**Update March 30, 2012** - Cooling Tower Registration Forms
Legionella bacteria can cause a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. People with predisposing risk factors may become ill if they inhale small droplets of water containing this bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is not spread person to person. Cooling towers, hot water tanks, shower heads, large plumbing systems, whirlpool spas, and parts of air conditioning systems of large buildings have been implicated as a source of exposure to legionella bacteria.
For more information on Legionella please click here.
Hot Tubs
Hot tubs have also been found to be a source of Legionaires’ disease. Good hot tub maintenance is critical in preventing illness. More information on health concerns and hot tubs is available here.
Cooling Towers
Cooling Tower Registry By-law No. 11-078
The City of Hamilton Cooling Tower Registry (CTR) By-law No. 11-078 came into effect on March 9, 2011. All Cooling Towers must be registered with Public Health Services. All registration information must be updated annually! This registry is necessary for Public Health Services to protect the health of the Hamilton population by diminishing the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria to those individuals who live and work in the community.
Cooling Tower Registry Bylaw No. 11-078 - This By-law requires that all Cooling Tower owners or operators:
1. Register each cooling tower annually;
2. Have a Risk Management Plan (RMP) for each cooling tower; and
3. Maintain an up-to-date log book for each cooling tower .
Instructions - How to Register your Cooling Tower for First Time Registrants
Instructions - How to Update Your Existing Registration
Registration Form - Public Health Services will be requiring all Cooling Tower owners to complete this form upon registration. Any changes to the information on this form must be submitted to Public Health Services within 10 days of any changes.
Cooling Tower Registration Forms
Risk Management Plan Template - This working document is a template to assist operators develop their own Risk Managment Plan.
ASHRAE - American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc (2000) CTI - Cooling Technology Institute (2006)
Related Cooling Tower Registry Documents
Board of Health Report (January 2011) - Public Health Services reported back to the Board of Health with the final Cooling Tower Registry By-law.
Letter to Stakeholders - October 2010 - Letter mailed to stakeholders requesting feedback regarding the Risk Management Template.
Evaluation Survey - Registration Forms consultation with Cooling Tower operators and owners.
Letter to Stakeholders - May 2010 - Letter mailed to stakeholders introducing the draft Registration and Cooling Tower Details forms.
Board of Health Report (April 2010) - Public Health Services reported back to the Board of Health with a Draft Cooling Tower Registry By-law.
Industry Consultation (January 2010) - Summary of findings from the initial public consultation that occured in late 2009.
Board of Health Background Report - In June 2009 the Board of Health directed PHS to consult with stakeholders and report back with a draft cooling tower registry bylaw. Legionella & Cooling Towers – International Literature Search prepared by McMaster Institute of Environment and Health (MIEH)
Introductory Letter – Letter mailed to stakeholders introducing proposed Cooling Tower Registry bylaw. September 2009.
Stakeholder Consultation - Letter mailed to stakeholders requesting consultation regarding Cooling Tower Registry By-Law. November 2009.
Contact Information
Public Health Services
Health Protection Division
1 Hughson Street North, 3rd Floor
Hamilton ON L8R 3L5
John Fortuna, Public Health Inspector
Phone: (905) 546-2424 ext. 3038
Fax: (905) 546-2787
Email: John.Fortuna@hamilton.ca
Last Updated: April 02, 2012