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NYC cooling towers · 24 RCNY §8-06

Startups, shutdowns and idle towers

A drained cooling tower goes back into operation only through the startup procedures in its maintenance plan: a cleaning and disinfection within the 15 days before, a pre-startup inspection, a Legionella sample 3 to 14 days after, and a report to DOHMH within 5 days. A tower that kept its water but did not circulate for 5 days or more is cleaned and disinfected before it circulates again. Since May 8, 2026, startups and shutdowns are reported electronically.

Check a building freeLast verified Oct 19, 2026

What it asks

What the owner has to do

  1. Clean and disinfect before the startupWithin the 15 days before a tower that was shut down is put back into operation.Admin Code §17-194.1(d); 24 RCNY §8-06(b)
  2. A pre-startup inspectionBy a qualified person, as one of the startup procedures written in the maintenance plan.24 RCNY §8-06(b)(3)
  3. Sample 3 to 14 days afterA Legionella culture within 3 to 14 days of the startup, and the actions Table 8-1 asks when the result comes in.24 RCNY §8-06(b)(2)
  4. Drain at shutdown, report bothA shutdown drains the whole system and protects it from contamination. Each startup and each shutdown is reported to DOHMH electronically within 5 days.24 RCNY §8-06(a), (b)
  5. Idle 3 days: the plan’s proceduresA system that holds water but has not circulated for 3 days or more carries out and documents the risk management procedures in its maintenance plan.24 RCNY §8-05(b)
  6. Idle 5 days or more: clean firstA system that kept its water but did not circulate for 5 days or more is cleaned and disinfected before it circulates again.Admin Code §17-194.1(d); 24 RCNY §8-06(b)

Deadlines

The clocks

  • Cleaning and disinfectionWithin the 15 days before startup24 RCNY §8-06(b)
  • Pre-startup inspectionBefore startup24 RCNY §8-06(b)(3)
  • Startup sample3 to 14 days after startup24 RCNY §8-06(b)(2)
  • Startup report to DOHMHWithin 5 days of the startup24 RCNY §8-06(b)
  • Shutdown report to DOHMHWithin 5 days of the shutdown24 RCNY §8-06(a)
  • Idle proceduresAfter 3 days without circulation24 RCNY §8-05(b)
  • Cleaning after 5 idle daysBefore circulation resumes24 RCNY §8-06(b)

Penalties

What a violation costs

First violation / repeat, per the penalty schedule, with DOHMH’s violation code where it has one. Since May 8, 2026 there is no cure period at inspection.

  • Clean and disinfect within the 15 days before startupAdmin Code §17-194.1(d); 24 RCNY §8-06(b)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8W
  • Pre-startup inspection by a qualified person24 RCNY §8-06(b)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8W
  • Legionella sample 3 to 14 days after startup24 RCNY §8-06(b)(2)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8X
  • Report the startup to DOHMH within 5 days24 RCNY §8-06(b)$500 / $1,000
  • Report the shutdown to DOHMH within 5 days24 RCNY §8-06(a)$500 / $1,000

FAQ

Questions owners ask

Does a drained tower still need monthly samples?

No. The 31-day clock runs while any water is in the system. Once drained, the tower owes the shutdown report within 5 days, and the startup procedures before it runs again.

What counts as a startup?

Putting any part of a shut-down system back into operation; once there is water in any part of it, the system is in operation. It takes the startup procedures and a report to DOHMH within 5 days.

Is a short stop a shutdown?

No. A system that keeps its water is still in operation. After 3 days without circulation it follows the procedures in its plan; after 5, it is cleaned and disinfected before it circulates again.

Your building

See the clock DOHMH sees

Type the address. The free check shows the last sample date DOHMH has, the days left on the 31-day clock, the inspections and any OATH summons on the lot.

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Sources · Last verified Oct 19, 2026

A plain-English summary of the rules, not legal advice. The rule text and DOHMH’s guidance decide; check them before you act.