Key Elements to Check During Cooling Tower Inspections

13 April 2023

Commercial and industrial buildings can only work optimally if their indoor temperatures are regulated effectively. After all, employees can focus on their tasks once they are placed in workstations that are not too hot or too cold. Even the equipment pieces and machines can operate fluidly if their surrounding temperatures are optimised.

One way to effectively regulate the indoor temperatures of these buildings is to maximise cooling towers. Cooling towers intend to remove heat from buildings or facilities through the evaporation of water. They often maximise large surface areas so that the said process can occur. As the water sprays down through these towers, the heat exchange between them and the areas inside these buildings occurs.

Cooling towers can help building owners save energy, money, and other resources. They can also ensure successful business operations all the time. Now, to ensure that they continue providing these benefits, the following elements should be checked during inspections.

Tower Casing

The casing of the cooling towers should be checked for cracks, leaks, holes, and other damages that may be caused by natural wear. And if there are signs of corrosion or scale buildup, property owners like you should have them serviced right away. Additionally, you must check if the hardware attachments to the casing are secured, tight, and in good condition. You must also inspect whether your access doors are in good working condition or not. Usually, they should shut tightly whenever your cooling towers are operating.

Structure

Inspecting the structure of your cooling towers is essential to see if it already has any loss of metal. You must also check the tightness of your bolted joints and whether they have corroded or not. Any signs of cracks, fractures, or decay in wood parts must then be visually identified as thoroughly as possible. You also have the option to tap the said parts. Once a dull, low-pitch sound is produced when tapping the wood parts, it means they are already soft. Proper servicing of the structure is vital once quality issues are found.

Fan Deck

When checking the fan deck of your cooling towers, you may want to see if some of its parts have corroded or decayed. You must then make sure that the support members for the fan deck are still in good condition. Their connection must also be tight and solid. Now, if air leaks are present between adjoining fan deck panels, you must have them fixed right away since they can be a tripping hazard. The overlays must likewise be attached properly.

Stairway, Ladder, and Handrail

All these three elements of your cooling towers should be inspected thoroughly so your staff can access them optimally. Any presence of decay or corrosion on these parts should be identified and resolved as soon as possible. Proper servicing is also necessary if you or others found some loose treads, handrails, or deteriorated stringers on these components. All bolted connections must be tight so that any tripping or falling hazards will be prevented.

Cold Water Basin

The presence of excess sludge and accumulated debris on your cold water basin only means that it already requires immediate cleaning and upkeep. Failure to remove them as soon as possible will only allow bacteria to grow and spread.

Other elements to check on your cooling towers are distribution basins, piping, valve components, spray nozzles, drift eliminators, louvres, couplings, and fans.

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