UWA FM Planning and Design Section
APPENDIX TO SECTION D.
D5
COOLING TOWERS AND EVAPORATIVE COOLERS
CONTENTS
1.0
2.0
PLUMBING APPROVALS
LOCATION
3.0
LICENSED SUPERVISION
4.0
5.0
DUMP VALVES
BACKFLOW
6.0
WASTE OUTLET
7.0
OVERFLOWS
8.0
ROOF PENETRATIONS
9.0
ROOF PROTECTION
10.0
10.1
10.2
WATER CONNECTION
Domestic installations
Industrial installations
11.0
COOLING TOWERS
Project Management & Design Guidelines Manual
Edition September 2003
Section D: Mechanical Services Guidelines - Appendix D5 - Cooling Towers & Evaporative Coolers
APPENDIX TO SECTION D
D5
COOLING TOWERS AND EVAPORATIVE COOLERS
1.0
PLUMBING APPROVALS
All plumbing to cooling towers and evaporative coolers is to be installed
to AS3500 P1, 1992. Applications and permits must be submitted to
W.A.W.A. and the relevant authorities before the commencement of
work.
2.0
LOCATION
Installation and positioning of evaporative coolers is to be approved by
the Senior Technical Officer Mechanical or the campus licensed plumber
before commencement of work. Instructions are only to be accepted
from the Senior Technical Officer Mechanical or his nominated
representative. Any deviation from the requirements of this specification
are to be approved by the Senior Technical Officer Mechanical or his
nominated representative. Failure to do so will result in the contractor
being asked to remove or replace the non conforming items.
3.0
LICENSED SUPERVISION
Electrical work is to be undertaken by a registered licensed electrical
contractor. All electrical work shall be to AS3000 and any other relevant
codes.
Similarly, plumbing work is to be undertaken under the direction of a
licensed plumber. All plumbing work shall be installed to AS 3500 Part 14 1992 and any other relevant codes.
4.0
DUMP VALVES
Dump valves are to be fitted to all evaporative coolers installed on
University buildings. All valves used on evaporative cooler installations
are to be W.A.W.A. approved. No other type will be accepted.
5.0
EVAPORATIVE COOLERS
Evaporative coolers are to meet backflow requirements as per AS 3500
Part 1- Section 4. All dump and overflow lines shall be SWV PVC pipe
as per AS 1415. All copper lines shall be Class B as per AS 1432.
6.0
WASTE OUTLET
Where evaporative coolers are installed at ground level, the waste lines
from the basin must be run to a storm water drain. There must be a gap
between the drain and the end of the waste pipe of at least 100mm.
If there are no storm water drains available, the waste line can be run
along the side of the building with a 90 degree elbow on the end. A
concrete channel at the bottom of the waste line will take the water away
from the base of the wall.
Where evaporative coolers are installed on a tile roof, the waste line may
be run down the wall of the building, terminating in a 45 degree bend. A
Project Management & Design Guidelines Manual
Edition September 2003
Section D: Mechanical Services Guidelines - Appendix D5 - Cooling Towers & Evaporative Coolers
concrete channel at the bottom of the waste line will take the water from
the base of the wall.
Where evaporative coolers are located on a metal deck roof, waste water
is not to run onto the roof. The 40mm dump valve line must terminate
with a 90 degree bend directly above the downpipe, leaving a minimum
of 100mm clearance above the entry to the downpipe. However, where
buildings have copper or stainless steel gutters and downpipes, dump
water can be run directly into the gutter.
7.0
OVERFLOWS
The 50mm overflow from evaporative coolers must terminate in a visible
place, ie. over the edge of a parapet. If the contractor is unsure where to
run the overflow, the Senior Technical Officer Mechanical or his
nominated representative will indicate a suitable position.
8.0
ROOF PENETRATIONS
Electrical and plumbing penetrations through the metal deck roof must be
sealed using Decktite boots (roofing collars), selected for a weathertight
fit.
All copper water pipes and SWV PVC drains are to be secured to the ribs
on the decking roof using ABBEY pipe clips only. Clip spacing shall be
as per AS 3500 Part 1 – Table 5.2.
9.0
ROOF PROTECTION
Before commissioning the evaporative cooler, an area of one meter
square around the evaporative cooler and the same width down to the
gutters is to be painted. All pans and ribs running down to the gutter are
to be painted using:
• One coat Halogen primer by Top Deck Paints or approved
equivalent.
• Two coats 100% acrylic water based paint, gloss or low sheen, by
Top Deck paints or approved equivalent.
10.0
WATER CONNECTION
Water connections and waste outlets for evaporative air-conditioning
equipment must be supervised by a licensed plumber and must meet
with the following requirements.
10.1
Domestic Installations
Potable water connections as per AS 3500-1-1992 Section 4.6.3.1. For
domestic installations:
The isolating valve shall be located in an accessible position not greater
than 1.8 metres above ground level.
Provision for metering is not
required.
Project Management & Design Guidelines Manual
Edition September 2003
Section D: Mechanical Services Guidelines - Appendix D5 - Cooling Towers & Evaporative Coolers
10.2
Industrial installations
The isolating valve shall be located in an accessible position not greater
than 1.8 metres above ground level and shall be positioned to
accommodate the possible future installation of a metering device.
11.0
COOLING TOWERS
Particular care must be taken when locating cooling towers. They must
be well away from any fresh air inlet to an air-conditioning system. Under
no circumstances should this equipment be located so that overspray
can enter the interior of a building or drift over passers-by (see AS 3666).
Water connection to be installed to AS 3500 Table 4.2 and 4.6.3.1.
PLUMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
LICENSED PLUMBERS HAVE A CLEAR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE
THAT THEIR WORK ACTUALLY DOES COMPLY WITH THE BY-LAWS AND
AS.3500 PARTS 104 1992. ALL PLUMBERS SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF
THE RISKS ATTACHED TO NON-CONFORMING PLUMBING SYSTEMS.
Project Management & Design Guidelines Manual
Edition September 2003
Section D: Mechanical Services Guidelines - Appendix D5 - Cooling Towers & Evaporative Coolers