Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers

Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Code of Practice

For
Fresh Water Cooling Towers

Part 1: Design, Installation And Commissioning

2023 Edition

(October 2023)

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

2023 Edition i
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Foreword

This Code of Practice was prepared to promote the proper use of fresh water cooling towers
with guidelines for cooling tower design, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and
maintenance in order to meet the energy efficiency objective with due consideration of the
environment and health issues. It was developed by the Task Force which comprises members
from eight government departments, three professional institutions and three trade unions on
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers.

Part 1 of this series of Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers (previously known as
Code of Practice for Water-cooled Air Conditioning Systems) provides details on the design,
installation and commissioning of cooling towers. It should be read in conjunction and made
cross-reference with the followings:

Part 2 – Operation and Maintenance; and

Part 3 – Water Treatment Methods

2023 Edition ii
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Contents

Page
Foreword ii

Definitions v

1. Introduction 1
1.1 Scope 1
1.2 Objectives 1
1.3 Applications 1

2. Cooling Tower Types and Cooling Tower Systems 3

2.1 General 3
2.2 Cooling Tower Types 3
2.3 Cooling Tower System 9

3. Cooling Tower Construction and Installation Requirements 11

3.1 Cooling Tower Shell 11
3.2 Intake Louvre 11
3.3 Fill 12
3.4 Fan and Fan Motor 12
3.5 Water Basin 13
3.6 Drift Eliminator 13
3.7 Water Distribution Pipework 14
3.8 Water Circulation Pipework 15
3.9 Water Sampling Point 15
3.10 Deflector 16
3.11 Silencer 16
3.12 Plume Abatement Measures 16
3.13 Access Opening 16
3.14 Cooling Tower Structure 17
3.15 Ladder and Handrail 17
3.16 Installation Access 17
3.17 Cooling Tower Supporting Framework 17
3.18 High Productivity Construction Method 18

2023 Edition iii

Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

4. Cooling Tower Installed Location 19

4.1 General 19
4.2 Cooling Towers installed on Building Roof 21
4.3 Cooling Towers installed on Podium Roof 21
4.4 Cooling Towers installed indoors with Vertical Discharge through Roof or 22
Horizontal Discharge through Side Wall
4.5 Cooling Towers installed at Other Locations 22
4.6 Minimum Separation between Cooling Towers 23
4.7 Minimum Separation from Physical Barrier 23
4.8 Installation Location at a Composite Building (Residential and Commercial) 23
4.9 Installed Location not fulfilling the Required Minimum Separation 24

5. Cooling Tower Water and Bleed-off Water Control 25

5.1 Cooling Water Quality Control 25
5.2 Bleed-off Control and Reuse of Bleed-off Water 25

6. Notices and Labels 27

7. Risk Management of a Cooling Tower System 28

7.1 General 28
7.2 Risk Management Plan 28

8. Testing and Commissioning of Cooling Tower Systems 30

8.1 Testing and Commissioning 30
8.2 Occupational Safety and Health 30

9. Design and Commissioning Records 31

10. Qualification of a System Designer 32

11. Reference Information 33

Appendices
Appendix 1A – A Typical Schematic Diagram of Fresh Water Cooling Tower Condensing 34
Water Circuit
Appendix 1B – Guidance Notes on Minimum Separation Requirements for Cooling 35
Towers
Appendix 1C – Samples of `Notices and Labels for Cooling Tower System 42
Appendix 1D – A Standard Risk Management Plan for Fresh Water Cooling Tower 43
System
Appendix 1E – A Sample Checklist for Minimum Testing and Commissioning Procedures 46
of Fresh Water Cooling Tower System
Appendix 1F – A Recommended List of Personal Protective Equipment 48

2023 Edition iv
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Definitions

Biocide : A physical or chemical agent that kills bacteria and other

microorganisms.

Biodispersant : A chemical compound added to the water inside cooling tower

system, to penetrate and break down any biofilm that may be
present on the wetted surfaces of the cooling tower system.

Biofilm : A surface layer of microorganisms. It is usually combined with

particulate matter, scale and products of corrosion.

Bleed off (blowdown) : The removal of water from a cooling tower system to maintain the
concentration of total dissolved solids and suspended solids in an
acceptable level.

Commissioning : A systematic and progressive process of putting the components

of a system into operation, calibrating instruments and controls,
and then making adjustments and checks to ensure that the total
system is providing satisfactory operation and performance.

Cooling tower : A device for lowering the temperature of water by evaporative

cooling in which ambient air is in contact with falling water,
thereby exchanging heat. The term also includes those devices
that incorporate a water-refrigerant or water-water heat
exchanger (evaporative condenser or closed-circuit cooling tower).

Cooling tower system : A heat exchange system comprising a heat-generating plant

(chiller condenser or heat exchanger), a heat-rejection plant
(cooling tower or evaporative condenser) and interconnecting
water recirculating pipework and associated pumps, valves and
controls. Cooling tower systems is considered as a part of WACS.

Corrosion coupon : Small strip of metal, usually placed into water circuits so that they
can easily be removed, to enable the corrosion characteristics of
the water to be assessed.

Corrosion inhibitor : Chemical which protects metals by: (a) passivating the metal by
the promotion of a thin metal oxide film (anodic inhibitors); or (b)
physically forming a thin barrier film by controlled deposition
(cathodic inhibitors).

Cycle of concentration : The ratio between the concentration of dissolved solids in the
cooling water and the concentration of dissolved solids in the
make-up water as a result of the evaporation that takes place in
the cooling tower.

2023 Edition v
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Dead leg : Water pipe with length equal to or larger than one diameter of the
pipe, ending at a fitting through which water flows only when the
fitting is opened. These extra areas of the cooling tower system
contain stagnant water, which can cause building up of bacteria
and sludge in recirculating system, and can then contaminate the
system.

Decontamination : A process used when a cooling tower system is found with a level
of bacterial count which involves a series of actions to disinfect,
clean and re-disinfect the cooling tower system.

Disinfection : Preventive maintenance action of applying a treatment to a

system, in conjunction with system cleaning, in order to reduce
the general concentration of infectious agents.

Dispersant : Reagent usually added with other treatment chemicals to prevent

accumulation of sludge.

Drift eliminator : A grid or grille-like arrangement of physical barriers located before

the cooling tower exhaust designed to minimise the drift
emanating from a tower.

Drift : Water lost from the cooling tower as liquid droplets or aerosols
entrained in the exhaust air, excluding condensation.

Exhaust air outlet : A termination of a mechanical or natural ventilation system that

allows air removed from a space and discharged outside the
building. The exhaust air outlets, which are crucial in the
consideration of separation distance with the cooling tower, are
exhausts from kitchens, toilets, outlets of drainage vent pipes,
generator flue discharge, carpark ventilation, fume cupboard and
refuse collection room, and any exhaust that contains
contaminants or nutrients for microbial growth in cooling water.

Fan : A rotary machine which propels air continuously. This is used for
moving air in a mechanical draft tower. The fan may be of induced
draft or forced draft application.

Fill (packing) : Material placed within cooling tower to increase heat and mass
transfer between the circulating water and the air flowing through
the tower.

Filtration : The process of separating solids from a liquid by means of a

porous substance through which only the liquid passes.

Fouling : Organic growth or other deposits on heat transfer surfaces causing

loss in efficiency.

2023 Edition vi
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Heterotrophic colony : The number of viable units of bacteria per millilitre of water
count (HCC) sample. It is also known as Total Bacteria Count (TBC), Total Plate
Count or Viable Bacteria Count.

Legionnaires’ disease : It is a type of bacterial pneumonia caused by legionella.

Medical and health : Hospitals, general clinics, specialist clinics; community support
care premises facilities for the elderly, such as residential elderly homes, social
centre for the elderly; and establishments providing health care
and services for the sick and infirm.

Non-oxidising biocide : A non-oxidising biocide is one that functions by mechanisms other

than oxidation, including interference with cell metabolism and
structure.

