Any cooling tower or evaporative condenser at a care home site must be notified to the local authority under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992. A written L8 control scheme and monthly microbiological monitoring are mandatory.
Why this matters
Cooling towers are the highest-risk Legionella source in any building. A care home with an unnotified or poorly maintained cooling tower is exposed to criminal prosecution under the Notification Regulations and potential manslaughter liability if a resident or staff member contracts Legionnaires disease.
What to do
- 1Identify whether your site has any cooling towers or evaporative condensers check plant rooms, roof plant and mechanical services drawings.
- 2If any are present, confirm they are notified to the local authority re-notification is required if the system changes.
- 3Ensure a written L8 control scheme is in place, with monthly microbiological sampling and a documented chemical dosing regime.
- 4Commission a Legionella risk assessment specifically for the cooling circuit this is separate from your general L8 building assessment.
Primary source
HSE L8 ACOP Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers
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