Wet cooling tower
The Ministrial regulation establishments and activities BES (RIA BES) lays down rules for wet cooling towers. The rules concern maintenance of the installation, control of legionella contamination and the use of cleaning agents.
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What is a wet cooling tower
A wet cooling tower is a plant that is used to remove excess heat from production processes and buildings by evaporating water. The rules for the wet cooling tower apply to the entire installation, not just the place where the evaporation takes place. An example of a wet cooling tower is a cooling tower of a building that cools the building. A cooling tower is often large in size and is usually located at height. It is often easily visible, unless the cooling tower is built in for aesthetic reasons.
Research into legionella contamination
If you have a cooling tower, you should investigate the risks of legionella contamination. This risk analysis should include at least the following points:
- the risk of growth of legionella bacteria in the cooling tower by: the nature and quality of the water used, the temperature of the water, the residence time of the water, the standstill of the water, the presence of biofilm and sediment, the operation of the wet cooling tower
- the effectiveness of the water treatment program for legionella bacteria and biofilm formation
- the risks to the environment
Risks to the environment
The risk categories in the research depend on the distance to the location of the wet cooling tower.
- Less than 200 meters from a hospital, nursing home or other medically oriented care facility where people with reduced immune systems reside
- Less than 200 meters from nursing homes, hotels or other buildings in which many people reside
- Less than 600 meters from a residential environment
- More than 600 meters from a residential environment