Operable window : An operable window is a window that has moving parts, such as
hinges, and can be opened. If a window is permanently locked or
required special tools to be opened, that window would not be
considered as an operable window when examining the separation
distance.

Outdoor air intake : A termination of a mechanical or natural ventilation system that

allows ambient air entering a building. The outdoor air intakes,
which are crucial in the consideration of separation distance with
the cooling tower, are fresh air intake for the air conditioning
system of a building, and any air intake that draws outdoor air into
the building. Vent pipe of water tanks are considered as outdoor
air intake since its draw air from outdoor to the tank during
discharge of water.

Oxidising biocide : Agents capable of oxidising organic matter, e.g. cell material
enzymes or proteins which are associated with microbiological
populations resulting in death of the micro-organisms.

Passivation : The formation of a protective film, visible or invisible, which

controls corrosion.

Plume : The visible discharge of air and moisture from a cooling tower due
to condensation. It is usually most visible in cool and humid days
when water vapour emanates from the cooling tower exhaust.

Public accessible area : An area that is accessible by the public or building occupants other
than building management/maintenance staff. Some of the
examples are pedestrian thoroughfare/ footpath, place where
people gather together for activities, accessible green
roof/garden. Restricted area with proper access control which is
only accessible by building management/maintenance staff is not
considered as a public accessible area.

2023 Edition vii

Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Podium Roof : Roof of the lower part of a building.

Scale : A crystalline deposit that can form on surfaces or pipework within

the cooling tower system due to building up of minerals (usually
calcium carbonate).

Scale inhibitor : Chemicals used to control scale. They function by holding up the
precipitation process and/or distorting the crystal shape, thus
preventing the build-up of a hard adherent scale.

Sludge : A building up of sediment that can be found in the basin or

pipework of a cooling tower system.

Slug dosing/Shock : The process of adding in a single dose a much higher amount of
dosing chemical biocide than is normally applied, with the intention of
rapidly raising the concentration of biocide in the water to a level
expected to kill most of the organisms in the water.

Spray nozzle : A device used in an open distribution system to break up the flow
of the circulating water into droplets, and effect uniform spreading
of the water over the wetted area of the tower.

Stagnant water : Pockets of motionless water within the cooling tower system that
can allow microorganisms to grow.

Temporary shut-down : Cooling tower temporarily shut-down is the entire/part of the

system not in function and isolated from the main water-cooled
condenser/heat exchanger to avoid contamination. Standby
unit(s) with cooling water running once a week is not defined as
temporary shut-down.

Total legionella count : The number of legionella colony-forming units (CFU’s) found in
one millilitre of the water sample.

2023 Edition viii

Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

1. Introduction
1.1 Scope

This Part of the Code of Practice specifies the minimum requirements and good practices for the
design, installation and commissioning of cooling tower systems. This outlines the prescriptive
requirements to minimise health risk posing to the public by using cooling towers, and to maximise
the system operating performance and reasonable energy efficiency in both design and
construction stages. Emphasis has been put on the followings:
a) System design and construction;
b) Minimisation of water loss;
c) Installed location of towers; and
d) System commissioning.

1.2 Objectives

This Part of the Code of Practice aims at providing technical guidelines to every party involved in
the design, installation and commissioning of cooling tower system so as to achieve the following
objectives:
a) Assure the public health and safety by preventing any potential risk associated with cooling
towers system;
b) Achieve better/maintain energy efficiency and operational performance of cooling tower
system;
c) Minimise nuisances caused by cooling tower system to the public;
d) Prevent pollution and misuse of water;
e) Assure occupational safety and health of the staff concerned.

1.3 Applications

1.3.1 This Code of Practice is intended for use by personnel who are responsible for the design,
installation and commissioning of cooling tower systems, etc. It should be applied to the
newly installed systems. Alteration and improvement work of the existing systems shall
preferably be upgraded to comply with this version of CoP or at least continue to comply
with the applicable versions at the time of the original system registration.

2023 Edition 1
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

1.3.2 This Code of Practice should be read in conjunction with any additional recommendations
provided by suppliers/ manufacturers of the water treatment chemicals/ cooling tower
equipment and any relevant specification and applicable ordinances and regulations in
Hong Kong.

1.3.3 EMSD reserves the right to interpret the contents of this Code of Practice.

1.3.4 In case of conflict between the requirements of this Code of Practice and any other
requirements, the following order of priority should apply:
a) All currently in force Legislation and other Subsidiary Legislation.
b) The relevant Codes of Practice and Technical Standards.
c) This Code of Practice.

2023 Edition 2
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

2. Cooling Tower Types and Cooling Tower Systems

2.1 General

Proper design of cooling tower system helps in reducing operational and maintenance problems as
well as environmental impacts arising from system operation.

2.2 Cooling Tower Types

2.2.1 In general, cooling towers are classified based on their construction and air movement
through the cooling tower in relation to the falling water droplets. Both natural draft and
mechanical draft cooling towers are available in the market. Natural draft cooling towers
do not use a mechanical air-moving device and all air movement through the cooling
towers relies on the wind and stack effects. Mechanical draft cooling towers make use of
mechanical fans to force ambient air flowing through the cooling towers. Evaporative
condenser is heat rejection equipment which the working principle is similar to cooling
tower, and should follow the requirements of this Code of Practice.

2.2.2 Both cooling tower and evaporative condenser use water as heat transfer medium to
remove heat from the system. There are two basic types of evaporative cooling towers,
namely direct-contact cooling tower and indirect contact cooling tower.

Cooling Tower

Direct-contact Indirect-contact
Cooling Tower Cooling Tower

Figure 1.1: Classification of cooling tower

2023 Edition 3
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

2.2.3 Direct-contact cooling tower

Direct-contact cooling tower (also known as open-circuit cooling tower) exposes water
directly to the cooling atmosphere, hence transfers the heat from the cooling water
directly to the air. Direct contact cooling towers can be further classified by their
components’ configuration and air draft mechanisms. In general, there are four different
types (Figure. 1.2):

Cooling Tower

Induced Draft Induced Draft Forced Draft Forced Draft

Counter Flow Cross Flow Counter Flow Cross Flow

Figure 1.2: Types of direct-contact cooling towers

a) Induced Draft Counter Flow Type

Fan is installed inside cooling tower, which induces air to flow through louvre openings,
pass through the fill and discharge through the fan. The fan pulls air up through the
tower in the opposite direction to which the water is falling. Water is usually delivered by
means of fixed or rotating spray arms. Drift eliminator is usually placed above the sprays
to prevent loss of water through drift. This type of cooling tower can handle large heat
rejection loads. Therefore, it is suitable for larger cell size and fan size. Larger fan size
operating at low speed may result in greater efficiency and consequently lower power
and sound levels. Typical configuration of induced draft counter flow cooling tower is
shown in Figure 1.3.

2023 Edition 4
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Figure 1.3: Typical configuration of induced draft counter flow cooling tower

b) Induced Draft Cross Flow Type

Fan is used to create an induced air flow into the cooling tower. Air is drawn or induced
across the water falling from the top of the tower to the basin. This tends to give a more
evenly distributed air flow through the fill, when compared with the forced draft design.
Drift eliminator is installed vertically along the fill. Figure 1.4 illustrates the typical
configuration of induced draft cross flow cooling tower.

Figure 1.4: Typical configuration of induced draft cross flow cooling tower

2023 Edition 5
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

c) Forced Draft Counter Flow Type

Fan is generally mounted at low level (inlet air side) of the cooling tower so that air can be
forced upward through the fill. Axial or centrifugal fans can be used depending on
external static pressure requirement and noise limit. Water sprays from the top of the
cooling tower, which is in opposite direction to the air flow. Fan installed at low level
tends to reduce the overall height of the tower and generate low vibration due to rotating
components being located near the base of the tower. Fan unit is placed in a
comparatively dry air stream; this reduces the problem of moisture condensing in the
motor or gearbox. Figure 1.5 shows the typical configuration of forced draft counter flow
cooling tower.

