Cold Systems LLC Vertical ammonia reciprocating compressor driven by a steam engine circa 1890. Atmospheric Condenser Ice sheet production facility circa 1900.

Safety & Environmental Programs

These programs are often viewed as a one-time means of compliance for procedural requirements. In effect, the programs are intended to provide a scope of direction for daily management of refrigeration systems using a listed hazardous compound over the threshold quantity.

The development of these programs must include the involvement of the facility personnel. This is notably shown as the first key element in the PSM program requirements below. As such, we do not provide complete PSM or RMP programs. However, we do strive to assist the personnel in the development of specific areas of these programs.

These programs can be viewed as a method of developing the management requirements for your refrigeration system on a daily basis. This also provides a methodology for documenting the management systems that are best determined by the needs of the facility.

This management system then becomes similar to a quality control program. This provides a safe working environment for all affected employees and does not impact the environment or external persons by a release of the refrigerant.

OSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Process Safety Management

OSHA Process Safety Management

Intended to minimize the chances of catastrophic releases/incidents
and protection of facility employees and other contractors on-site.
Threshold quantity for ammonia is 10,000 lb.

 

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Risk Management Plan

Intended to minimize the chances of catastrophic releases/incidents
and resulting impact to off-site personnel and environment.

Note: Some state governments may have separate Environmental and Safety requirements that supersede the federally mandated programs.

Additional Concerns

Ammonia refrigeration systems containing less than the threshold quantity are still required to comply with specific mandated requirements. These are intended to address any refrigeration system containing a listed compound.

Operation of an ammonia refrigeration system with a system charge less than 10,000 pounds does not imply safety and environmental controls are not required. The facility owners also need to recognize the following as additional requirements pertaining to the use of ammonia as a refrigerant.

EPCRA - (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, 1986)

  1. Facilities required to publicly disclose information on chemicals used, or potentially released, by on-site processes.
  2. For ammonia refrigeration systems, the threshold planning quantity is 500 pounds.
  3. Any release of ammonia greater than 100 pounds must be reported immediately.

Intended to inform community of hazardous chemicals used within facility.

General Duty Clause of Clean Air Act

  1. The General Duty Clause states: “The owners and operators of stationary sources producing, processing, handling or storing [a chemical in 40 CFR Part 68 or any other extremely hazardous substance] have a general duty [in the same manner and to the same extent as the general duty clause in the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)], to identify hazards which may result from... releases using appropriate hazard assessment techniques, to design and maintain a safe facility taking such steps as are necessary to prevent releases, and to minimize the consequences of accidental releases which do occur.”
  2. Knowing the hazards posed by chemicals and evaluation of the impacts of possible releases.
  3. Following codes, standards and other business practices to ensure the facility is properly constructed and maintained – and the chemical is managed safely.
  4. Have a contingency plan involving community responders, if necessary to aid in adequate control of the incident.

Intended to cover any stationary process that uses a hazardous chemical in any quantity.

 

Supplemental Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Information
& Refrigerant Material Safety Data Sheets

Anhydrous Ammonia Safety (PDF, 282KB)*

This booklet describes the characteristics of anhydrous ammonia both as a liquid and vapor and the relevant issues associated with personnel safety.  In addition, this source also provides some of the rudimentary elements of personal protection requirements and safe handling of anhydrous ammonia in industrial applications.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Anhydrous Ammonia/R-717/NH3 (PDF, 29KB)*

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Carbon Dioxide/R-744/CO2 (PDF, 32KB)*

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Propane/R-290 (PDF, 33KB)*

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Propylene/R-1270 (PDF, 34KB)*

*These files are generously provided by Airgas, Inc. and listed here as sources of supplemental information only. We gratefully acknowledge Airgas for permission to use these files.