IIAR

IIAR held its first IIAR-6 certificate course at the 2024 RETA National Conference in October. The course features seven modules and covers everything from the purpose of the standard to safety systems.

“The course permitted a focused time to cover the entire course with great input that brought the registrant’s knowledge and skill to a higher level for inspecting, testing, and maintenance of closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration systems,” said Tony Lundell, IIAR’s senior director of standards and safety.

Lundell led the course and was also involved with developing the standard. He said holding the course during the conference allowed registrants to focus on IIAR 6 without the risk of interruptions they would likely face if trying to complete it during working hours at their employer locations. Plus, they could ask each other questions as registrants or of Lundell as the instructor.

Course participants must sequentially pass quick-check quizzes after each of the seven modules and then pass a final test in order to receive the certification. Because the training was held in person, registrants had the added benefit of being able to raise their hand during each of the module reviews to ask questions, as well as being able to ask for a better understanding of what a quiz or test question was truly asking and receive clarification in a timeline manner.

“The IIAR had external support ready and on call during the entire training period. This included David Sainato, director of education, and member services manager, Lisa Berryman,” Lundell said.

This was the first time IIAR provided an Academy of Natural Refrigerant Certificate Course in a classroom setting. The course ran over the course of three days—October 19-21—and was scheduled to harmonize with other RETA course’s breakfasts, coffee breaks and lunches taking place during the conference.

All 26 participants passed the certification course. “The registrants can clearly see the IIAR 6 Standard’s purpose and can support details of it at a new level than before,” Lundell said. “Many verbal thank you’s of appreciation were received directly after class or during the RETA Conference on Tuesday through Thursday, as well as some emails providing positive feedback and thank you’s shortly after.”

Lundell said his biggest takeaway from the session is that those in the refrigeration industry are interested in additional education to improve their working skills and sustain the ammonia refrigeration systems for their employers. “It clearly appears that more of the focused certificate courses can be done at future conferences and for companies that have multiple persons to be trained at their company locations,” he said. While this was the first time IIAR offered an Academy of Natural Refrigerant (ANR) Certificate Course, the association has provided multiple presentations during each RETA Conference. Based on the feedback, Lundell said it is more than likely that future certification courses will be offered at RETA conferences. Training is also available for individual companies that request such and can be considered to be arranged at regional locations to provide training for multiple organizations at once.

SEE THE IIAR 6 CERTIFICATION COURSE SYLLABUS

The IIAR 6 certificate course provides detailed information on the ANSI/IIAR 6-2019 Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems and ensures those who complete it will be able to apply those requirements to a safely operated and maintained closedcircuit ammonia refrigeration system. The learning is separated into seven modules.

MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL

Module 1 reviews the introductory content of ANSI/IIAR 6-2019. This material includes the standard’s purpose, scope and applicability to the inspection, testing and maintenance of closedcircuit ammonia refrigeration systems, along with key definitions. It also reviews the reference standards that informed development of the IIAR 6 standard and outlines the expected management responsibilities associated with oversight of an ITM program.

MODULE 2 – GENERAL ITM PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Module 2 covers minimum ITM program requirements, the relevance of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), addressing equipment deficiencies, frequency of ITM tasks and record keeping requirements.

MODULE 3 – ITM FOR COMPRESSORS, REFRIGERANT PUMPS AND CONDENSERS

Module 3 examines ITM tasks and indicated task frequencies for compressors, along with permitted and nonpermitted test methods for highdischarge pressure safety devices. Also addressed are ITM tasks and indicated task frequencies for refrigerant pumps and compressors.

MODULE 4 – ITM FOR EVAPORATORS AND PRESSURE VESSELS

The fourth training module in the IIAR 6 Certificate Course covers ITM tasks and indicated task frequencies for nine common types of evaporators (forced-air, shell-and-tube, plate-heat exchanger, scraped/swept surface heat exchanger, jacketed and crystallizer tanks, ice builder, bunker coil, make-up air/make-up hygienic with heat, and falling film heat exchanger). Also covered are ITM tasks and indicated task frequencies for pressure vessels, with a focus on pitting and appropriate test methods for inspection of pressure vessels.

MODULE 5 – ITM FOR PIPING AND SAFETY SYSTEMS

Module 5 begins with a look at ITM for piping, along with a focus on whether pitted or corroded piping requires further evaluation. Also addressed are ITM for transfer and non-transfer hoses, emergency ventilation systems, emergency shutdown switches, ammonia detection and alarm systems, computer-controlled safety systems, and emergency eyewash and showers.

MODULE 6 – ITM FOR OVERPRESSURE PROTECTION DEVICES, PURGERS AND AMMONIA REFRIGERANT AND SECONDARY COOLANTS

The sixth training module starts off with ITM for overpressure protection devices, with an emphasis on new guidance concerning replacement of pressure relief valves. Also addressed are ITM tasks and frequencies for purgers and ammonia refrigerant and secondary coolants.

MODULE 7 – APPENDICES

While the information found in the IIAR 6 appendices is informative and not a requirement of the standard, this seventh training module in the IIAR 6 Certificate Program provides the participant with valuable insight and interpretation into the normative text covered in the main body of the standard by reviewing the significantly expanded content of the appendices. This module covers Appendix C, “Water Contamination in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems,” Appendix D, “Avoiding Component Failure in Industrial Refrigeration Systems caused by Abnormal Pressure or Shock,” and Appendix E, “Risk Based Inspection, Testing and Maintenance.”

FINAL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

The final certificate examination is given online, and no two tests are the same. To receive the certification, qualified registrants must successfully complete Modules 1-7, quick check quizzes, and the final exam, with at least 80% correct on each.