Figure 1.5: Typical configuration of forced draft counter flow cooling tower

d) Forced Draft Cross Flow Type

Fan is mounted on one side and air is forced through the fill horizontally with drift
eliminators on the outlet side. This type of cooling tower is suitable for restricted
headroom and low heat rejection capacity. Typical configuration of forced draft cross
flow cooling tower is shown in Figure 1.6.

Figure 1.6: Typical configuration of forced draft cross flow cooling tower

2023 Edition 6
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

2.2.4 Indirect-contact cooling tower

Indirect-contact cooling tower (also known as closed-circuit cooling tower) involves
indirect contact between the fluid being cooled and the atmosphere, essentially
combining a heat exchanger and cooling tower into one relatively compact device. The
indirect-contact cooling towers, according to their fan configurations, can also be
classified as induced draft counter flow, induced draft cross flow, forced draft counter
flow and forced draft cross flow cooling towers. There are two separate fluid circuits in
an indirect contact cooling tower. An external circuit allows water exposed to the
atmosphere, while internal circuit consists of the tubes of coil bundle carrying fluid to be
cooled. Heat flows from the internal fluid circuit, through the tube walls of the coil to
external water circuit. Heat is then transferred to the atmospheric air. Figure 1.7 shows
the typical configuration of closed-circuit cooling tower with no fill material.

Figure 1.7: Typical configuration of closed-circuit cooling tower with no fill material

2023 Edition 7
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Coil Shed Cooling Tower

Coil shed cooling tower is indirect contact cooling tower which consist of isolated coil
section located at the bottom. There is fill section above the coil section which air stream
is directed only through the fill region. According to fan configurations, both counter-flow
and cross-flow types are available. Figure 1.8 shows the typical configuration of coil shed
cooling tower.

Figure 1.8: Typical configuration of coil shed cooling tower

2.2.5 Evaporative Condenser

The working principle of evaporative condenser is very similar to an indirect contact
cooling tower, except that the refrigerant entering the tubes is in vapour state, which is
subsequently cooled by the falling water. Vapour is condensed to liquid state by releasing
heat to the falling water. Figure 1.9 illustrates the typical configuration of evaporative
condenser.

Figure 1.9: Typical configuration of evaporative condenser

2023 Edition 8
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

2.3 Cooling Tower System

2.3.1 A typical cooling tower system consists of cooling tower, chiller condenser/ heat
exchanger, water pump, chemical water treatment equipment, physical water treatment
equipment, make-up water tank, bleed-off and drainage, pipework and fittings, metering
devices, etc.. It is recommended to integrate the water treatment system to Internet of
Things (IoT) water treatment controller with cloud-based water treatment management
software or central server based Central Control and Monitoring System (CCMS)/ Building
Management System (BMS) of the building. Major components in the system are
elaborated in the following sections. A typical schematic drawing is shown in Appendix 1A.

2.3.2 Fresh water from the mains is commonly adopted by the cooling tower system.

2.3.3 Water pump(s) is installed for circulating water between the cooling tower and the
condenser. Equalising pipe should be provided for multiple cooling tower installation to
prevent overflow of cooling tower water from water basins.

2.3.4 Make-up water is required to compensate water losses due to evaporation, drift and
bleed-off. Make-up water tank should be located at a level higher than the water inlet of
cooling tower; otherwise, booster pump is required to provide sufficient static head for
make-up water.

2.3.5 Water treatment systems, including but not limited to chemical and physical, are essential
for a cooling tower system. They should be applied to tackle the problems of corrosion,
scale and micro-organism growth, hence to enhance cooling tower water quality. Details
should refer to the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers: Part 3 – Water
Treatment Methods.

2.3.6 Water meters should be installed to record the total water consumption and the bleed-off
volume of cooling tower. The make-up water consumption profile is a reasonable
indicator to monitor any abnormal operational conditions of cooling tower.

2.3.7 Energy meter should be installed to measure the energy consumption by the entire
cooling tower system. This gives information to the system owner and property manager
regarding the monthly cumulative energy consumption, which is used to compare the
trend and identify any abnormal operation.

2.3.8 Overflow pipe should be connected to the bleed-off water tank with a separate warning
pipe being discharged into a conspicuous position.

2023 Edition 9
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

2.3.9 Isolation valves should be installed for system with multiple cooling towers to facilitate
cleansing and disinfection of individual cooling tower.

2.3.10 Provision of cleansing water point near cooling tower is recommended to facilitate
cleaning of cooling tower.

2.3.11 It is recommended to adopt intelligent control system for cooling tower on/off and speed
control. This system should also control the operation sequence, speed and temperature
setting of other equipments in the chiller plant. The control system could take into
account the real time outdoor air temperature, condensing and chilled water
temperature, chiller Coefficient of Performance (COP), cooling demand and plume
abatement requirement to obtain the operation mode with maximized overall energy
efficiency.

2023 Edition 10
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3. Cooling Tower Construction and Installation Requirements

3.1 Cooling Tower Shell

3.1.1 Cooling tower shell is the external jacket of a cooling tower that attaches to the cooling
tower framework. It is the structural component to ensure rigidity and integrity of
cooling tower.

3.1.2 Cooling tower shell should be robust and constructed from non-corrosive and rigid
material. It should not foster microbiological growth nor react adversely with water
treatment, cleaning, disinfection and decontamination chemicals. The shell should
withstand cooling tower structural load from internal components, including fill,
framework, water basin as well as fan operation load, wind load and water pressure load.
Also, it should structurally support the attachment of maintenance platform and ladders,
as well as maintenance staff load.

3.1.3 Since cooling tower is usually installed outdoor, the casing should be weather resistant
and opaque to sunlight. If cooling tower is installed indoor, fire-retardant material
complying with the local fire services requirements should be used. All materials in the
cooling tower system should be compatible to each other and should not deteriorate
rapidly in a warm and moist environment.

3.1.4 Where feasible, cooling tower should be constructed, assembled and carried out
performance test in the factory before delivered to site.

3.2 Intake Louvre

3.2.1 Intake louvre forms part of the cooling tower shell, which is used to retain circulating
water and equalise air flow into the cooling tower.

3.2.2 Intake louvre should be designed to prevent water from spilling out and to obstruct direct
sunlight from entering the cooling tower basin to minimise the growth of algae. For cross
flow type cooling towers, two pass superior air inlet louvre screens constructed with
corrosion free material can further eliminate water splashing out. Similar to cooling
tower shell, material used should be weather resistant and opaque to sunlight. Fire-
retardant material complying with the local fire services regulations should be used for
cooling towers installed indoor.

2023 Edition 11
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.2.3 In order to attenuate the noise emitted from cooling tower, acoustic louvres can be
installed where necessary.

3.3 Fill

3.3.1 Fill is a major component in cooling tower to enhance heat and mass transfer and should
be designed to provide maximum surface area for heat transfer process as the efficiency
of cooling tower depends on the contact surface arrangement and contact time between
air and water.

3.3.2 Fill must promote air-water contact while imposing the least possible restriction to air
flow. Material used for fill should be durable, inert to chemical attack and fire-retardant.
Fills should also be designed to facilitate cleaning and do not support bacteria growth.

3.4 Fan and Fan Motor

3.4.1 Fan is used to force or to draw air to pass through the tower with an electric motor as the
drive. Either axial fan or centrifugal fan can be used in cooling tower depending on the
system configuration and other technical requirements.

3.4.2 Cooling tower fan should have sufficient static pressure to encounter the internal static
pressure and additional pressure drop due to silencer or deflector.

3.4.3 Fan blades should be set to the same pitch to avoid unbalanced aerodynamic forces.
Since fan is operated in moisture-laden atmosphere, all materials should be corrosion
resistant. If gearbox is equipped for the fan, it should also be waterproof to prevent the
incursion of cooling water.

3.4.4 Fan motor should be of water-proof type and operate under high humidity condition.
Two-speed motor or Variable Speed Drive (VSD) Motor is recommended to allow cooling
tower fan speed to be varied in responding to different heat rejection load. Also, motor
insulation must withstand thermal aging, moisture, expansion and contraction stresses,
electrical stress, mechanical vibration and shock.

