The term “cooling tower” is an encompassing term used in describing a cooling tower, evaporative condenser or fluid cooler that forms a part of a recirculated water system that is used for the building’s cooling, industrial process, refrigeration, or energy production system” as described in the Administrative Code of the City of New York § 28-317.2.
DOH Commissioner’s Order Documentation
Last August 6, 2015, DOHMH (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) Commissioner has issued a mandatory order to have New York building cooling systems inspected and rectified as needed within 14 days of receiving the order. Documentations that prove compliance to the said order can be uploaded into the DOB cooling tower tracking portal, though not necessary, owners are encouraged to complete upload.
Cooling Tower Registration
It is actually mandatory to register all cooling towers and such registration must be accomplished before the tower is put into operation. Existing cooling towers need to be registered by September 17, 2015.
Aside from initial registration owners are also expected to handle the tower’s annual certification in compliance with § 28-317.5. It should also be maintained in accordance with § 28-317.4 and should the cooling tower be retired from use, it is also imperative that the DOB be notified of the removal or discontinued use within 30 days. This is in compliance with § 28-317.3.1
You can actually process your registration electronically and each registrant can file more than one tower and/or locations.
If you wish to register your cooling tower, fluid cooler or evaporating condenser, you need to be enrolled in the electronic tracking system first by providing some info like your name, email address and telephone number.
Afterwards, you can register your equipment and include the location of the device as well as the location of all the buildings that is being served by the said device. You may also be required to provide pertinent information about your device like the type of device you are registering, manufacturer’s name, serial number, device capacity, specific floor location and number of items.
Inspecting and Disinfecting Cooling Towers
The Commissioner of DOHMH has ordered that building owners to hire environmental consultants with known experience for disinfecting towers with the use of ASHRAE Standards 188P and Cooling Technology Institute Guidelines WTB-148, the current industry standards.
Biocides, which requires commercial pesticide applicator certification in category 7G –Category 7G (Cooling Towers), is required for disinfection of the said coolers. Information for pesticide businesses registered can be found on the NYS DEC website.