Public health - cooling towers

Registering a Cooling Tower

Why must Cooling Towers be registered?

The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992 requires that all businesses that have these systems in the Maidstone Borough must register their equipment with Maidstone Borough Council. These water systems must be kept clean and well maintained, and the Environmental Health team needs to be able to inspect them.

This is a free procedure, designed to limit the risk to public health from Legionnaire’s Disease.

Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria. It can affect anyone who is exposed to it. There are many different types of Legionnaires' disease which are collectively named Legionellosis. Legionella bacteria can be found in hot and cold water systems, plants which use and store water, and cooling tower systems.

Where can I find information on the control of Legionnaire’s disease?

Comprehensive information for those with responsibility for cooling systems on Legionnaire’s disease is available via the Health and Safety Executive website. Also, a complete guidance document including the approved code of practice is available to download for free.

Essentials for maintaining cooling systems are as follows:

the fitting of efficient drift eliminators which reduce the escape of spray;
systems should be cleaned and disinfected at least every six months;
water should be treated to prevent scale, corrosion and microbiological growth;
equipment performance should be maintained and monitored; and
competent responsible persons should be appointed to manage and control the system.

Alternatively, where reasonably practicable, cooling towers should be replaced with dry cooling systems.

As well as protecting the public from legionella, water system managers must also consider any staff working in the vicinity of the system. The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that duty holders carefully assess the risk that these systems pose and properly manages them.

How do I apply to register a Cooling Tower or similar system on my premises?

Registering your cooling equipment is a free procedure. You can either apply to register your cooling tower online, or request a paper form using the contact details to the right of the page.

It is helpful if you provide us with a plan of the layout of your premises showing the location of the equipment. You can upload the scanned plan as part of the online application, or post a paper copy of the plan in to:

The Environmental Health team, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JQ.

Please note that we will not be able to process your registration until we have received all necessary documents.

If the manager responsible for the equipment has changed, or the equipment has been updated or removed, or any other significant changes have occurred, please apply to register changes to cooling towers online. This is also free.

What happens next?

Processing your registration will take 2 working days from the receipt of your application. You can consider your registration successful after this point. However, if in any doubt, please contact us using the details to the right of this page to ensure everything has been received safely. We will confirm receipt of your application and completion of your registration.

We may contact you to arrange an inspection shortly after receiving your application. In advance of the inspection, you should download and print out the Control of Legionella Audit Proforma and work through it. Alternatively, you can request a paper copy from us using the contact details to the right of this page.

If the inspection highlights any problems with your evaporative equipment, we will give full instructions on required improvements with which you must comply.

If you have applied to register changes to your equipment with us, a further inspection may be necessary. We will discuss this with you after we receive your application.

What if there is a problem with my registration?

If there is any problem with your registration, or you have any questions after you have registered your equipment, please contact us immediately.

As a member of the public or otherwise interested party, if you are concerned about the condition or management of any cooling equipment, please contact Environmental Health immediately using the details to the right of this page

Cooling Towers Register for the Maidstone Borough

Cooling towers and evaporative condensers are located at the following premises:

The Mall, Chequers Centre, Pads Hill, Maidstone, ME15 6AT
Marley Floors Ltd, Dickley Lane, Lenham, ME17 2DE
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Health Care Trust, Estate & Maintenance Dept. Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9QQ
Whatman Paper Ltd, Springfield Mill, Sandling Rd, Maidstone, ME14 2LE
Genzyme Biochemicals, Springfield Mill, Sandling Rd, Maidstone, ME14 2LE
Sinclair Rush Ltd, Units 11-13 Spectrum West, 20/20 Business Estate, Maidstone, ME16 0LL
Marley Plumbing And Drainage Ltd, Dickley Lane, Lenham, ME17 2DE
DHLExel, Laverstoke Rd, 20/20 Business Estate, Maidstone, ME6 0LE
Kent County Council, Invicta House, County Hall, County Rd, Maidstone, ME14 1XX
Brenchley House, Week St, Maidstone, ME14 1RS