Recent Blog Posts

Testing Compressor Safety Devices (IIAR 6, Part 11)

January 21st, 2020

Is it acceptable to test a high discharge pressure cutout (HPCO) by lowering the setpoint? Maybe. ANSI/IIAR 6-2019 §6.1.1 prescribes the allowable methods for testing a compressor HPCO which is required annually per Table 6.1. Depending on the type of pressure limiting device being used, allowable methods differ. Electromechanical Switch Electromechanical switches are widely used […]

The Tables! (IIAR 6, Part 10)

January 14th, 2020

Chapters 6-15 of ANSI/IIAR 6-2019 primarily consist of tables which summarize the minimum frequencies for the required ITM tasks. Each chapter addresses a different category of equipment: 6 – Compressors 7 – Refrigerant Pumps 8 – Condensers 9 – Evaporators 10 – Pressure Vessels 11 – Piping 12 – Safety Systems 13 – Overpressure Protection […]

Qualified Inspectors (IIAR 6, Part 9)

December 10th, 2019

Who is allowed to perform inspections on an ammonia refrigeration system? ANSI/IIAR 6-2019 §5.4.2 succinctly states that “Equipment inspections shall be performed by a qualified inspector(s)“. According to the definition in Chapter 2, a Qualified Inspector is “A person who is experienced with closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration systems, has knowledge of the process, and has demonstrated […]

Record Keeping (IIAR 6, Part 8)

November 26th, 2019

ANSI/IIAR 6-2019 §5.3 summarizes minimum requirements for ITM Program record keeping. Most of the items listed parallel an existing Process Safety Information (PSI) requirement in the PSM regulations (Title 8 CCR §5189(d) and Title 29 CFR §1910.119(d)). The table below compares the requirements of IIAR 6 to PSM: Operational log (used to transfer information between […]

Task Frequency (IIAR 6, Part 7)

November 12th, 2019

Say you have a task to perform a compressor inspection annually. On year one you complete the task on July 1 which results in the same task being due on July 1 of the next year. When next year rolls around, other obligations have filled the calendar during this period. In order to prevent the […]