IIAR
The Official Magazine of the All-Natural Refrigeration Industry
One of the most important functions of the IIAR Board of Directors is to set the strategic direction of the association every year. This year, board members met at the headquarters of ConAgra Foods in Omaha, Nebraska, to talk about ongoing initiatives and start making plans for the year ahead.
Read MoreThe second half of the year is always a challenging and busy time for the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, and so far, 2013 has followed that precedent. As we wrap up this year’s work on behalf of the industry, the IIAR leadership is pleased to report on several successful initiatives in many different areas.
Read MoreAs part of IIAR’s ongoing effort to create and update its comprehensive suite of standards, one small but important standard is set to be introduced next year.
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On August 1st, President Obama announced the signing of an Executive Order entitled “Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security.”
Read MoreIIAR has had much success in the past 15 years in the model code arena, updating codes to more appropriately regulate ammonia refrigeration. I’m sometimes asked how we were able to sway the opinions of so many fire safety regulators to support approval of IIAR proposals, and the answer, in a word, is “education.”
Read MoreThe importance of color coding ammonia refrigeration piping is a generally accepted best practice these days, but the debate over which colors to use has been anything but black and white.
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Where’s that vapor going? Sooner or later that question must be answered when some type of work is required on an ammonia refrigeration system.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration held its first regional seminar for Central America and the Caribbean in Costa Rica last month, an event that marked the organization’s increasing involvement in education and safety advocacy in Latin America.
Read MoreIn 2013, the Costa Rican government began implementing its national strategy to eliminate hydrochlorofl ourocarbons while supporting IIAR’s first Industrial Refrigeration seminar in Central America.
Read MoreIncreased regulatory scrutiny and the growing emphasis on process safety management have spurred a steady relocation of equipment from production room fl oors, freezers and coolers to facility rooftops.
Read MoreThe search for non-ozone-depleting technologies is intensifying, with ammonia and other natural refrigerants emerging as the most viable solutions for industrial refrigeration, thanks to international treaties that put pressure on countries to phase down CFC’s and identify alternatives.
Read MoreWhether it was helping friends, family, and colleagues or advancing the interests of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, people who knew Don Siller described him as someone who was passionate about life.
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The IIAR International Committee has been hard at work on several important initiatives since it became a formal working committee in 2012. One of the group’s most important goals in 2013 has been to facilitate training by conducting seminars and providing educational materials to governments and working groups in other countries.
Read MoreThe protection of industrial cold storage warehouses is one of the most difficult challenges facing the fire protection professional.
Read MoreWhen isolating equipment that contains liquid anhydrous ammonia, the potential exists for it to become over pressurized due to thermal expansion effects. The overpressure from liquid expansion could then result in the rupture and loss of ammonia from the equipment. And that rupture and loss, if large enough, could potentially have a serious or catastrophic consequence.
Read MoreSummer is typically a time to kick back, relax, and ease up on responsibilities – but that’s not the case for our organization this year. As I continue transitioning to my new role as chairman, I am continually impressed by the whirlwind of important projects taking place at headquarters.
Read MoreThroughout this edition of the Condenser, you’ll see a common theme: Progress. Over the past few months, IIAR, and the ammonia refrigeration industry as a whole, have experienced several signs of promise and growth.
Read MoreOne of the biggest missions of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration is to provide standards that will benefit the ammonia refrigeration industry worldwide.
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The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), signed into law in 1976, provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to control potentially dangerous chemicals in U.S. commerce.
Read MoreAlthough much effort goes into coordinating various documents that regulate ammonia refrigeration systems, perfect harmony isn’t achievable for a variety of reasons. Anyone who designs or operates facilities that utilize ammonia refrigeration knows that we deal with a lot of codes and standards.
Read MoreIn 1974, the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration issued IIAR-2, a standard that would uniquely address the design and installation of ammonia refrigeration systems for the first time and establish IIAR as the standards writing body dedicated exclusively to ammonia refrigeration.
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Coordination with local responders is a basic safety responsibility for any facility, but in some cases, even if a company has a well-articulated emergency plan, the lessons learned from a small incident can reveal much bigger considerations.
Read MoreAmmonia refrigeration lost one of its most entrepreneurial and dedicated leaders last month with the passing of Rudy Nechay, a man friends and family described as passionate about his work and devoted to the advancement of his industry.
Read MoreThe European organization representing natural refrigerants continued to emphasize the sustainable reach of refrigeration at its annual conference, which this year included a presentation from IIAR chairman, Bob Port.
