Recent Blog Posts
Summary In July 2020, the installation of a brass plug in an ammonia refrigeration system resulted in a release of approximately 100-300 lbs of ammonia. Due to the corrosive nature of ammonia on brass, the plug developed a leak due to corrosion. Incident Description A brass plug was installed on an oil pressure regulating valve […]
Question: Is ammonia detection required in rooms that contain ammonia, but are not classified as machinery rooms? Answer: This depends on which codes and standards the refrigeration system is subject to. New ammonia refrigeration systems are required to have ammonia detection in both machinery rooms and non-machinery rooms that contain ammonia equipment. Since IIAR […]
Summary In October 2021, a contractor accidentally cut into a live ammonia pipe, resulting in the release of approximately 419 lbs of ammonia. Due to a general lack of labeling, the live pipe was confused for the decommissioned pipe that was intended to be cut out of the system. Incident Description A contractor was performing […]
It has long been required that access be considered when designing and installing an ammonia refrigeration system. In fact, we wrote about this topic in some detail back in 2013. Since a decade has passed, it seems appropriate to revisit the relevant access requirements contained within the current RAGAGEP documents applicable to ammonia refrigeration. ANSI/IIAR […]
Summary In September 2012, the rupture of an auto-purger bubbler resulted in two injuries, one of which was permanent and disabling. The root causes were determined to be a buildup of scale inside the bubbler, and failure to follow proper maintenance/operating procedures. Incident Description Water & mineral deposits were collected in the drain line of […]