2023 Edition 12
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.5 Water Basin

3.5.1 Water basin is located at the bottom of cooling tower to collect all cooled water from the
tower; therefore, it is in contact with water all the times once the cooling tower is in
operation.

3.5.2 In order to prevent accumulation of dirt and particulates, the basin must be smooth,
without dirt trapping pattern, accessible, cleanable, provided with adequate drain
facilities and screening equipment. Materials used for basin should be non-corrosive,
rigid and easy to clean. Basin sweeping system with nozzles installed around the bottom
of basin could be considered to further prevent accumulation of suspended solids and
building up of sludge. The basin sweeping system could be integrated with the side
stream filtration system.

3.5.3 Basin should be watertight and has adequate fall to allow water flowing to the drain point.
Drainage outlet size depends on capacity of cooling tower, but should not be less than 50
mm of internal diameter, and should be provided at the lowest point of the basin to
facilitate complete drain.

3.5.4 Basin should have sufficient water depth of at least two velocity head measured above
the top level of water outlet in order to prevent vortex forming at the water outlet and
inducing excessive quantities of air. Alternatively, anti-vortex plate, sparge pipe or large
diameter outlet may be used to reduce velocity below the free surface.

3.5.5 Screen should be installed at the bottom level of the sump to filter large impurities, such
as leaves, so as to prevent blockage of the pump. Installation of side-stream filtration is a
good practice to allow cleaning during continuous operation.

3.5.6 Condenser water pipework above the level of the basin should be kept to a minimum to
avoid air ingress and loss of water when system is temporarily shut down.

3.6 Drift Eliminator

3.6.1 Drift eliminator removes entrained water from the discharged air by allowing air to have
sudden changes in direction. The resulting centrifugal force separates the water droplets
from the air, lets the water droplets attach to the eliminator surface and allows them to
return to the cooling tower basin.

2023 Edition 13
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.6.2 Efficiency of drift eliminator depends on the number of directional airflow changes,
spacing between the blade surface, angle of directional change and the capability of drift
eliminator blade to return the collected water to a quiescent area of the plenum. Drift
eliminators can be characterised by their shapes and configuration. Common types of
drift eliminators include cellular (honeycomb), herringbone (blade-type) and waveform.

3.6.3 Drift eliminator should be provided and installed in each cooling tower to facilitate ease of
inspection, cleaning and maintenance. It should be extended across the air stream
without air bypass. Drift eliminator should be made from materials with good corrosion
resistance. It should be durable and can withstand cleaning by water jet.

3.6.4 Drift eliminator should be effective at the air velocity prevailing when the cooling tower is
in operation. Attention should be paid to ensure drift eliminator is well seated and fixed
closely against one another with no gaps where the air stream can bypass the baffle.

3.6.5 Drift emission of the drift eliminator installed in cooling tower should not exceed 0.002%
of the maximum design water circulation rate through the cooling tower. Drift emission
test should be carried out under design maximum air flow and maximum water flow
conditions of the drift eliminator being tested. A test certificate or supporting documents,
which clearly states the test method and the testing conditions, should be provided to
prove the performance of the drift eliminator under the specified testing conditions.

3.6.6 The drift loss performance of the drift eliminator should remain at its design level within
its life cycle.

3.7 Water Distribution Pipework

3.7.1 Gravity-flow distribution and pressure-type system are two common water distribution
systems used inside cooling tower. Gravity-flow distribution consists of distribution plate
with closely and evenly separated orifices. Water is turned into small droplets when
flowing through the orifices and distributes to the fill. Pressure-type system consists of
pipes and spray nozzles, which generate a water spray pattern to allow water spray
evenly passing over the fill.

2023 Edition 14
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.7.2 In order to prevent formation of algae due to direct sunlight, cooling tower adopting
water distribution system should be covered by ultra-violet resistant materials. Materials
used for pipes, spray nozzles and distribute plates should be rigid, corrosion resistant and
do not proliferate bacteria growth.

3.8 Water Circulation Pipework

3.8.1 Cooling tower water circulation system pipework should be designed to avoid dead-leg
and stagnant corners. Simple pipework design should be adopted. If the installation
involves more than one cooling tower, balance pipe between the cooling towers should
be provided.

3.8.2 If the existence of dead-leg cannot be avoided, mitigation measures for dead leg should
be provided, such as installation of manual/automatic drain valve for periodic drain off.

3.8.3 Provision of recirculating pump controlled by a timer to circulate water through the
system periodically (at least once a week) is recommended when cooling towers are
temporary not in use. Purge valve installed at end of pipe riser can avoid stagnant water
as well.

3.8.4 Drain pipe with manual/automatic on/off valve should be provided to each cooling tower
for routine cleaning and emergency decontamination.

3.9 Water Sampling Point

3.9.1 In order to facilitate water sampling, sampling taps should be provided at the cooling
tower system. One sampling tap, for collecting water samples of cooling water, should be
fitted at the pipework where the warmed water enters the cooling towers. Another
sampling tap should be installed at the system for collecting water samples of bleed-off
water.

3.9.2 The pipework of the sampling tap should not be excessively long and should be positioned
as close to the main pipe as possible so as to avoid the problem of dead leg.

3.9.3 Water sampling tap can also be located at the cooling water return line, but not adjacent
to make-up water inlets or dosing points.

2023 Edition 15
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.10 Deflector

Deflector is to divert exhaust air to a specific direction. It is recommended to install deflector on

cooling tower located in the area, where the exhaust from cooling tower may directly affect the
adjacent air intakes and openings, creating a short-circuit problem of cooling tower air flow or
causing nuisance to nearby sensitive receivers.

3.11 Silencer

Silencer should be provided if the noise emitted during operation of cooling tower exceeds the
limit stated in the Noise Control Ordinance and Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of
Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites issued by the
Environmental Protection Department.

3.12 Plume Abatement Measures

Plume abatement measures should be adopted in the cooling tower to minimise the plume caused
by the condensation of the discharged air from cooling tower if the plume is considered as
nuisance to the surroundings. Most air conditioning systems are under partial-load condition
during this period. Advanced distribution of heat rejection capacity among the cooling towers or
other supplementary measures could be adopted for plume abatement.
Plume abatement measures may be provided by:
(i) Performing load sharing among cooling towers;
(ii) Allowing extra heat rejection capacity of cooling tower system to operate the cooling tower
system in partial-load condition;
(iii) For cooling towers with fan speed control, optimising the cooling tower fan speed control to
meet plume abatement with energy efficient strategy during partial-load condition;
(iv) Introducing by-pass air (heated or non-heated ambient air) to the cooling tower before
discharge to the atmosphere, etc.; or
(v) Installing heat recovery type heating coil.

3.13 Access Opening

Access door with minimum dimensions of 600mm (width) × 1 000mm (height) is recommended for
cooling tower to facilitate inspection and maintenance of inner part of the tower. If no access door
is provided due to tower construction constraints, easy dismantle of cooling tower shell should be
allowed for maintenance work.

2023 Edition 16
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.14 Cooling Tower Structure

The structure of cooling tower must accommodate dead loads imposed by the weight of cooling
tower and circulating water, as well as wind load and maintenance load. It must maintain its
integrity throughout a variety of external atmospheric conditions. Overall cooling tower weight
should be taken into account in the design of the building structure.

3.15 Ladder and Handrail

Ladder and handrail should be provided to facilitate routine cleaning, maintenance and inspection.
Cooling tower should be equipped with maintenance platform with toe board, ladders and
permanently fixed access to the level for carrying out normal maintenance. Sufficient safety
provision is required if maintenance work is potentially to be carried out at high level.

3.16 Installation Access

Cooling tower system should be designed to allow easy and safe access for routine cleaning, water
sampling, inspection and maintenance.