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On Monday, June 3 at about six o’clock in the morning, a fire broke out at a plant containing an ammonia refrigeration system which belonged to the Baoyuanfeng Poultry Company in the city of Dehui, in the Jilin Province of Northeastern China.
Read MoreEarlier this year, the United States and China agreed to work together with other countries to use the expertise and institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down consumption and production of hydrofl uorocarbons.
Read MoreAs the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration continues to establish itself as the primary resource for ammonia refrigeration and other natural refrigerants, international partnerships are more important than ever before.
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation said that it recently welcomed three new trustees and board members
Read MoreDriven by the forces of consumer optimism and business demand, the market for new environmentally friendly technologies has boomed in recent years. But now, environmental scientists are painting a bleaker picture: those new technologies will not be enough to slow global warming in the near future, when taking action to reduce greenhouse gasses will matter the most.
Read MoreEveryone is going paperless! Well, not entirely, of course. Not long ago, a member contacted the IIAR and noted that the mechanical integrity chapter of the IIAR PSM/RMP guidelines states that “Copies of the completed log sheets and maintenance and inspection records should be kept on file.
Read MoreNow that the fl urry of committee meetings, networking events and technical discussions of the IIAR conference has ended and we’re all back at work, it’s time to set some new goals and carry the momentum of our recent meeting into the rest of the year.
Read MoreOver the years, I’ve enjoyed the professional support, technical guidance and personal friendship that are only possibl when one belongs to a group as enthusiastic and hardworking as IIAR. As an IIAR member and former committee chair, I came to the annual conference every year excited about the new ideas and projects that advance the work of our industry
Read MoreIn most situations, the correct response to a threat involving ammonia in the first thirty minutes after it is identified will effectively contain most potential hazards, before they have enough time to grow into an unmanageable problem. Preparation can mean the difference between a disorganized response and the ability to shut down a potential incident when time matters the most.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration continues to be a major focus of IIAR’s government relations efforts, including the work of the newly reconstituted Government Relations Committee. IIAR members are reporting that OSHA has become increasingly active with inspections and enforcement activities. The National Emphasis Program for Chemical Facilities, or NEP, is a major reason OSHA inspection of ammonia refrigeration facilities has increased.
Read MoreBefore I begin my regular column, I would like to spend a moment in remembrance of the horrifi c tragedy that occurred in the town of West, Texas on April 17. As I write this article, a memorial service is taking place to honor the ten emergency responders who selfl essly gave their lives in the service of their community when they responded to a fi re at a fertilizer depot in the heart of town.
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We learn, hopefully, by our experience – in a classroom, in the field, or in our personal study. When operating an ammonia refrigeration system, we depend on education combined with experience. That education and experience can take the form of well thought-out and written operating procedures. And it’s worth asking: Are those operating procedures reviewed at least annually with the intent to correct or improve them from experience?
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration hit record attendance numbers, signed agreements with international organizations and introduced a new president at its 2013 Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition, an event that marked a variety of transitions and new initiatives for the association this year.
Read MoreThe IIAR International Committee’s second meeting since becoming a formal IIAR working committee in 2012 was attended by 54 people. After a review of the committee’s mission, purpose, scope and regional structure, Paul Bishop introduced the committee’s vice chairmen appointed since the last International Committee meeting was held in Milwaukee. John Flynn of Emerson Vilter was selected as the committee’s Senior Vice Chair.
Read MoreThe federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets the safe work practice guidelines that employers must comply with as minimum standards. Many states have assumed administering authority and have the right to define a higher standard of safety, when local hazards and special conditions exist.
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation (ARF), the research and education foundation organized by IIAR, said it was on track to complete new research projects, award scholarships and raise existing funding levels this year.
Read MoreIn recent years, the quality of the circulated water in evaporative condensers and cooling towers has declined as air and water pollution has increased. As regulations limit the use of many corrosion inhibitors for the hot dip galvanizing process, such as chromates, the passivation process for protection has become even more critical.
Read MoreFinal preparations are being made for the 2013 Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition in Colorado Springs and that means my term as IIAR Chairman is almost complete. We have had many accomplishments during the past year; too many to recognize them all here, and there are many more to look forward to in the coming year under the leadership of Bob Port, IIAR Chairman 2013-2104.
Read MoreThe return of Carbon Dioxide as a refrigerant is probably un-stoppable because it is much more environmentally friendly than most of the non-flammable, non-toxic refrigerants currently in use. However, it is worth considering the reasons why industry departed from it in the 1940s.
