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NYC cooling towers · OATH summonses

NYC cooling tower summons codes, explained

A DOHMH cooling tower summons names the violation with a four-character code, such as AH8S or AHK2, and sets a hearing at OATH, the City’s administrative court. Every summons and its outcome is public on NYC Open Data. OATH’s records show 5,020 cooling tower summonses from DOHMH with violation dates from January 1, 2023 to October 13, 2026; most are for work not done or not documented, not for a test result.

Check a building freeLast verified Oct 19, 2026

The codes

The codes on DOHMH’s summonses

DOHMH cooling tower summonses on OATH’s records by their first charge, violation dates January 1, 2023 to October 13, 2026: the 17 codes with 20 or more, 4,958 of 5,020. AHK2 and AHK0 first appear on May 19, 2026. Meanings follow OATH’s descriptions. Source: NYC Open Data, OATH hearings (jz4z-kudi), counted October 19, 2026.
CodeWhat it is forSummonses
AH8SA Legionella sample not collected or analyzed, or its results not received or reported to DOHMH748
AH8RThe weekly bacteriological indicator (HPC or dip slide) not collected, analyzed or recorded587
AH8CWeekly routine monitoring not done or not documented while the tower is in use585
AH8DThe 90-day compliance inspection not done or not documented while the tower is in use426
AH8LNo record of every chemical and biocide added426
AH8QWater quality readings not taken or not recorded385
AH8FThe twice-yearly or other required cleaning not done or not documented379
AHK2A Legionella sample date not reported to DOHMH304
AHK0A Legionella sample date not reported within 5 days297
AH8XThe Legionella sample a startup requires not collected or analyzed (now 3 to 14 days after it)218
AH8WImproper or incomplete startup procedures132
AH8UThe corrective action a bacteriological result calls for not taken128
AH8ANo maintenance program and plan106
AH8TMonitoring and samples not from representative points and times96
AH8HNo automatic daily water treatment, or an alternative DOHMH accepts77
AH8BThe maintenance program and plan incomplete or not on the premises42
AH8KA biocide product used that is not registered22

What it asks

What the owner has to do

  1. Read the code and the hearing dateThe summons names the charge by its code, the building and the date of the hearing at OATH. It goes to the owner, even when a vendor does the work.OATH Hearings Division
  2. Gather the records for that dateThe log, report or receipt the charge is about, as it stood on the violation date. Since May 8, 2026 a record not shown during the inspection is presumed not to exist.24 RCNY §8-07(a); Admin Code §17-194.1(h)
  3. Answer by the hearing dateOATH hears summons cases by phone, in person, or on a written submission sent online or by mail. A respondent who does not answer is found in violation by default, and DOHMH’s penalties are doubled on a default.48 RCNY §6-20; 24 RCNY §8-09
  4. Missed it? Ask for a new hearingA first request made within 75 days of the date the default decision was mailed or handed over is granted. Up to a year, a request needs a reasonable excuse. A second default on the same summons cannot be reopened that way.48 RCNY §6-21
  5. Close the gap the summons foundA summons does not stop the clocks: the next sample, reading or inspection is still due on time, and a repeat violation costs twice the first.24 RCNY §8-09

Deadlines

The clocks

  • AH8S · Legionella sampleNo more than 31 days after the last24 RCNY §8-05(f)(3)
  • AHK2, AHK0 · Sample date to DOHMHWithin 5 days of the sampleAdmin Code §17-194.1(f)
  • AH8C · Routine monitoring checklistEvery week the tower is in use24 RCNY §8-04(a)
  • AH8R · Bacteriological indicatorEvery week24 RCNY §8-05(f)(2)
  • AH8Q · Water readingsAt least three times a week, no more than two days apart24 RCNY §8-05(f)(1)
  • AH8D · Compliance inspectionEvery 90 days while the tower runs24 RCNY §8-04(b)
  • AH8F · Cleaning and disinfectionAt least twice a year24 RCNY §8-04(d)
  • A new hearing after a defaultWithin 75 days of the default decision’s mailing48 RCNY §6-21

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.

  • Legionella culture sample, no more than 31 days apartAdmin Code §17-194.1(e); 24 RCNY §8-05(f)(3)$2,000 / $4,000 · AH8S
  • Report the sample date to DOHMH within 5 daysAdmin Code §17-194.1(f)$1,000 / $2,000 · AHK2Filed late: $500 / $1,000 · AHK0
  • Weekly bacteriological indicator (HPC or dip slide)24 RCNY §8-05(f)(2)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8R
  • Weekly routine monitoring checklist24 RCNY §8-04(a)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8C
  • Compliance inspection by a qualified person, every 90 daysAdmin Code §17-194.1(e); 24 RCNY §8-04(b)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8D
  • Water readings: pH, temperature, conductivity, biocide24 RCNY §8-05(f)(1)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8Q
  • Cleaning and disinfection, at least twice a year24 RCNY §8-04(d)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8F
  • Legionella sample 3 to 14 days after startup24 RCNY §8-06(b)(2)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8X
  • Clean and disinfect within the 15 days before startupAdmin Code §17-194.1(d); 24 RCNY §8-06(b)$1,000 / $2,000 · AH8W
  • Disinfect within 24 hours of a positive Legionella result24 RCNY §8-05(f)(5), Table 8-1$2,000 / $4,000 · AH8U

FAQ

Questions owners ask

What is the difference between AHK2 and AHK0?

Both are about the Legionella sample date, which goes to DOHMH through the City’s portal within 5 days of the sample. AHK2 is for a date not reported, AHK0 for one reported after the 5 days; the penalty for a late date is half the penalty for a missing one.

What happens if no one answers the summons?

OATH finds the respondent in violation by default, and DOHMH’s penalties are doubled. A first request for a new hearing made within 75 days of the default decision’s mailing is granted; after that, and up to a year, it needs a reasonable excuse.

How do I see a building’s summonses?

OATH’s case records are public on NYC Open Data, by the building’s tax lot. The free building check on this site lists the cooling tower summonses on the lot, with their hearing dates, results and balances.

Does a summons mean the tower is unsafe?

Not by itself. Most are for a sample, a log, an inspection or a report not done or not documented. AH8U, a positive result not acted on, is fewer than 3 in 100 of them.

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.