{"id":"cooling-tower","version":"0.2.0","classification":{"uniformat":"D3030"},"names":["Cooling tower"],"aliases":["CT","open cooling tower"],"service_life":{"median_years":25,"range_years":[25,25],"range_basis":"source_spread"},"pm_tasks":[{"task":"Shut down or re-sequence cooling towers that are not needed","frequency":"P1D","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Do an overall visual inspection: all equipment operating and safety systems in place","frequency":"P1D","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Inspect for clogging; make sure water is flowing in the tower","frequency":"P1D","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check fan motor condition by temperature or vibration against baseline","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Clean suction screen of debris","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Test water for dissolved solids and chemistry; adjust blowdown and chemicals","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Operate make-up water float switch manually to confirm it works","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check motors, fans and pumps for excessive vibration","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check tower structure for loose fill, connections and leaks","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check and adjust belts and pulleys","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Lubricate bearings per manufacturer","frequency":"P1M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check motor supports and fan blades for wear and secure fastening","frequency":"P1M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check motor coupling alignment","frequency":"P1M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check drift eliminators, louvers and fill for position and scale","frequency":"P1M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Clean tower: remove dirt, scale and algae from basin, fill and spray nozzles","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Inspect bearings and drive belts for wear; adjust, repair or replace","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"},{"task":"Check motor condition by temperature or vibration analysis","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":192,"checklist":"9.5.9 Cooling Towers Checklist"}],"basis":[{"type":"public_document","life_type":"planning","title":"CNA e-Tool Estimated Useful Life Table","by":"U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development","url":"https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/eul_for_cna_e_tool.pdf","page":11,"code":"HUD CNA 3.4.2.1.16","label":"Cooling tower","years":25,"note":"Same life for family and elderly properties. US multifamily housing."}],"confidence":{"grade":"C","sample_size":null},"open_questions":["Only one source so far: HUD planning lives for US multifamily housing. Canadian and observed sources are needed."],"contributors":["unfinished.one editors"],"last_reviewed":"2026-10-21","canonical_url":"https://unfinished.one/c/cooling-tower","versioned_url":"https://unfinished.one/c/cooling-tower/v/0.2.0","licence":"CC-BY-4.0","citation":"unfinished.one (2026). Cooling tower, v0.2.0. https://unfinished.one/c/cooling-tower/v/0.2.0"}