Commissioning an Ammonia Refrigeration System
The progressive steps for installing an ammonia refrigeration system are:
- Design
- Installation
- Start-Up
- Commissioning
ANSI/IIAR 5-2013 §7.15 summarizes the minimum requirements for completing the commissioning of an ammonia refrigeration system. The text of §7.15 is succinct and can be seen below:
To help avoid miscommunication and requirements “falling through the cracks” it is important that both the owner and installer agree that all the requirements of §7.15 have been completed. One way to demonstrate this agreement is for both parties to sign a simple Certification of Commissioning. This simple step will help to clarify that the project has been successfully completed by the installing contractor and handed over to the owner for day-to-day operation. A sample Certification of Commissioning is included below.
Certification of Commissioning
Refrigeration System Description: Ammonia Refrigeration Project
Location: Company XYZ
Start-Up Technician: ________________________
This letter certifies that the Ammonia Refrigeration Project at Company XYZ has been commissioned. Both the owner and installing contractor agree that the system was installed in accordance with necessary codes and standards. The Ammonia Refrigeration Project has been handed over to Company XYZ for day-to-day operation of the system.
Company XYZ Approval
____________________________ ____________________________________________
Print Name Signature Date
Contractor Approval
____________________________ ____________________________________________
Print Name Signature Date
I love how both the owner and installer have to agree that all the requirements have been met. I wish more installation services would do this. It would help avoid issues where the owner claims that the installer did something wrong.