Cooling towers in Brighton & Hove
How cooling towers work
Wet cooling systems (cooling towers and evaporative condensers) have been associated with outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease in recent years. Legionnaires disease is a serious type of pneumonia which can in some cases be fatal.
It is caused by a type of bacteria known as legionella pneumophila which can be present in water. Normally it does not cause a problem but it can multiply under certain conditions such as if water is kept stagnant for a period of time and the temperature is between 20° and 40° celsius.
Cooling towers can use large quantities of water to take away heat generated by industrial processes or air conditioning systems. The water which takes away the heat evaporates into tiny droplets called aerosols which are the released from the top of the cooling tower into the atmosphere.
If the aerosols contain legionellae bacteria then people could become ill by breathing in the aerosols. Cooling towers do not cause any problems if they are properly cleaned and maintained and the water is treated to kill the bacteria.
Further information on legionnaires disease can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.
Cooling towers in premises where the council is responsible for enforcement of health and safety are inspected on an annual basis to ensure that they are being maintained in a safe condition and are not a risk to public health. Other premises such as factories, hospitals or council buildings which have cooling towers come under the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) for enforcement.
Cooling tower register for Brighton & Hove
The council keeps a register of all cooling towers and wet cooling systems in its area. The register for Brighton & Hove is detailed in the tables below. If you have any queries regarding legionnaires disease or cooling towers please contact the Health and Safety Team.
Cooling towers enforced by Brighton & Hove City Council
Name | Address | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Nile House | Nile Street, Brighton BN1 1PH | 2 | Operational |
Ovest House | 58 West Street, Brighton | 1 | Operational |
Brake Bros | Crowhurst Rd, Hollingbury, Brighton, BN1 8AF | 1 | Operational |
American Express | Amex House, Edward Street, Brighton, BN2 2LP | 1 | Operational |
American Express | 1 John Street, Brighton, BN88 1NH | 5 | Operational |
Cooling towers enforced by the Health and Safety Executive
Name | Address | Number | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Pensions Regulator | Napier House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton, BN1 4EB | 1 | Operational |
Brighton Centre | Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2GR | 2 | Operational |
Duty to notify 'wet cooling systems'
Anyone who has control of a premises in the city has a duty (under the Notification of Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers Regulations 1992) to notify the council in writing with details of cooling towers and evaporative condensers. There is an exception for cooling towers and condensers that contain water that is not exposed to the air and the water and electricity supply are not connected.
Devices which become redundant and are decommissioned or dismantled, must also be notified.
Contact the team
For more information about health and safety contact the Health and Safety Team:
- phone 01273 294 429
- send an email to ehl.safety@brighton-hove.gov.uk
- or visit Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton, BN1 1JP.