3.17 Cooling Tower Supporting Framework

The supporting frame for cooling tower and similar installations are building works subject to the
control of the Buildings Ordinance and subsidiary regulations. Authorized Person should be
appointed to obtain the prior approval of plans and consent for commencement of works from the
Building Authority (BA). Simplified procedures under the Minor Works Control System (MWCS)
may be adopted under certain circumstances. For the details of the MWCS, please refer to website
of the Buildings Department (BD) at https://www.bd.gov.hk and the latest "General Guidelines on
Minor Works Control System", "Technical Guidelines on Minor Works Control System" and “Minor
Works Control System Supporting structures for building services installation, ventilation ducts and
radio base stations” published by the BD. In addition, there are Designated Exempted Works (DEW)
under the MWCS, which can be carried out on prescribed conditions without obtaining prior
approval and consent from the BA nor following the simplified requirements of the MWCS. Details
of the DEW are listed in Schedule 2 of the Building (Minor Works) Regulation.

The frame should not affect lighting and ventilation and not to project over streets. The supporting
plinth of cooling tower should refer to manufacturers’ recommendation in order to prevent
deformation due to incorrect plant load.

2023 Edition 17
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

3.18 High Productivity Construction Method

High Productivity Construction Methods such as Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and
Plumbing (MiMEP) could be considered cooling tower installation. By adopting off-site
prefabrication, such as the MiMEP approach, on-site operation could be minimized, which could
shorten installation time at site, reduce material waste, improve quality control and enhance site
safety. The position of mounting frame should be reviewed carefully to ensure the maintenance
access and clearance will not be compromised.

Condenser water pipes and cooling towers are recommended to be pre-assembled in sectional
modules for modular construction subject to its weight, dimensions, transportation and site
conditions. The sectional modules may cover composition of cooling tower units, pipe headers,
straight pipes, bends, cladding, valves, fittings, pump set modules, associated electrical and control
accessories, metering facilities, steel frame, hanger fixing, provision of vibration isolation
accessories and maintenance platform, where applicable.

2023 Edition 18
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

4. Cooling Tower Installed Location

4.1 General

4.1.1 The cooling tower should be installed at an optimum location to minimise any nuisance
causing to nearby occupants. The works of cooling towers shall be in full compliance with
the Buildings Ordinance.

4.1.2 Any cooling tower should not be placed to protrude beyond the boundary of the lot.

4.1.3 Cooling tower should not affect the floor loading, natural lighting and ventilation, escape
access to alternate staircases and be of no contravention of the Buildings Ordinance.

4.1.4 Minimum Separation Requirements

(a) Horizontal Separation Distance
The minimum horizontal separation measured from the cooling tower exhaust and
cooling tower intake to the nearest critical outdoor air intake, exhaust air outlet, operable
window and public accessible area on its own building and adjacent buildings should
comply with the horizontal separation requirements as shown in Table 1.1. Illustration of
horizontal separation measurement could be referred to Appendix 1B - Figure B1 & Figure
B2.

Table 1.1: Minimum horizontal separation distance from cooling towers

Horizontal Separation Distance
Critical Critical Operable Public
Outdoor air Exhaust air window accessible area
intake (m) Note1 outlet (m) Note2 (m) Note3 (m) Note4
Cooling tower
7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
exhaust
Cooling tower
5 7.5 5 5
intake
Note:
1. Critical outdoor air intake refers to fresh air intakes of the building air conditioning systems (e.g.
primary air unit, air handling unit, lift vent) or any intake that draws fresh air into the occupied
area or vent pipe of water tanks.
2. Critical exhaust air outlet refers to kitchen exhaust, toilet exhaust, car park exhaust, food
processing exhaust, laboratory exhaust, outlet of drainage vent pipe, generator flue discharge
or any exhaust that can contaminate the cooling water or pollute the cooling air.
3. Operable window refers to window that has moving parts, such as hinges, and can be opened.
(Refer to definitions.)
4. Refer to Section 4.1.5 for detail description of public accessible area.
5. Opening and natural outlet are regarded as exhaust.

2023 Edition 19
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

(b) Vertical Separation Distance

If the minimum horizontal separation distance stated in Table 1.1 cannot be compiled,
minimum vertical separation requirements listed in Table 1.2 and 1.3 should be followed.
Illustration of vertical separation measurement could be referred to Appendix 1B - Figure
B3 & Figure B4.

Table 1.2: Minimum vertical separation distance above cooling towers

Vertical Separation Distance (above cooling tower)
Location: Critical outdoor Critical exhaust Operable Public
above the air intake (m) air outlet (m) window (m) accessible area
cooling tower (m)
Cooling tower
20 20Note1 20 20
exhaust
Cooling tower
5 7.5 5 5
intake
Note:
1. If the critical exhaust air outlet is interlocked with non-return damper, or alike, to prevent
infiltration when the exhaust system is not in operation, the exhaust outlet should be distant
from the cooling tower exhaust with a minimum of 7.5m separation.

Table 1.3: Minimum vertical separation distance below cooling tower

Vertical Separation Distance (below cooling tower)
Location: Critical outdoor Critical exhaust Operable Public
below the air intake (m) air outlet (m) window (m) accessible area
cooling tower (m)
Cooling tower 9.3
exhaust 7.5 7.5 7.5 (7.5+1.8Note1 )

Cooling tower 6.8

intake 5 7.5 5 (5+1.8)

Note:
1. 1.8m above ground is counting for breathing zone for pedestrian. Examples could be referred
to Appendix 1B – Figure B4.

4.1.5 No public accessible area should be located within 7.5m horizontal separation distance
from the cooling tower exhaust and 5m horizontal separation distance from the cooling
tower intake. Public accessible green roof is considered as public accessible area, same
separation requirements are applied. Special arrangement for the cooling tower
installation could be considered for satisfying the separation requirements. Examples
could be referred to Appendix 1B – Figure B5 to B7.

4.1.6 If the exhaust air from a cooling tower system discharges towards a louvre or an opening,
a deflector or an air ductwork should be provided to divert the exhaust air from cooling
tower to an appropriate direction.

2023 Edition 20
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

4.1.7 If the cooling tower is installed outdoors with an extended ductwork for exhaust air,
measurement should be taken from the exhaust termination of the ductwork. If the
cooling tower is installed in an enclosed cooling tower plant room, measurement should
be taken from the exhaust/intake termination of the cooling tower plant room.
Illustration of separation measurement could be referred to Appendix 1B - Figure B8 &
Figure B9.

4.1.8 If cooling tower is installed below an extended podium, a minimum horizontal separation
of 7.5m between the edge of the extended podium and the nearest edge of plant room’s
opening/ louvre should be maintained. Otherwise, the building blocks and accessible area
on the podium should be distant from the edge of the podium with a minimum of 7.5m
separation. Illustration of separation measurement could be referred to Appendix 1B -
Figure B10.

4.1.9 The prevailing wind condition should be considered to determine if the cooling tower
exhaust will create nuisance to the third party (including the occupants inside a building
and the surroundings).

4.2 Cooling Towers installed on Building Roof

4.2.1 Cooling tower installed on building roof should maintain adequate separation from the
nearest outdoor air intake, exhaust air outlet, operable window, public accessible area as
stipulated in Section 4.1, so that the drift and air emitted from the cooling tower will not
enter the building through the outdoor air intake and operable window or the exhaust air
from the building will not become the cooling air for the cooling tower.

4.3 Cooling Towers installed on Podium Roof

4.3.1 Cooling tower installed on podium roof is possibly to be surrounded by residential blocks,
which may affect the air flow pattern and dispersion of drift within that region. Therefore,
cooling tower location should be carefully selected so that exhaust air, drift and plume
generated from cooling tower would not cause nuisance to the residents.

2023 Edition 21
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

4.3.2 Cooling tower installed on podium roof should maintain adequate separation from the
nearest outdoor air intake, exhaust air outlet, operable window, public accessible area as
stipulated in Section 4.1, so that the drift and air emitted from the cooling tower will not
enter the building through the outdoor air intake and operable window or the exhaust air
from the building will not become the cooling air for the cooling tower.

