you have any enquiries regarding risk management of cooling tower systems please contact Margaret Rendell on:
- extension: 51060
- email: margaret.rendell@monash.edu
* Susceptible people include: people over 50 years of age (predominantly males); heavy smokers; heavy drinkers; diabetics; people with chronic lung disease; and people with impaired immune systems.