Read MoreFirst issued in 1974, IIAR 2 is about to reach its 40th birthday. As a connoisseur of codes and standards, I can think of no other document that better captures the values and the mission of IIAR. Written over the years by individuals with some of the most recognizable names in the industry, IIAR 2 provides the primary basis for IIAR’s self-determination of the regulatory environment for design and installation of ammonia refrigeration systems.
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The November 2012 elections brought no change in the balance of power in the Federal Government. President Obama won a second term, the House of Representatives remains controlled by Republicans, and the Democrats retained their majority in the Senate. With no changes in the balance of power, major legislative efforts will require some level of compromise.
Read MoreOne of the most important activities in the industrial refrigeration industry is the advancement of technology through research and education. The Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation is dedicated to this goal, enabling IIAR to advocate for code and government policy changes which benefit the industry in design, construction and the operation of increasingly safer and more efficient systems.
Read MoreThe ammonia refrigeration industry lost one of its most devoted advocates and enthusiastic mentors last year with the passing of Bill Bowles, former IIAR Chairman, president of Evapco and first chairman of the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation. Although Bill had retired from the industry, he remained personally invested in its success, serving on IIAR’s ARF Board of Directors as Chairman of the Trustees and as Vice Chairman of Evapco’s Board of Directors through 2012.
Read MoreAiming to cut pollution while creating incentives for energy efficiency, the Australian Parliament passed the Clean Energy Future legislation on November 8, 2011, introducing a new carbon pricing scheme to be structured in two phases.
Read MoreThe ammonia refrigeration industry continues to experience an increase in enforcement activities that utilize OSHA’s General Duty Clause, specifically in facilities with less than 10,000 pounds of ammonia, where OSHA expects process safety-like standards to be in place.
Read MoreThis year, IIAR’s 2013 Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition will be hold at one of the organization’s most beautiful conference locations, the Broadmoor Hotel and Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, March 17–20. With the usual emphasis on a well developed technical track, including a special focus on CO2, this year’s program will encompass many of the industry’s most important subject areas.
Read MoreWith the ever increasing awareness of the benefits Natural Refrigerants have for the environment there has been a renewed emphasis in the use of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a refrigerant for the Industrial Refrigeration Industry. Naturally occurring refrigerants like Ammonia (NH3) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are by definition environmentally neutral.
Read MoreWashington resident Ed Viesturs is widely regarded as this country’s foremost highaltitude mountaineer. He is familiar to many from the 1996 IMAX documentary EVEREST and in 2002, he was awarded the historic Lowell Thomas Award by the Explorer’s Club for outstanding achievement in the field of mountaineering.
Read MoreAAIM Controls From starters and drives to PLC systems and microprocessor designs, AAIM Controls has the expertise for all your automation requirements with over 90 years of combined refrigeration controls experience.
Read MoreThe topic of alarms and detectors is often discussed in this publication and several others. Perhaps the reason that it is discussed so much is that there is not clear, written, single source guidance on how to handle the various aspects surrounding ammonia alarms and detectors.
Read MoreIIAR is a group of professionals representing End-users, Engineers, Contractors, Manufacturers and Educational Institutions who are dedicated to the advancement of the safe use of natural refrigerants in the refrigeration industry.
Read MoreEfficient, tested eyewash and shower stations that are properly built, installed, and maintained are a central part of any machine room, and eyewash and shower procedures are a basic part of emergency response planning, at least where EPA and OSHA regulations are concerned.
Read MoreIn other industries, insulation is installed to protect people from touching hot process piping and getting burned; or to keep heat in the pipe to assist in lowering the viscosity of the process fluid thereby facilitating flow
Read MoreThere are many devices on the market that can detect and respond to a refrigerant leak, but the International, Uniform, NFPA, ASHRAE and IIAR codes and standards provide limited guidance with respect to detector location, installation and equipment requirements
Read MoreWith the initiation of the National Emphasis Program for Chemical Facilities (NEP) in 2009 and the nationalization of the program in late 2011, OSHA enforcement activity in the ammonia refrigeration industry has been intensifying.
Read MoreThe so called Low Pressure Receiver system has been the subject of several papers since it was first introduced in 1972 However, the present situation in which ways are being sought to replace the excellent refrigerant, R22, with more environmentally friendly refrigerants would seem to provide opportunities for an extension of the application of ammonia LPR systems.
Read MoreThe work of the Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation represents one of the most important activities in the industrial refrigeration industry, the advancement of technology through research and education.