4.3.3 In all cases, cooling tower exhaust air should be discharged away from building operable
windows and outdoor air intakes.

4.4 Cooling Tower installed indoors with Vertical Discharge

through Roof or Horizontal Discharge through Side Wall

4.4.1 Cooling tower if located indoor should be installed in a designated plant room. The plant
room should not be accessible by public.

4.4.2 The fire resisting construction for cooling tower plant room and penetrations of
associated pipework/ductwork through fire resisting walls/slabs should be in full
compliance with the Buildings Ordinance.

4.4.3 Sufficient fresh air should be provided to maintain normal operation of cooling tower
systems.

4.4.4 For cooling tower with vertical discharge through roof or horizontal discharge through
side wall, the minimum separation distance from the cooling tower exhaust to the
outdoor air intake, operable window, and public accessible area should meet the
requirements as stipulated in Section 4.1.

4.5 Cooling Towers installed at Other Locations

If the horizontal separation distance between the cooling tower exhaust and the domestic
buildings or medical and health care premises is within 20m, applicants should carry out a technical
assessment and submit a copy of technical assessment report to the EMSD with the satisfaction of
EMSD. The technical assessment report should include plume abatement report, master layout
plans indicating nature of surrounding buildings , separation distance between cooling towers and
domestic buildings or medical and health care premises, etc., in order to substantiate the proposed
installation location of cooling towers are situated at an optimum location with minimal nuisance
causing to the nearby residents/ occupants. The exhaust of cooling tower should be facing upwards
or appropriate direction to avoid direct facing to the nearby occupants.

2023 Edition 22
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

4.6 Minimum Separation between Cooling Towers

Separation distance between cooling towers installed adjacent to each other should refer to
technical recommendations provided by cooling tower manufacturers. The minimum separation
should be kept in order to ensure the heat rejection performance of cooling towers is not affected.
If no recommendation from the manufacturer is given, the minimum separation distance should
not be less than the lateral width of the cooling tower.

4.7 Minimum Separation from Physical Barrier

Obstruction of fresh air intake for cooling tower may have adverse influence to heat rejection
performance. Minimum separation requirement between cooling tower and physical barrier as
recommended by cooling tower manufacturers should be followed. If no recommendation from
the manufacturer is given, the minimum separation distance should not be less than the lateral
width of the cooling tower.

4.8 Installation Location at a Composite Building (Residential

and Commercial)

4.8.1 If the cooling tower is installed at an composite building (residential and commercial), an
applicant should also carry out a technical assessment and submit a copy of technical
assessment report to EMSD with the satisfaction of EMSD in addition to satisfying the
minimum separation distance requirements as specified in Section 4.1. The technical
assessment report should include plume abatement report, master layout plans
indicating nature of surrounding buildings, separation distance between cooling towers
and domestic buildings or medical and health care premises, etc., in order to substantiate
the proposed installation location of cooling towers are situated at an optimum location
with minimal nuisance causing to the nearby residents/occupants.

4.8.2 The preferred installation location of cooling towers should be distant from the domestic
block the farthest, and cause the least nuisance to the residents and nearby occupants.

4.8.3 Cooling tower exhaust air should be discharged away from buildings’ operable windows
and outdoor air intakes. The location of cooling tower should be at an optimum location
to minimise nuisance to nearby occupants.

2023 Edition 23
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

4.8.4 If horizontal separation distance between the cooling tower exhaust and the domestic
buildings or medical and health care premises is within 20m, the exhaust of cooling tower
should be facing upwards or appropriate direction to avoid direct facing to the nearby
occupants.

4.8.5 Plume abatement measure should be adopted for cooling towers which are installed in
composite building. Plume abatement report endorsed by the owner of the cooling tower
system should be submitted at the initial project design stage.

4.8.6 Risk management plan for the cooling tower system should be prepared and submitted
with the application by the owner/designer of the cooling tower system. For detail of Risk
Management Plan, refer to Section 7.2 of Part 1 of this Code of Practice.

4.9 Installed Location not fulfilling the Required Minimum

Separation

The requirements of minimum separation as specified in the Section 4.1 should be satisfied in
normal circumstance. In the event that the requirement on minimum separation cannot be met,
alternative mitigation measures can be provided by system owner/designer to minimise any
potential risk with substantiation for consideration. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
simulation may be used to assist in providing justification in critical case.

2023 Edition 24
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

5. Cooling Water and Bleed-off Water Control

5.1 Cooling Water Quality Control

5.1.1 General
Good cooling water quality of cooling towers can minimise scaling and biofouling
problems such that effective heat exchange in condenser/heat exchanger can be
maintained. The Part 3 of this Code of Practice provides details of water treatment for
cooling towers.

5.1.2 Cooling water quality

a) Fresh water cooling tower system should be properly designed to achieve the
relevant water quality targets as described in the tables in the Part 2 of this Code of
Practice.
b) Quality of cooling water discharged from cooling tower system should comply with
the requirements stipulated in the EPD’s Technical Memorandum on Standards for
Effluent Discharged into Drainage and Sewerage Systems, Inland and Coastal Waters.
It should be noted that the effluent discharge requirement may vary with the
discharge flow rate.

5.2 Bleed-off Control and Reuse of Bleed-off Water

5.2.1 General
Bleed-off is required to maintain the concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS),
insoluble precipitates, other chemical constituents and pH value of cooling tower at an
acceptable level. Bleed-off is preferred to be performed automatically by a conductivity
sensor. Bleed-off immediately after chemical dosage should be avoided to minimise
chemicals wastage. Timer Control or manual bleed-off is not preferred unless automatic
bleed-off by a conductivity sensor is not practicable.

5.2.2 Bleed-off water quantity

In order to prevent water wastage, the minimum cycle of concentration in designing
water treatment program and bleed off requirement should not be less than six (6) for
fresh water cooling tower system. Drainage system should be designed based on the
estimated bleed-off quantity.

2023 Edition 25
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

5.2.3 Bleed-off water quality

The quality of bleed-off water from cooling tower should satisfy the standard specified in
the Technical Memorandum on Standards for Effluent Discharged into Drainage and
Sewerage System, Inland and Coastal Waters issued under the Water Pollution Control
Ordinance. Other standards that are set for toxic metals should also be complied with.

5.2.4 Reuse of bleed-off water

a) The bleed-off water from cooling tower should be reused for flushing purpose by
discharging it to a retention tank before transferring it to the flushing water tank or
discharging it directly to the flushing water tank. In both cases, the retention tank or
the flushing tank should be designed to store bleed-off water discharged by the
cooling tower of not less than two hours of operation. If bleed-off water is directly
discharged to the flushing water tank, adequate capacity in the flushing water tank
should be reserved to prevent overflowing. In both cases, the bleed-off water
should be prioritised to refill the flushing tank.

b) WSD’s quality requirements for flushing water should be referred to Table 2.2 in Part
2 of the Code of Practice. If the bleed-off water quality is found beyond the water
quality requirements as listed in the Table 2.2, the flushing water at distribution
should be regularly checked and closely monitored for compliance. The bleed-off
water may be treated when necessary to achieve the stated water quality criteria for
flushing supply at distribution.

c) In case of bleed-off water cannot be fully utilised for flushing, owners or designer of
the cooling tower should propose other alternatives for the arrangement of utilising
the bleed-off water for the satisfaction of relevant authorities.

5.2.5 Bleed-off water directly discharged to public sewerage system

Direct discharge of bleed-off water should not be made to the public sewerage system in
the physical arrangement. The owner / designer of the cooling tower system should
submit an application for not reusing bleed-off water for flushing to the satisfaction of the
relevant authorities in order to obtain a special permission. In case the bleed-off water is
not reused for flushing, wholly or partially, a retention tank may be required to be
installed to withhold the bleed-off water for discharge to the public sewerage at the time
to be agreed by the relevant authorities. For application of the licence for the discharge
of bleed-off water, please refer to the FWCT Scheme Brochure.

