Recent Blog Posts

Relief Valves Discharging Back into a Refrigeration System

April 19th, 2016

ANSI/IIAR 2-2014 §15.6 outlines the requirements for providing Hydrostatic Overpressure Protection. In situations where thermal hydrostatic expansion of trapped liquid ammonia could occur, hydrostatic protection must be provided. Per ANSI/IIAR 2-2014 §15.6.1, Protection against overpressure due to thermal hydrostatic expansion of trapped liquid ammonia shall be provided for equipment and piping sections that can be […]

1982 Uniform Mechanical Code and “Adjoining Ground Level”

July 7th, 2015

Anyone who operates an “older” ammonia refrigeration system in California should be familiar with the requirements of the 1982 Uniform Mechanical Code. Cal/OSHA regulation Title 8 CCR §3248(a) requires the following: “Mechanical refrigeration systems placed in service before March 13, 1999, shall be designed, installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with Chapters 4, 15, and 16 […]

Ammonia Week in Review | March 13, 2015

March 12th, 2015

Ammonia makes a brief appearance in this week’s edition of the Ammonia Week in Review…… OSHA Investigating Possible Ammonia Leak at Reser’s Plant – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating a report of an ammonia leak at the Reser’s Fine Foods plant in Topeka last week. […keep reading] Q&A | Relief Valve Replacement (Dual Assembly) – Question: Do both relief […]

Q&A | Relief Valve Replacement (Dual Assembly)

March 10th, 2015

Question: Do both relief valves on a dual assembly have to be replaced every five (5) years, or just the relief valve that has been subject to system pressure? Answer: Most pressure vessels in an ammonia refrigeration system exceed 10 cubic feet in volume (normal exceptions are oil pots and small oil separators), and therefore are […]

Q&A | Co-Location

February 24th, 2015

Question: If two independent ammonia refrigeration systems share a water diffusion tank should they be considered one (1) or two (2) processes under RMP and PSM? Answer: This is a great question that addresses the issue of “co-location“. In order to correctly answer this question, we must first consider the definition of a Process. Title 40 §68.3 Process means […]