2010 Victorian changes to cooling tower registration

Reported by the Building Commission of Victoria, from January 2010 the Department of Health will be taking over the management of the cooling tower systems registration process. This is part of a realignment project that has come about due to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Previously, cooling tower systems, were required to be registered with the Building Commission, these new changes shift this responsibility to the Department of Health.

Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008

The Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008 and related Regulations received Royal Assent in September 2008, and will commence on 1 January 2010. This new Act replaces the previous Health Act 1958. It will update and modernise Victoria?s public health framework. The Act is a key piece of legislation designed to protect the health of the population.

To support the development of the new legislative framework, the Victorian Government conducted a major review of the Health Act 1958. This included the release of a discussion paper in 2004 and a draft policy paper in 2005

Cooling Tower Systems

Cooling tower systems are energy-efficient cooling device however they can pose risks to people in the immediate vicinity of the system during its operation. Cooling towers remove heat using a combination of two methods; evaporation and the use of air.^[1]

Cooling towers can pose a health problem (Legionellosis, also known as Legionnaires' disease)^[2] when the recirculating water used in the cooling tower system is contaminated with Legionella bacteria ^[3]. The problem occurs when people who are susceptible to the Legionella bacteria breathe contaminated water from the cooling tower system as tiny droplets.

Hospitals and aged care facilities are regarded as the highest risk facilities for Legionnaires' disease because of the susceptibility of the patients and residents to Legionella bacteria.

More Information

To be kept informed and receive the latest information, make sure your details are on the Legionella Risk Management Project mailing list. You can do this by telephoning the toll free information line on 1800 248 898 or by emailing your details to lrmp@dhs.vic.gov.au

Sources:

• Building Commission - Registration of Cooling Tower Systems
• State Government of Victoria, Department of Health

References:
[1] eHow - How Does a Cooling Tower Work?
[2] Wikipedia - Legionellosis or Legionnaires' disease
[3] Wikipedia - Legionella