Retractable cover unit for hot water basin of crossflow cooling tower

A cover unit for use on a distribution basin of a water cooling tower, wherein the distribution basin includes a floor and opposed inboard and outboard side walls, the cover unit comprising:

• a frame secured to the basin and including inboard and outboard framing members overlying the inboard and outboard side walls of the basin, and a joist mounted to the inboard and outboard framing members;
• a pair of connectors secured between the inboard and outboard framing members and spaced laterally from one another, the connectors being mounted beneath and to either side of the joist;
• a flaccid, fluid permeable cover having inboard and outboard end edges, and laterally spaced side edges, the cover being draped up over the joist so that the joist supports the cover between the connectors;
• a means for presenting a plurality of grommets along the lateral sides of the cover through which the connectors are threaded;
• a means for attaching the end edges of the cover to the inboard and outboard framing members for holding the cover over the basin;
• and
• a means for detaching at least one of the end edges of the cover to permit the cover to be moved along the connectors allowing access to the basin.