23 65 00 COOLING TOWERS

.01 Cooling Towers (General)

1. In general, specify units of galvanized steel construction with PVC fill.  Cooling towers may be similar to the Baltimore Air Coil "V" line. 
2. Indoor sumps should be considered where winter operation is required.  When towers are required to operate in the winter, sump heaters and heat tracing of piping shall be specified.
3. The Professional shall consult the University during the design phase and seek approval of the location of all cooling towers.
4. Select towers at 77°F W.B.
5. Provide fan shaft pull space at ends of tower.
6. See 23 25 00.03 for Cooling Tower water treatment.
7. Maximum acceptable sound levels shall be included in the specification.  Sound levels shall be appropriate for the location and take into account any local noise ordinances.
8. Condenser water temperature control shall be provided by a bypass valve unless an alternate control scheme is reviewed and approved by the University in advance.
1. Review application and best practices of piping arrangement, valve selection and control sequence of tower bypass control valve.  OPP has experienced several misapplications related to this.  Bypass should only be used for maintaining minimum temperature on system startup during cold weather.  We have seen these misapplied for primary control condenser water temperature.  Use tower fan speed control to maintain constant approach condenser water control scheme for near optimal energy savings and chiller efficiency.
9. Cooling tower fan speed control shall be specified unless the use of constant speed fan control is reviewed and approved by the University in advance.
10. Belt guards:  Where required, guards shall be constructed of expanded metal mesh to allow for quick visual inspection of belts and pulleys without removal.  Guards shall be attached to equipment with hinges and/or quick release fasteners that can be turned without tools to allow for ease of maintenance