Fill the cooling tower's cold-water basin and circulating water system with cold water. The water should reach a point roughly 13 mm below its overfill line. Completely open the flow control valves at the top of the tower.
Prime and activate the circulating water pumps connected to the tower one at a time. Gradually increase the flow on each pump until you reach your desired flow rate.
Adjust the flow control valves on the water tower to set the amount of hot water that will run into the basins. Turn the fan (sitting on top of the tower) on by hitting the switch just under it. The cooling tower will now deploy water at the fps you desire.