Following the release of the Fernie Incident Investigation Report Technical Safety BC developed new ammonia refrigeration industry maintenance guidelines to support facility owners and refrigeration professionals with implementing the report recommendations. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide ammonia refrigeration plant owners and operators with guidance and basic information about the development, documentation, and implementation of equipment integrity management programs. They include strategies for the development, implementation, and administration of integrity equipment integrity management programs including maintenance, inspection, operating and emergency procedures. The objective is to support owners in their compliance with the requirements of both CSA B52 and CSA B51. These guidelines should be used as an additional resource for inspections, tests, maintenance and repair of ammonia refrigeration systems.
They are NOT intended to be a replacement for the power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation or its adopted codes and standards. The objective of these guidelines is to provide GOOD PRACTICE and GUIDANCE to understand and assist in the implementation of regulatory and mandatory code requirements. The information in these guidelines pertains to the policies, procedures, and requirements of Technical Safety BC for the administration of the Power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation. There may be additional regulatory requirements under the jurisdictional authority of other organizations which are applicable to ammonia refrigeration systems or the handling and storage of ammonia. These additional regulatory requirements include but are not limited to:
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulation administered by WorkSafe BC
- Environmental Management Act administered by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Other codes in addition to CSA B52 and CSA B52, adopted by the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation have requirements applicable to the inspection, maintenance and repair of ammonia refrigeration system equipment and components. As adopted codes, their requirements are mandatory and therefore must be incorporated into an equipment integrity management program. These codes include:
- ANSI/NB-23 National Board Inspection Code
- API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration
- API 570 Piping Inspection Code: Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Rerating of In-Service Piping Systems
The owner of an ammonia refrigeration system is responsible for compliance with all regulations and must not depend on these guidelines as an all-inclusive reference for regulatory requirements applicable to ammonia refrigeration plants.
Refrigeration Plant Equipment Integrity Programs (TSBC Draft #2)
Additional resources
- Fernie Ammonia Release Incident Investigation Report – Findings and Recommendations
- Presentation: Refrigeration Safety Leadership: Responsibilities and Plant Maintenance
- Handout: Refrigeration Safety Leadership: Responsibilities and Plant Maintenance