Health Department and DOB
Cooling towers
Cooling towers are registered with DOB, inspected and tested on a schedule while they run, and certified every year by November 1.
The clock
When it comes due
- Annual certification: by November 1
- Disinfection: July 1 to August 31
- While operating: inspection every 90 days, Legionella test every 31 days
- Who it applies to
- Buildings with a cooling tower
- When
- Register with DOB before the tower first operates
- Every year by November 1, file the annual certification, or a statement of non-operation
- While it operates: a compliance inspection at least every 90 days, Legionella testing within 3 to 14 days of startup and at least every 31 days, cleaning at least twice a year, and disinfection of every operating tower between July 1 and August 31
- Who does it
- A Qualified Person develops, updates and certifies the maintenance program and plan, and does the 90-day inspections. Disinfection is done by a certified pesticide applicator
- What happens next
- A Legionella result of 1,000 CFU/mL or more is reported to the Health Department within 24 hours
- Records stay on site at least three years
- Tell DOB within 30 days if a tower is removed or discontinued
- Failing to register, certify or report a discontinued tower can bring a fine of up to $10,000
What Stoop does
- November 1 on the calendar every year
- The 90-day inspections and monthly tests on a schedule
- Records kept for at least three years
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