Read MoreAs home to seventeen percent of the world’s population, preserving India’s food supply is a major endeavor; yet about 30 percent of food production in India goes to waste, highlighting the need for more large cold storage and food processing facilities where ammonia is the refrigerant of choice.
Read MoreThe IIAR Committees have always served as a forum for the open discussion and advancement of the important issues we face in our industry.
Read MoreBy now most all IIAR members are aware that the IIAR is endeavoring to create a suite of “cradle to grave” standards for the construction, operation and de-commissioning of ammonia refrigerating systems.
Read MoreThe International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration is gearing up for the 2012 IIAR Conference & Exhibition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and that means my term as Chairman is almost over.
Read MoreWhen the Process Safety Management and Risk Management program regulations were originally introduced in the mid-1990’s, the ammonia refrigeration industry scrambled to find the best way to comply with the largely undefined regulations. The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration responded by producing the industry’s first set of guidelines to help refrigeration companies meet federal regulations for facilities that use over 10,000 lbs. of ammonia.
Read MoreRecently, the IIAR Code Committee was asked to weigh in on the use of checklists for inspection of ammonia refrigeration systems.
Read MoreAs reported in the last issue of The Condenser, the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration was working late in 2011 to finalize the national rollout of the PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program (NEP).
Read MoreRecent political figures have resurrected interest in the space program and the conversation invariably highlights all of the great technology spinoffs of NASA, from memory foam, freeze-dried foods and HACCP to Tang (maybe – not so much!).
Read MoreBlow out panels are sections of walls, louvers, hatches or doors that are designed to relieve pressure from an explosion.
Read MoreThe passing of Will Stoecker over the Labor Day weekend is a deeply felt loss, not only for his family, but also for all of us in this industry.
Read MoreWhen it comes to ammonia, said Will Stoecker, “The fact that it stinks is one of the best things about it!”
Read MoreIf you operate a place of business, do you fear “the inspector?”
Read MoreParker Hannifin has announced a recall of certain Sporlan/Refrigeration Specialties MA17 solenoid valves. Standard Machine & Manufacturing Co. manufactures MA17 solenoid valves for Sporlan and Refrigeration
Read More2010 has been a busy year for IIAR Government Affairs activities dealing with issues ranging from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and Alliances, to chemical facility security policies.
Read MoreThe Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation (ARF) 2011Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, March 26, 2011 in conjunction with the IIAR 2011 Industrial Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Show in Orlando, Florida
Read MoreMore than before, people are looking for ways to economize their refrigeration operations.
Read MoreRecently, the IIAR participated in the presentation of a webinar in association with the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership.
Read MoreConsultants have called the IIAR headquarters a few times recently with the following question: “I have an owner who has a building with two ammonia refrigeration systems. The systems are independent of each other.
Read MoreIn October 2010, the IIAR Board of Directors meets to conduct its annual strategic planning session. The two-fold purpose of the session is to: 1. Define goals for the IIAR in the upcoming year, and 2. Set in motion plans to achieve these goals.
Read MoreAmmonia took center stage recently in televised images of NASA astronauts attaching a 1700 lb, doublechamber tank which contained a 600 lb ammonia charge to the International Space Station (ISS).
Read MoreEvery three years, new editions of the International and Uniform codes are published and made available for adoption by state and local jurisdictions.
Read MoreThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) focused on Process Safety Management in chemical facilities at the end of July 2009.
Read MoreBusinesses seek to provide income to their shareholders or “bottom line.” Safe facilities are more profitable than unsafe facilities.
Read MoreTwo systems are generally available to remove moisture from the air in a low temperature refrigeration process.
Read MoreBob Port, Lead Mechanical Engineer, Target, Co. has been elected to IIAR’s Executive Committee where he will serve as treasurer.
Read MoreIn other sections of this magazine, we’ve highlighted IIAR’s role as a standard setting organization and as an association that acts as the voice of the industrial refrigeration industry.
Read MorePressure relief valves are engineered safety devices intended to protect pressure vessels and other pressurecontaining equipment from catastrophic failure as a result of excessive pressure excursions that may occur during operation or standby conditions.
Read MoreThere are risks involved whenever anhydrous ammonia is transferred to or from an industrial refrigeration system.
Read MoreStandard ANSI/IIAR 2-2008 is being updated soon. As most readers are aware, IIAR 2 is the ANSI/IIAR standard for equipment, design and installation for closed circuit ammonia refrigeration systems.
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