Although there may be a temptation to simply treat A2L refrigerants as equivalent to ammonia with respect to flammability hazard, ammonia really is an entity unto itself. Like an A2L, it exhibits a low-flame velocity in flammability tests, but ammonia has the unique safety advantage of a strong and unmistakable odor that is typically present long before the onset of a flammability hazard. All of the current A2L refrigerants, on the other hand, are odorless.
Many supermarkets converted their chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigeration systems to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) systems only to see HFCs targeted for a phaseout. Now, they’re hearing about natural refrigerants, distributed refrigeration, and cascade systems.
There is always plenty of activity taking place on the HVACR side of the supermarket and restaurant industries. Here’s a quick look at eight items of note.
When you hear that your facility will be the target of an OSHA inspection, step back and examine the strengths and weaknesses of your safety program, and think about how you can focus the attention on the strengths. Although OSHA will come in looking for anything you’re doing wrong, you want to make sure they’re aware of all the things you’re doing right.
At a recent International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) meeting, Mark S. Dreux, a partner and head of the OSHA group at the Washington, District of Columbia, law firm Arent Fox LLP, gave a presentation on how facility personnel can manage the biggest challenges associated with an OSHA inspection.
The divisiveness of the presidential campaign on top of what was already a difficult political climate in Washington means pushing through any kind of legislation this year will be highly unlikely, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the trends aren’t moving in the right direction for ammonia and other natural refrigerants.
Natural refrigerants event expected to be biggest ever
May 16, 2016
ATMOsphere America, a conference focusing on how natural refrigerants are being used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating systems, returns for its fifth edition, June 16 and 17, at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
In addition to making facility improvements, company will also pay $55,000 in penalties
April 14, 2016
In a settlement announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Oregon Ice Cream Co. has agreed to make safety improvements and upgrade its refrigeration equipment to prevent ammonia refrigerant releases at its manufacturing facility in Eugene, Oregon.
A total of 148 exhibitors showed off their latest advances in all types of industrial refrigeration at the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) 2016 Industrial Refrigeration Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida. Here are a few of the highlights.