Q&A | Emergency Control Boxes
Question: Should an Emergency Control Box (e.g. Fireman Dump Box) be installed when constructing a new ammonia refrigeration system in California?
Answer: Up until 2007, California used the Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1) as the model fire code for the state. Since codes are typically revised every three (3) years, the last year that NFPA 1 was a model code in California was 2004 (based off of 2003 NFPA 1). 2003 NFPA 1 required Emergency Control Boxes on most mechanical refrigeration systems.
In 2007, California switched model codes from NFPA 1 to the International Fire Code (IFC). The 2007 California Fire Code (CFC) was based on the requirements of the 2006 IFC. In the 2007 CFC, the Emergency Control Box was no longer required, but was replaced with an Emergency Pressure Control System (EPCS) which I have written about in great detail here. The requirements for the EPCS in 2007 can be found in 2007 CFC §606.10.
In short, the Emergency Control Box has not been a California code requirement since 2006. It is important to note that no major codes or standards have required installation of an Emergency Control Box since 2006 or earlier, as the ammonia refrigeration industry has come to a consensus that installing an Emergency Control Box creates more risk than reward.
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