This week, I began working on a process design review project for a client looking to build a facility in the state of WI. This facility will use Anhydrous Ammonia within the facility and SAFTENG was hired to ensure compliance with the design and installation/construction of their Anhydrous Ammonia process. As part of the project, SAFTENG performed a code/standard review for the state of WI. In this review, I came across the WI state code for SPS 343.10, ANHYDROUS AMMONIA which contains an interesting caveat regarding RV replacements.
The state of WI does allow the every popular 5-year frequency; however, the RV can NOT be over 2 years old at the time of its installation. Here is the code language: (NOTE: emphasis added by me)
SPS 343.44 Pressure relief devices [K61.1 5.8].
(1) FLOW CAPACITY [K61.1 5.8.1]. This is a department rule in addition to the requirements in K61.1 5.8.1:Pressure relief device flow capacity shall conform to the ASME Code requirements for capacity rating.
(2) DEVICE REPLACEMENT [K61.1 5.8.16]. This is a department rule in addition to the requirements in K61.1 5.8.16
In lieu of the expiration date, a relief valve may be used for a total of 5 years if a record is maintained of when it was installed and it was not over 2 years old at the time of installation.
History: Cr. Register, September 2000, No. 537, eff. 10−1−00.
And for those of you in “refrigeration”, MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION, SPS 345.511 General requirements has the same “expiration date” of two (2) years for a RV…
SPS 345.511 General requirements. (1) PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE REPLACEMENT. This is a department rule in addition to the requirements in ANSI/ASHRAE standard 15 section 11.6:
(a) All pressure relief valves for any ammonia mechanical refrigeration system that exists on or after September 1, 2010, shall be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and all of the following, except as provided in par. (b):
1. Each valve shall be replaced within 5 years after the date of installation.
2. Each valve may not be over 2 years old at the time of installation.
3. A record of the valve’s installation shall be maintained until the valve is replaced.
…
(b) This subsection does not apply to relief devices that discharge internally to another part of a closed-loop refrigeration system.
As I have written before, RV’s sitting on shelves in warehouses waiting to be installed in the next turn-around/shutdown should have EXPIRATION DATES. Now we can see that in the state of WI, at least, they now OFFICIALLY have a 2-year expiration date.
UPDATE 1/18/2015: I have received numerous inquires about this posting. Below is how the state of WI enacted their mechanical refrigeration code; it seems that September 1, 2010 is the magical date and seeing how RVs get changed AT LEAST every five (5) years, new RV’s that go to the shelf after 9/1/2010 would fall under this “shelf life” rule of 2 years. Existing plants will be impacted by (1)(c) below. Links to the entitre code are provided at the end of this page.
SPS 345.11 Application.
(1) General. This chapter applies to all of the following except as provided in sub. (2):
(a) All mechanical refrigeration systems that are installed or constructed on or after September 1, 2010.
(b) A change to a refrigerant of a different number designation.
(c) Replacement parts or components for any mechanical refrigeration system that exists on or after September 1, 2010.
(d) Alterations to any mechanical refrigeration system that exists on or after September 1, 2010.
Note: A proposed alteration for an existing system may necessitate modifying other components of the system in order to make the proposed alteration comply with this chapter – and some alterations may necessitate modifying other features of a building, such as an automatic fire sprinkler system, that must comply with requirements in chapters SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code.
Note: As referenced in section SPS 345.40 (2) (c), see subchapter VI of chapter SPS 341 for additional requirements relating to alterations and repairs for pressure vessels and their fittings, settings or appurtenances.
Note: Designers, contractors, and owners are encouraged to contact the Department to discuss their intentions for alterations and to determine, on a case-by-case basis, any upgrades that are needed. See the Note under section SPS 345.31 (2) (b) 2. for the corresponding telephone number or address.
(e) Repaired portions or components of any mechanical refrigeration system that exists on or after September 1, 2010.
Note: Under this paragraph, any portions of a system that are being repaired must comply with the rules of this chapter which exist on the date of the repair. See paragraph (f) and section SPS 345.11 (3) for the applicability of this chapter to any other portions of the system.
(f) Operation, testing, maintenance and inspection of all mechanical refrigeration systems that exist on or after September 1, 2010.
(g) Any removal, transfer, storage, release, recovery, charging or other use of any ozone-depleting refrigerant that exists in Wisconsin on or after September 1, 2010.
(2) Exemptions. This chapter does not apply to the use of water or air as the primary refrigerant.
(3) Retroactivity. A design, construction or installation rule in subchs. III to VI does not apply retroactively to mechanical refrigeration systems or components existing prior to the effective date of the rule unless specifically stated in the rule.
(4) Differing rules.
(a) Where any department-written rule in this chapter differs from a requirement within a standard referenced in this chapter, the department-written rule shall govern.
(b) Where a provision of this chapter prescribes a general requirement and another provision of this chapter prescribes a specific or more detailed requirement regarding the same subject, the specific or more detailed requirement shall govern, except as provided in par. (a).
(c) Where different sections of this chapter specify conflicting requirements, the most restrictive requirement, as determined by the department, shall govern, except as provided in pars. (a) and (b).
(5) Interpretations. Under s. 101.02 (1), Stats., the department reserves the right to interpret the requirements in this chapter and in all adopted codes and standards.
Note: Section 101.02 (1) of the Statutes reads as follows: “The department shall adopt reasonable and proper rules and regulations relative to the exercise of its powers and authorities and proper rules to govern its proceedings and to regulate the mode and manner of all investigations and hearings.”
History: CR 03-012: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 10-011: (title), (1) and (2) renum. from Comm 45.02 and am. (title), (1) (title), (intro.), (a), (c) and (d), cr. (1) (e) to (g), and (3) to (5) Register August 2010 No. 656, eff. 9-1-10.
Sources:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/326_360/345.pdf
Some have requested a live link to the WI rules: