Recent Blog Posts

Ammonia Release | Contractor Error and Coil Failure

July 9th, 2024

Summary In August 2022, hydrostatic expansion occurred inside an improperly isolated evaporator coil, resulting in a release of approximately 230 lbs of ammonia. The leak occurred when one of the return tubes of the evaporator coil broke due to the overpressurization.  Incident Description The evaporator coil (Coil 3) was recently replaced and the other two […]

Ammonia Release | Compressor Suction Gasket

June 11th, 2024

Summary In June 2020, the failure of a bolt on the strainer cap for a compressor led to the release of 5,461 lbs of ammonia. One of the four bolts for the strainer cap had been broken for years. A second bolt broke during the incident as the compressor suction gasket failed. Incident Description When […]

Ammonia Release | Brine Chiller

April 30th, 2024

Summary In October 2017, an ammonia release inside a machinery room resulted in the deaths of three people – two city workers and one refrigeration technician. A pinhole leak developed in a shell and tube brine chiller, which allowed ammonia to leak into the brine solution. The leak was discovered, but due to a lack […]

Ammonia Release | Brass Plug

March 19th, 2024

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 a CUNO oil filter several […]

Ammonia Release | Band Saw to a Live Line

February 20th, 2024

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 […]