We continue to see NH3 LOPC events from piping and piping components. We could debate whether PSM/RMP has had an impact on this industrial sector. I have no idea what actually failed nor do I know the failure mode. What I do know is that NH3 makes the news weekly. Compared to Chlorine, #2 HHC/EHS in ranking of locations, I hardly see any leaks; maybe one (1) quarter and most of those are at Government run facilities (don’t get me started!). Anyway here is a summary of what happened last week in FL at a Cold Storage Warehouse. What I can tell you is that is a rare phenomenon to find an NH3 refrigeration process adopt API 570 for their piping MI efforts and the ones that have been convinced to go this route, somehow decided their NH3 piping is a Class 2, rather than Class 1. Why does this matter? Class 1 requires inspection/testing every 5-years; Class 2 is every 10-years. When we ask for the engineering or risk analysis the facility did to justify this classification… you guessed it – it was 100% a financial decision and engineering and risks has zero to do with the decision. We typically here “well the standard does not list NH3 in their description of Class 1” or my personal favorite “Come on Bryan we are not a refinery”.
On Tuesday morning, April 28, 2026, a significant anhydrous ammonia release occurred at a cold storage facility within Port Everglades, Florida.
Incident Overview
Time & Location: The leak was reported at around 9:45 a.m. at a cold-chain warehouse used by food distributors near the port.
Cause: A preliminary investigation by Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Fire Rescue identified a failure in a transmission pipe that supplies the facility’s refrigeration system.
Injuries: One person was transported to Broward Health Medical Center in stable condition. No other injuries were reported.
Response & Containment
Multi-Agency Response: Hazmat teams from BSO Fire Rescue, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, and Hollywood Fire Rescue responded to the scene.
Road Closures: Several nearby roads were shut down to create a safety perimeter, leading to significant traffic congestion around the port throughout the morning.
Shelter-in-Place: While no formal evacuations were ordered for the surrounding community, authorities urged residents and drivers to avoid the immediate area until the leak was secured.