Author: developer

Pre-Emergency Readiness is Well Managed Business

s much as we don’t like to admit it, ammonia leaks happen. Even in systems we feel we manage and care for exceptionally well. But with increasing turnover resulting in less experience on off-shifts, where management presence is the lightest, and increased wear and tear from heightened demands being put on aging equipment, leaks are […]

Real or Virtual?

BY KEM RUSSELL Life during the past sev- LESSON eral months has been a challenge when deciding if something might be done “for real” or must be done “virtually”. This past July I was scheduled to be a back-up guide for groups of young men as the various groups attempted to hike up nine prominent […]

The Mathematics of Filling Tax Brackets

tilizing (or “filling”) the lower tax brackets is a simple, yet often overlooked, tax planning strategy. Consider the fictional case of Chuck and Debbie to help you better understand the mathematics of filling the lower tax brackets in order to improve your overall tax situation. Chuck and Debbie both recently retired at the age of […]

IAR Works with Allies Across the Globe on Committee Work and Standards

IAR has expanded the number of memorandums of understanding (MOU) it has with countries, with Spain and Australia becoming the last two countries to become IIAR’s Allied Organizations. Other countries with MOUs include Columbia, Chile, China, and Costa Rica. As part of the MOU with Spain, the Association of Cold Companies and their Technologies (AEFYT), […]

Policy Implications of a Biden Presidency

While there are still some uncertainties about the final results of the 2020 elections, including key runoff elections for two Senate seats in the state of Georgia, it is important to look at the potential policy implications of a Biden presidency. As with all presidential administrations, there will be some policy changes that can be […]

President’s Message by Dave Rule

The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration is growing, both within the United States and abroad, thanks to the use of natural refrigerants and IIAR’s efforts to bring awareness of their value to other countries. This year’s annual IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference and EXPO, convening March 3-6 in Phoenix, is both a reflection of that growth […]

Chairman’s Message by Mike Lynch

As I wind up my year as chairman of IIAR, I look back and see all the wonderful accomplishments that you – our members and committees have achieved, setting the stage for even more in the year ahead. I am excited about the dedication of our incoming chair, Bruce Nelson, and the prospects for continued […]

OLD GAME, NEW CARDS

Corrosion Resistance Gets Renewed Attention as Stainless, New Coatings Move into Market aintenance costs, particularly for labor, are increasing, and the traditional material specified for piping and valve systems – painted carbon steel – is changing as end users search for solutions to minimize maintenance and increase reliability. “The presence of corrosion creates specific issues, […]

The Sustainability Challenge

BY BRUCE NELSON o date, activities within the International Institute for Ammonia Refrigeration have dealt exclusively with ammonia safety and ammonia refrigeration systems. That’s who we are, where we come from and what we’ve done well. Recently, however, it has become clear that IIAR needs to take up the challenge of promoting the safe and […]

Costa Rica Adopts IIAR Standards

n late January Costa Rica officially adopted several standards from the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration to govern ammonia refrigeration facilities in the country. Costa Rica is the first to take such a progressive move in Latin America, and others in the region are taking note. “Because of what’s happening in Costa Rica, other Latin […]

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) of Manually Operated Hand Valves

rying to understand and properly apply standards and regulations is not only a time consuming effort, but also challenging. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has Standard 29 CFR 1910.147, titled “The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)”, which is commonly referred to as “Lockout/Tagout”. In Section 1910.147(a)(1)(i), it states, “This standard covers the servicing […]

Foundation Research Projects Summary

he Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation is dedicated to furthering the advancement of the knowledge and technology that drives the growth of natural refrigerants. The Foundation’s three ongoing research projects are helping the industry address and solve specific technical problems as well as contribute new information to the code and regulatory communities. Here, the Foundation’s research project […]

Machinery Rooms in Europe and USA: Sprinkler Systems

BY MONIKA WITT, EURAMMON achinery rooms are enclosed zones with mechanical ventilation, separated from public space and accessible only to authorized personnel. They serve primarily as dry and protected places for the components of a refrigeration system, mainly compressors and pressure vessels, but also additional equipment, for example in secondary systems the evaporator and/or water […]

Welcome to the 2019 IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Exhibition!

e are coming off of a very successful conference in Colorado Springs last year where we celebrated our 40th IIAR Annual Conference. This year we are pleased to return to Phoenix after many years. The last time we were here was in 1981 and the conference, our organization and our industry looked very different. At […]

IIAR’s Conference Tech Papers Expand to Include Commercial Sector

ne main focus of the technical program this year was to help educate commercial decision makers and designers. “Commercial end users are starting to become more interested in natural refrigerants,” Eric Smith, IIAR’s vice president and technical director, said. “Now people are beginning to wonder about their applications – how well it’s been going, the […]

Charitable Contributions from IRAs

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 first allowed taxpayers age 70½ and older to make tax-free charitable donations directly from their IRAs. By making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA directly to a qualified charitable organization, older IRA owners were allowed to exclude up to $100,000 annually from gross income. These gifts, also […]

John Yencho Retires from Hansen

e respectfully announce the retirement of one of Hansen’s most dedicated and long-term contributors – John Yencho. John has been a key contributor to our success over his 34+ years of service and the industry. Although he is officially retiring, we expect him to remain involved with Hansen’s on-going innovation efforts. John has shared his […]

Was it Communicated?

