Recent Blog Posts

It’s Finally Here! (IIAR 6, Part 1)

August 20th, 2019

We’ve often heard the axiom that “patience is a virtue”. For the ammonia refrigeration industry, our patience has finally been rewarded with the publication of ANSI/IIAR 6 Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. By some estimations, IIAR 6 has been in development for over 13 years[1]. Countless IIAR Standards Committee […]

Do All Permit Required Confined Spaces Require a Permit?

July 23rd, 2019

On the surface, this appears to be a silly question. Regulations, however, often have nuances and it so happens that according to Title 8 CCR §5157, the answer is ‘No’. Let me explain. In California, Title 8 CCR §5156-5159 regulate all confined space activities. According to the legal definition a “Confined space means a space […]

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 […]