Cooling tower and evaporative condensers notification

Relevant legislation: The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992

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Apply for a licence for a cooling tower notification

Tell us about a change to your existing cooling tower licence

Do I need to make a Notification?
All premises where cooling towers and evaporative condensers are situated must register with the local authority under The Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992.

Once registered are there conditions?

There are no conditions set for registered cooling towers and evaporative condensers. The prime purpose of this is to identify potential areas that could give rise to spread of infectious disease, for example Legionella, and to ensure preventative measures are taken to eliminate the risk of such infection arising to employees and the public. There are requirements imposed on the duty holder under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the associated Codes of Practices for management and maintenance of water systems.

Further information

Further information about Legionnaires Disease can be found on the Health and Safety Executives website.

Over recent years there have been a number of outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease associated with wet cooling systems (cooling towers and evaporative condensers), which have often resulted in serious cases of infection and fatalities.
Such outbreaks also give rise to considerable public concern and take up significant enforcing authority resources.
It has frequently been found that poor maintenance of such plant and poor compliance with the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations and Approved Code of Practice on the prevention or control of Legionellosis, gives rise to the potential conditions in which outbreaks can and do occur.
It is because these wet cooling systems pose the most serious risk from outbreaks of legionnaires' disease if not properly looked after, that the regulations were brought into being in 1992 requiring the notification of cooling towers and evaporative condensers to the appropriate local authority.
The principle purpose for this notification process is to identify where potential sources of risk are located and allow for easier identification, monitoring and inspection by the enforcing authorities.

How do I make an application and how much does it cost?

Use the details at the bottom of the page to contact us and request a notification form. On receipt of a notification, we will add the details to the public register. Usually, there will be no further requirement for us to contact you. This would only happen if further clarification is required.

There is no cost for notifying the council.

What information or evidence will I need to provide?

Any information required to progress your application will be requested by the relevant application form and may include specifics about the water system such as diagram of the system itself, details of the nominated person in control of the site or premises and management plan. However, further information or clarification may be requested but this will not normally affect the notification process.

Are there/inspections or assessments?

No. Whilst the task of maintaining records of wet cooling systems under the regulations rests with local authorities such as Luton Borough Council, responsibility for enforcement in respect of standards of assessment and control is split between the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities, depending on the main activity of the premises.
Operators of installations should be aware that both the local authority and the HSE will undertake a number of routine health and safety inspection visits to their premises to ensure standards are met overall, this will include the management of wet cooling systems and will take enforcement action where appropriate.

How long will it take to process the notification?

If you haven't heard from us within 28 consecutive days of the receipt of the notification, the registration is complete.

If I’m turned down, how do I appeal?

There is no refusal within this process. The prime purpose of this is to identify potential areas that could give rise to spread of infectious disease and help us maintain a register.

How long does the licence last, and what’s the renewal procedure?

The regulations require those in control of premises with wet cooling systems to register once with the local authority within which they are located and to also notify changes, including when plant ceases to be in operation.

Public Register

All notifications are held on a public register and will remain there until we are notified of any changes. The register can be viewed by request at the Council Offices or can be downloaded below.

Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint about our service, please follow our complaints policy and procedure.