§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Government buildings are fitted with the wet-air cooling air conditioning systems; what action is being carried out to have them replaced by a different type of air conditioning system; what review he is instituting on the installation of this type of air conditioning in new buildings; what consideration is being given to requiring a different type of air conditioning system to be fitted in buildings where these are already installed; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. ChopeWith regard to those buildings designed and/or maintained by PSA, it has been, and continues to be, the general policy that air conditioning should be installed only where there is no practical alternative. For new construction, the policy is to install dry cooling systems-where practicable—in those buildings where air conditioning is necessary.
For existing buildings with evaporative heat rejection equipment (wet air cooling) a strict water hygiene treatment regime is applied, involving regular inspections and a complete review of the water treatment regime at least once a year, backed up by independent audits to monitor the effectiveness of the regimes and establish where improvements can be made.
In those leased Government buildings where the landlord is responsible for maintenance, PSA estate surveyors ask landlords to give written assurances that they have or will introduce similar practices.
PSA does not hold a central record of the number of Government buildings with wet air cooling systems. The highest concentration of such systems is in London, where there are currently 151.
Wet air cooling systems will normally be maintained in accordance with the strict regime explained above to the end of their economically useful life. The opportunity will then be taken to consider alternative arrangements utilising dry cooling principles wherever practicable.