Peter Thomas Partners with IIAR to Provide Guidelines for Low Charge Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) recently published Low Charge Ammonia Refrigeration Management (ARM-LC) Guidelines, to provide guidance to owners, contractors, and manufacturers of ammonia refrigeration systems with a total inventory of less than 500 lbs of ammonia. Peter Thomas, P.E. played an instrumental role in developing these guidelines that will serve our industry for years to come. Here are two excerpts from the foreword of the document:

“As we enter the middle of the 21st Century, the attractiveness of ammonia as a refrigerant has never been greater. Continuous political pressure is being placed on the synthetic refrigeration industry as a result of the environmental concerns associated with ozone depletion and global warming. Consequently, the commercial and light industrial refrigeration industries which have traditionally used synthetic refrigerants, are now looking for other options. Many are attracted to ammonia because of its efficiency, environmental properties, and relative low cost.”

“IIAR has developed this publication to provide guidance to manufacturers, contractors, and commercial and light industrial end users who desire to safely implement low charge ammonia refrigeration systems. The best practices contained in this publication are intended to offer guidance, not regulatory requirements.”

Over the past two years, Peter Thomas has been pleased to guide the discussion regarding best practices for low charge ammonia refrigeration systems. Through the development process of ARM-LC, the combined goal of all involved was to keep people safe, equipment running effectively, all without putting a heavy burden on the end-user.

While these low charge systems are below the RMP, PSM, and CalARP thresholds for ammonia quantity, until now the refrigeration industry has been unsure how to satisfy the EPA and OSHA General Duty Clauses (GDC). Facilities utilizing low charge systems now have a resource to meet GDC requirements by following the practices outlined in Low Charge Ammonia Refrigeration Management (ARM-LC) Guidelines.