Recent Blog Posts

CalOSHA and Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus

July 9th, 2019

Over the past year, CalOSHA has been educating the ammonia refrigeration industry regarding their expectation for complying with the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) requirement for “procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties” (Title 8 CCR §3220(b)(4)). CalOSHA has made it clear that they expect ammonia refrigeration facilities to have rescue capabilities, […]

Ammonia Week in Review | June 14, 2019

June 14th, 2019

An ammonia tank explodes killing 1 and injuring 14 others in Spain. Read more from this week’s edition of the Ammonia Week in Review… One Dead, 14 Injured in Spanish Ammonia Tank Explosion – One worker was killed on May 31 when a 20,000 litre ammonia tank exploded at a factory near the city of Tarragona in north eastern […]

Relief Valve Orientation

May 28th, 2019

One often overlooked aspect of relief valve installation is valve orientation. Many refrigeration professionals are not familiar with the 2017 ASME B&PV Code Section VIII Appendix M-11 recommendation that “Spring-loaded safety and safety relief valves normally should be installed in the upright position with the spindle vertical. Where space or piping configuration preclude such an […]

When Does a Relief Valve’s Clock Start?

April 2nd, 2019

While it is well known that good engineering practice requires that relief valves be replaced every five years, industry literature does not clearly state when the five-year timer starts its countdown. Is it when the valve is manufactured? Taken out of the box? Installed? Exposed to ammonia? Due to the lack of clarification on this […]

IIAR Standards Presentation by Peter Thomas at Bakersfield Safety Day

February 18th, 2019

Last week, at the Bakersfield Central Valley Chemical Safety Day, Peter Thomas, P.E. and President of Resource Compliance gave a presentation on IIAR’s suite of standards. Click here to view the slides from his presentation.