The International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration delivered its IIAR 9 Certificate Course at the RETA 2025 National Conference Oct 18 and 19 in Spokane, WA. IIAR said it plans to deliver a course for IIAR 6-2025 during the RETA 2026 National Conference.

IIAR 9 provides the minimum safety requirements for existing closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration systems as well as provides a method to determine if existing stationary closed-circuit refrigeration systems using ammonia as a refrigerant comply with the minimum system safety requirements.

Tony Lundell, IIAR’s Senior Director of Standards and Safety delivered the course, which he said is very important at this time as the refrigeration industry approaches a January 1^st, 2026 deadline for IIAR 9. Yesenia Rector of IIAR provided support for this event and Lisa Berryman of IIAR provided remote administrative support during this event. Each participant received a printed copy of the IIAR 9 Standard and a copy of the Minimum System Safety Evaluation Checklist.

“The 2024 IFC Model Code adopted IIAR 9 in 2024, which means that jurisdictions can start checking for IIAR 9 being met, if they have an existing (older) closed-circuit ammonia system,” said Lundell.

He added that the IIAR certificate course, and IIAR 9 is important for anyone with an existing (older) closed-circuit system. “It’s important that people address any possibility of issues in their existing systems, especially where they are ten or more years old,” said Lundell. “Or where there may be safety items that have come forward over the years that are required or recommended for consideration to make systems safer.” When the latest IIAR 2 is used to meet a new design, it typically covers that system as its design RAGAGEP for a period of at least five years.

The IIAR 9 course is IIAR’s second course to be held at the RETA National Conference. The two organizations have agreed to teach courses during each organization’s respective conferences.

“This is the second year in a row that we’ve held a course with RETA and it’s been successful enough that we’ve decided to continue during future events,” said Lundell, adding that 24 participants passed the IIAR 9 course (2025), while 26 participants passed the IIAR 6 course the year before (2024). “The advantage of holding a full, in-person course live at the RETA conference is that participants get the benefit of full focus without disruption. We have expert information and review sessions that help attendees become very familiar and comfortable with the standards.”

IIAR 9 helps with a vital decision-making process, said Lundell. Before IIAR 9, owners and/or owners designated representatives questioned if their refrigeration systems fit the updated requirements for their existing (older) refrigeration systems – depending on how their system was designed where older codes and/or standards were used or may no longer exist or be in effect at this time.

According to the course description, “IIAR 9 provides a method to determine if your existing closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration system complies with minimum system safety requirements or if modifications to the existing system are needed. It is up to the owners to understand these requirements and apply them to their current system, identify any gaps, and put a plan in place to mitigate any identified gaps.”

IIAR 9 requires an initial safety evaluation to be conducted for each closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration system to ensure compliance with minimum system safety requirements. As mentioned previously, that deadline is specified in IIAR 9 as January 1^st, 2026.

“Reviewing this information in person helps everyone reinforce information retention and keeps that deadline at the top of their minds,” said Lundell. During the courses, attendees earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) that meet the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) requirements. “It’s a really good way for companies to educate their personnel on IIAR standards. The certification course also allows networking with other refrigeration professionals in the industry who take the course themselves. It builds exposure to the depth of knowledge that others have as well, so we can all challenge each other to learn and also network.”

 IIAR recognizes the twenty-four (24) IIAR 9 course participants who earned their IIAR 9 Certificate at the RETA 2025 National Conference: