Operations at this installation, which featured a recent design, had been partially started in 1996; the latest in a series of plant extensions, including space designated for ammonia storage, was authorized on January 9, 1997. This plant processed 150 tonnes/day of meat (animal slaughter and production of vacuum-sealed meats, frozen ground beef, both frozen and fresh meats), with a total slaughter capacity of 450 to 500 heads of beef cattle.
The facility contained refrigeration equipment operated using ammonia as the refrigerant liquid, along with a production unit for cooling glycol water with this same fluid. The installations involved in the accident were gradually placed into service: animal slaughtering/cutting, and other premises operating on January 1st, 1997; followed by the cold room on March 1st; and the ground beef deep freezer on May 1st of the same year.