2023 Edition 26
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

6. Notices and Labels

6.1 All cooling towers, water treatment equipment, water tanks and pipeworks should be
properly labeled to provide clear indication for operation and maintenance personnel.

6.2 A nameplate engraved with EMSD registration number should be provided for each cooling
tower.

6.3 Warning signs should be erected to alert operation and maintenance personnel of the
potential hazard caused by cooling tower.

6.4 Warning signs should also be erected to restrict unauthorised access to cooling towers.

6.5 Labels and signs should be durable and securely fixed/marked on the following location.
The English and Chinese characters of the labels and signs should be at least 8mm and
15mm high respectively.
a) Outside cooling tower apparatus area/room;
b) Outside chiller plant and condensing water pump area/room;
c) Make-up pipe;
d) Bleed-off pipe;
e) Condensing water supply & return pipe;
f) Dead-leg purge valve;
g) Water sampling valve/tap;
h) Water treatment product handling area;
i) Cooling water quality control station;
j) Make-up condensing water tank;
k) Bleed-off water break tank; and
l) Flushing water tank.

6.6 Samples of notices and labels could be referred to Appendix 1C.

2023 Edition 27
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

7. Risk Management of a Cooling Tower System

7.1 General

If cooling tower system is installed in medical and health premises and any other premises which
are considered necessary, a risk management plan for the cooling tower system should be
developed and the risk management plan should be endorsed by the owner of the cooling tower
system.

7.2 Risk Management Plan

7.2.1 The risk management plan for the cooling tower system should be prepared when
designing the cooling tower system or whenever necessary. In developing risk
management plan for complicated cooling tower systems, consultation with experienced
system designers, cooling tower suppliers, water treatment service provider, operation
and maintenance (O&M) contractor of cooling tower and occupational hygienists is
suggested.

7.2.2 The general guidelines for developing a risk management plan for a cooling tower system
are shown below.
a) To provide the site and key contact details of the cooling tower system.
b) To identify, but not limited to, the following risk that are potentially found in a
cooling tower system
 Stagnant water
 Nutrient growth
 Poor water quality
 Deficiencies in the cooling tower system
 Location and access
c) To assess the above risks if they are found in the respective cooling tower system.
d) To recommend the mitigation measures if the above risks are found in the
respective cooling tower system.
e) To formulate an operational programme based on the above risk assessment
results and recommended mitigation measures. The contents should at least
include frequencies of inspection, service, cleaning, disinfection, HCC testing and
legionella testing.

2023 Edition 28
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

f) To provide a communication plan in case the cooling tower system is required to

be attended urgently, such as positive Legionella testing results, complaints from
the public, etc.
g) To provide a procedure for monitoring and reviewing the Risk Management Plan.

7.2.3 Risk management plan should be submitted along with the application to use cooling
towers in the air conditioning system or whenever requested by EMSD.

7.2.4 A standard risk management plan is shown in Appendix 1D for reference.

7.2.5 Risk management plan is required to be reviewed under the following circumstances:
a) Results of checks indicate that mitigation measures are ineffective; or
b) If a case of Legionnaires’ disease is associated with a building.

2023 Edition 29
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

8. Testing and Commissioning of Cooling Tower Systems

8.1 Testing and Commissioning

Testing and commissioning of cooling tower should be witnessed by a registered professional

engineer (RPE) in Building Services or Mechanical discipline. A sample checklist for testing and
commissioning of cooling tower system can be referred to Appendix 1E.

8.2 Occupational Safety and Health

8.2.1 The employers or occupiers must ensure safety and health at work of all employees under
the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.

8.2.2 Sufficient personal protective equipment should be provided to the personnel responsible
to carry out testing and commissioning work of a cooling tower system. Recommended
list of personal protective equipment required related to different job nature is shown in
Appendix 1F.

8.2.3 Eye wash bottles or washing basin with fresh water tap should be provided adjacent to
water treatment chemicals tanks or any appropriate location for emergency use. The
water contained in the eye wash bottle should be replaced periodically.

8.2.4 Water treatment chemical should be stored at an appropriate location to facilitate

chemical handling.

8.2.5 Mechanical/natural ventilation should be provided to the room entirely/partially used for
water treatment chemical storage.

8.2.6 Electrical fittings and luminaries serving water treatment chemical storage area should be
weather-proof and corrosion resistant type.

2023 Edition 30
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

9. Design and Commissioning Records

9.1 Formal design and commissioning records of a cooling tower system should be kept by the
cooling tower owner for the whole life of the system. The records should be made
available for inspections upon request by Government appointed officials. The record
should include, but not limited to the following:
a) The name, contact phone and address of the owner of the cooling tower system;
b) The name, contact phone and address of the cooling tower designer, who is
responsible for the design of the cooling tower system;
c) The name, contact phone and address of the cooling tower contractor, who is
responsible for the installation, testing and commissioning of the cooling tower
system;
d) Design details of the cooling tower system;
e) Descriptions of the cooling towers and water treatment equipment, including their
locations, technical specifications, models, capacities and year of
manufacture/installation as well as correct operation procedure;
f) Testing results of all equipment in the cooling tower system; and
g) Water sampling results.

9.2 The operation and maintenance (O&M) manual of the cooling tower system should be
prepared by the O&M contractor of cooling tower and kept by the owner of cooling tower
system. The O&M manual should at least consist of the followings:
a) Technical details of all equipment in a cooling tower system, including drawings of
the plant, equipment and systems;
b) System schematic and layout plan showing the locations of cooling towers and the
nearby openings in the building and the adjacent buildings;
c) Manufacturers’ recommendations on operation and maintenance of all equipment
in the cooling tower system;
d) A programme for routine chemical treatment, cleaning, desludging and
disinfection of the cooling tower;
e) Details of water chemicals used for water treatment;
f) Recommended cleaning methods and dismantling instructions; and
g) Start-up, operating and shut-down procedures.

2023 Edition 31
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

10. Qualification of A System Designer

A fresh water cooling tower system should be designed by a registered professional engineer (RPE)
in Building Services or Mechanical discipline.

2023 Edition 32
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

11. Reference Information

11.1 The following Ordinances, Technical Memorandum and Code of Practice should be
compiled with in the design, installation and commissioning of cooling towers:
 Waterworks Ordinance (WWO) (Cap. 102)
 Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123)
 Sewage Services Ordinance (SSO) (Cap. 463)
 Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO) (Cap. 358)
 Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) (Cap. 311)
 Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) (Cap. 400)
 Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (OSHO) (Cap. 509)
 Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (PHMSO) (Cap. 132)
 Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (BEEO) (Cap. 610)
 Technical Memorandum on Standards for Effluent Discharged into Drainage and
Sewerage System, Inland and Coastal Waters, EPD
 Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than
Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites, EPD
 Fresh Water Cooling Towers Scheme, EMSD
 Code of Practice for the Prevention of Legionnaires’ Disease, PLDC

11.2 It is advised that designers should check other relevant statutory requirements and seek
the professional advice from a Licensed Plumber, an Authorized Person (AP) and a
Registered Professional Engineer (RPE) of Building Services or Mechanical disciplines when
they have queries in the standard of work required.

2023 Edition 33
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Appendix 1A
Typical Schematic Diagram of Fresh Water Cooling Towers Condensing
Water Circuit

2023 Edition 34
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Appendix 1B
Guidance Notes on Minimum Separation Requirements for Cooling
Towers
B1 - General Separation Measurement
The minimum horizontal separation should be measured from the nearest edge of the
cooling tower exhaust / intake to the nearest edge of the outdoor air intake, exhaust air
outlet or operable window. Also, horizontal distance should be considered separately from
the vertical distance and they should not be summed up together or used directional
distance to meet the minimum separation requirement. The figures below illustrate some
common misinterpretations with respect to the requirement of this Code of Practice.

Figure B1 – General Separation Measurement

2023 Edition 35
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

B2 – Minimum Horizontal and Vertical Separation

(Details refer Section 4.1.4)

B2.1 - Horizontal Separation

The cooling tower’s exhaust/ intake louvre should be distant from critical louvres/
operable windows/ public accessible area (including public accessible green roof) with
minimum horizontal distance as shown in Figure B2.

Figure B2 – Horizontal Separation

2023 Edition 36
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

B2.2 - Vertical Separation

If the minimum horizontal distance cannot be complied, minimum vertical separation
distance as shown in Figure B3 and Figure B4 should be fulfilled.

Figure B3 – Vertical Separation

2023 Edition 37
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Figure B4 – Vertical Separation with public accessible area

B3 – Reference Cases

B3.1 - Special Arrangement for meeting the minimum separation

requirements
(Refer to Section 4.1.5)

Figure B5 – Provision of permanent fixed physical barrier

2023 Edition 38
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Figure B6 – Provision of overhead cover

Figure B7 – Provision of non-perforated barrier

2023 Edition 39
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

B3.2 – Cooling Tower installed at enclosed plant room

(refer to Section 4.1.7)

Figure B8 – Cooling tower at enclosed plant room

Figure B9 - Cooling tower at enclosed plant room

2023 Edition 40
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

B3.3 – Cooling towers below extended podium

(refer to Section 4.1.8)

Figure B10 – Cooling towers below extended podium

2023 Edition 41
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Appendix 1C
Samples of Notices and Labels for Cooling Tower System

(i) Cooling Tower Registration No.:

機電工程署登記號碼 Text height min.
EMSD Reg. No. PS-2016-000-001 No. 1 50mm

(ii) Window located in cooling tower restricted area:

此窗戶位於冷卻塔限制範圍內，除緊急情況外，須保持關閉。
This window is located in cooling tower restricted area. It should be closed except emergency.

(iii) Passage located in cooling tower restricted area:

此通道位於冷卻塔限制範圍內，除緊急情況外，請勿進入。
This passage located in cooling tower restricted area. No entry except emergency.

(iv) Cooling water sampling point:

冷卻水取水樣本點(須每月取樣檢測)
Cooling water sampling point(Water sampling for testing monthly)

(v) Bleed-off water sampling point:

泄放水取水樣本點(須每三個月取樣檢測)
Bleed-off water sampling point (Water sampling for testing every 3 months)

(vi) Stagnant water purging valve:

死水排放閥門
(須每星期排放最少 15 分鐘)
Stagnant water purging valve
(Purge at least 15 minutes weekly)

2023 Edition 42
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Appendix 1D
A Standard Risk Management Plan for Fresh Water Cooling Tower System

A. System Description
Record Details
Building Name and Building Address
Cooling tower type
Number of cooling tower in system
Heat rejection capacities of the cooling towers
Building owner’s name/contact details*
Owner of cooling tower ’s name and contact details*
Designer of cooling tower system ’s name and contact details*

* To include company name, contact person’s business and after office hours telephone numbers

B. Major Risks – Location and Access

Types of Risk Assessment Mitigation
Measures
Cooling tower system is located in/near an acute
health or aged residential care facility
Cooling tower exhaust creates nuisances to the public
Cooling tower exhaust affects the intake and/or
exhaust of nearby ventilation system
Nearby air exhaust to supply nutrients for bacteria
growth in cooling tower system (kitchen, toilet and
carpark exhausts)
Cooling tower next to public accessible area (including
public green roof)
Potential danger to maintenance workers

C. Major Risks – Deficiencies in cooling tower system

Types of Risk Assessment Mitigation
Measures
Drift emission from cooling tower
Materials used support micro-organisms proliferation
Failure of cooling tower system structure

2023 Edition 43
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

D. Major Risks – Stagnant Water

Types of Risk Assessment Mitigation
Measures
Dead legs exist in water pipework
Cooling tower(s) and associated pipework not in use
for more than a month

E. Major Risks – Nutrient Growth

Types of Risk Assessment Mitigation
Measures
Contamination from surrounding area(s) (an increase
of nutrients for bacteria growth in cooling tower
system)
Cooling tower’s wetted surfaces expose to direct
sunlight (enhancing algae growth)
Corrosion of system components

F. Major Risks – Poor Water Quality

Types of Risk Assessment Mitigation
Measures
HCC count
Legionella Count
Bleed-off water quality
Malfunctioned chemical dosing system

G. Other Risks
Types of Risk Assessment Mitigation
Measures

2023 Edition 44
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

H. Attachments
□ Operation programme based on the above risk assessment result.
□ Communication plan in case the cooling tower system is required to be attended urgently, such
as positive legionella testing results, complaints from the public, etc.
□ Procedure for monitoring and reviewing the Risk Management Plan.

2023 Edition 45
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Appendix 1E
A Sample Checklist for Minimum Testing and Commissioning Procedures
of Fresh Water Cooling Tower System

Building Name :
Cooling Tower Designation :
Cooling Tower Type :
Manufacturer/Model No. :
Location :

A. Physical Check
Items Accepted Not Accepted
1. General Condition of Cooling Tower
2. Cleanliness of basin
3. Fixing of Drift Eliminator
4. Fixing of Fill
5. Fans Rotation without Obstruction
6. Fan & Pump Motor for Proper Rotation
7. Noise/Vibration
8. Drive Alignment/Belt Tension
9. Other Components, Bolts, Fixing, etc.
10. Bearings Lubrication
11. Drainage & Fall
12. Strainer Cleanliness
13. Ball Float Valve Function
14. Tower Water Level
15. Water Distribution
16. Water Treatment Equipment
17. Electrical Supply Connection
18. Earth Bonding

2023 Edition 46
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

B. Cooling Tower Thermal Performance Check

Parameters Unit Design Data Test Results
1. Heat Rejection Capacity kW
2. Air Flowrate m3/s
3. Entering Air Dry Bulb Temperature °C
4. Entering Air Wet Bulb Temperature °C
5. Leaving Air Dry Bulb Temperature °C
6. Leaving Air Wet Bulb Temperature °C
7. Cooling Water Flow Rate L/s
8. Cooling Water Entering Temperature °C
9. Cooling Water Leaving Temperature °C
10. Make-up Water Quantity L/s
11. Constant Bleed Water Quantity L/s

C. Cooling Tower Fan Check

Parameters Unit Design Data Test Results
1. Fan Type -
2. Fan Diameter m
3. Fan Volume m3/s
4. Fan Power kW
5. Fan Pressure Pa

D. Cooling Tower Electrical Test

Parameters Unit Design Data Test Results
1. Supply Voltage V
2. Motor Starting Current A
3. Motor Running Current A
4. Motor/Fan Speed rpm
5. Phase – Phase Motor Insulation MΩ
(RY/YB/BR)
6. Phase – Earth Motor Insulation (RY/YB/BR) MΩ
7. Motor Starter Type -

2023 Edition 47
Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers
Part 1: Design, Installation and Commissioning

Appendix 1F
A Recommended List of Personal Protective Equipment

Job Potential Hazard Respirator and Clothing

Testing and commissioning Aerosol Half face piece, capable of filtering smaller
than 5µm particulates, ordinary work
clothing
Inspection Aerosol Half face piece, capable of filtering smaller
than 5µm particulates, ordinary work
clothing
Water Sampling Aerosol Half face piece, capable of filtering smaller
than 5µm particulates, ordinary work
clothing
High pressure spraying Aerosol Respirator as above, waterproof overalls,
gloves, boots, goggles or face shield
Chemical treatment with Spray mist and very low Half face piece, acid gas and particulate
sodium hypo-chlorite concentration chlorine respirator, goggles or face shield, overalls,
solution in ventilated space gloves, and boots
As above, in confined space Unknown chlorine To comply with the requirement under the
concentration, high mist, Factories and Industrial Undertakings
possible lack of oxygen (Confined Spaces) Regulation

2023 Edition 48
機電工程署 能源效益事務處
香港九龍灣啟成街三號
Energy Efficiency Office
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
電話 Tel: (852) 3912 0642
傳真 Fax: (852) 2890 6081
網址 Website: https://www.emsd.gov.hk
電郵 Email: [email protected]