scope:

This standard sets the requirements for cooling towers constructed with combustible and noncombustible components. Typical combustible components may include, but are not limited to, structural carrying/support members, fill, drift eliminators, louvers, fan, fan deck, piping, enclosure walls or partition walls.

This standard applies to both factory assembled and field erected cooling towers. The cooling towers that meet the requirements for combustibility, as well as wind, ice, snow, and seismic loads, shall be eligible for Approval.

The fire performance of a cooling tower depends in part on the size, configuration and material formulation(s) of the individual components when assembled into a functional cooling tower. It is therefore necessary to evaluate these products as assembled units. These assembled units are included within the standard tests.

This standard is intended to verify that the systems as described will meet the stated conditions of performance, safety and quality useful to determine the suitability for end-use conditions of these products. The cooling tower manufacturer is responsible for the design of the thermal capacity of the cooling tower and to meet corrosion resistance requirements dictated by the end use of the tower.

The quantity and toxicity of the products of combustion are not analyzed as part of this standard. Additional precautions by the user may need to be taken if the product is utilized near an area susceptible to smoke damage.

Purpose

This standard states Approval requirements for cooling towers and cooling tower components. Cooling towers or cooling tower components that meet the requirements of this standard do not need automatic sprinkler protection.

Approval criteria may include, but are not limited to, fire, wind, ice, snow and seismic performance requirements, marking requirements, examination of manufacturing facility(ies), audit of quality assurance procedures, and a follow-up program.