The plume discharges from cooling towers must be at least how many feet above any ventilation inlet to a building?

In cooling tower design and operation, it’s critical to ensure that the plume from the cooling tower does not impede or negatively affect the indoor air quality of adjacent buildings. Discharging the plume at least 5 feet above any ventilation inlet helps prevent the re-entry of potentially humid or contaminated air back into the building's ventilation system. This distance creates an effective dispersion of the cooling tower's exhaust and ensures that the natural airflow dynamics are maintained around the building's ventilation. Maintaining this height also aligns with various HVAC design standards and building codes aimed at promoting health and safety in the indoor environment.