Cooling towers and evaporative condensers

Contents

• Notifiable device
• What you must do
• Public Register

Notifiable device

All non-domestic premises where wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers (air handling units) are situated must register with the local authority (council) where the premises are located, in accordance with The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992.

A "notifiable device" means cooling tower or evaporative condenser except

• where it contains no water
• where its water supply is not connected; and
• where its electrical supply is not connected.

The prime purpose of this is to identify potential areas that could give rise of infectious disease such as legionella and to ensure preventative measures are taken to eliminate the risk of such infection arising to employees and the public.

Keeping a register of where these types of system are helps enforcing authorities to assist businesses to control the risks from legionella, and to take action if the risks are not being adequately controlled.

Although the council keeps a register of cooling towers and evaporative condensers, we may not be the enforcing authority for health and safety matters at the premises. Health and safety may be enforced by the HSE depending on the main work activity carried out at the premises. If the HSE are the enforcing authority for your premises you are still required to register with the council and we will provide a copy of the information you give us to them.

What you must do

If you have a wet cooling tower or evaporative condenser at a premise in Bassetlaw District area you need to complete a registration form and provide the following information:

• the address where the cooling tower(s) or evaporative condenser(s) are located
• the person(s) in control of the premises and their contact details
• the number of cooling towers or evaporative condensers at the premises
• a brief description of the location where the equipment is situated at the premises (this may include a site plan), and
• any other relevant information

Any changes to any information that has already been notified must be notified within one month after their occurrence. Similarly, where a device ceases to be, and is no longer intended to remain, a notifiable device that fact must be notified to us as soon as reasonably practicable after the cessation.

What We Must Do

We must keep a register of all premises where cooling towers and evaporative condensers are situated with the local authority under The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992.

What Happens Next

We will normally acknowledge receipt of your notification in writing within ten working days. Your notification will be added to our register.

Public Register

The Notification of Cooling Tower and Evaporate Condenser Regulations 1992

(Last updated 17 February 2023)

Last Updated on Friday, January 10, 2025