BY KEM RUSSELL Some may recall the statement made in the 1967 “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” Clear and understood communication is important in almost all interactions we have. As important as good communication is, we still have challenges in making it happen. Communication of information has changed a lot in just […]

Supreme Court Declines to Hear HFC Case, EPA Proposes Removing HFC Leak Requirements

On January 18, 2019, President Trump signed legislation to extend the authority for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. CFATS, administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was set to expire on January 19th unless legislation was enacted to continue its authority. Industry and DHS called for reauthorization to prevent a lapse in […]

President’s Message by Dave Rule

Having just returned from IIAR’s exciting 2019 annual conference, I’m even more committed to the importance of our association and the many advantages of membership. The conference, held in Phoenix in March, was another record-setter in terms of attendance and the span of our technical program. The 2019 conference included a duel industrial-commercial technical track […]

Secondary Systems Offer IIAR Opportunity For Expansion

As your IIAR chairman for this year, I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who made our 2019 annual meeting in Phoenix a great success, and especially to welcome all our new IIAR members. Your participation and spirit of volunteer leadership is essential to helping our industry meet the many challenges that lay ahead. […]

Future-Proofing Refrigerants

Naturals Reach Wider Markets as Environmental Incentives Increase gainst a shifting regulator landscape, with restrictions of hydrofluorocarbon synthetic refrigerants growing by fits and starts, use of natural refrigerants is increasing among a widening range of companies seeking to ensure that their investments will be viable in the future. In industries ranging from biotechnology and pharmaceuticals […]

IIAR Releases New Standards and Updates

he IIAR presently has eight American National Standard Institute (ANSI) approved standards at this time and three additional new standards that are presently in development making a total of 11 standards overall. ANSI/IIAR approved standards are reviewed entirely from cover-to-cover, at a minimum, every five- years for periodic maintenance. In addition to the five-year periodic […]

Putting Funds to Use to Drive Innovative Solutions for the Industry, Foundation Members

t ARF, our mission, as a nonprofit research and education foundation, is to promote, fund and provide scientific and educational projects that are related to the use of ammonia, natural refrigerants and industrial refrigeration. It’s not only our mission, but it is our reality. As members of our organization, the industry and the community, we […]

Well-attended Auxilary Session at IIAR Phoenix Conference Explored Energy Efficiencies

nergy efficiency was the focus of a well-attended and extensive auxiliary educational program at the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration annual conference, held in March in Phoenix. Sponsored by CIMCO Refrigeration, the event brought together engineers to discuss a wide variety of topics related to the design, maintenance, operation and retrofitting of refrigeration systems to […]

IIAR Announces Awards for Presentation Excellence

ach year, some of the best minds and top talent in the industrial and commercial refrigeration industry gather from around the world at the IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo. These experts present technical papers at the IIAR Technical Program in conjunction with this event, and each year the best, most informative presenters are honored […]

International Committee Focuses on Standards Adoption

he International Committee of the IIAR is working across Latin America to educate leaders in several countries in the region, helping them adopt IIAR standards to better promote safety, sustainability and international commerce. Yesenia Rector, director of the IIAR, said all of the IIAR’s standards have now been translated into Spanish, and these documents were […]

IIAR, NASRC, Partnership Delivers New Technical Track

t this year’s IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference and Expo, held in Phoenix, the IIAR announced its partnership with the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council. Through this partnership, educational programming at the conference was expanded to include a Commercial and Food Retail education Track. Launched in 2015, NASRC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and […]

Safety Committee Working on Hazardous Energy Lockout Standard for Manual Valves

he IIAR’s safety committee is continuing its efforts to draft a guideline for the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard 29 CFR 1919.147, more commonly called “the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout),” or LOTO for short. The project includes a second survey to IIAR members that pays particular attention to actual refrigeration-industry […]

Charitable Giving

Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the amount of taxes your estate may owe when you die. There are many ways to give to […]

Who’s Prepared?

I have been in the industrial refrigeration industry for, well, a long time. Over the decades LESSON I have seen many changes in technology and regulations. However, one thing that in more recent years really stands out is who is prepared to take over a position? The industrial refrigeration field has been a fairly secure […]

Corrosion Allowance

he latest version of IIAR 2, Standard for Safe Design of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems will soon be published as “IIAR 2-2014, with Addendum A”. Among other important changes to the standard, there will no longer be a requirement for an additional 1/16” corrosion allowance (CA) on ammonia refrigeration vessels. The design of pressure vessels […]

Green New Deal and Climate Policy

Climate policy is taking center stage with Democrats in Congress who gained control of the House of Representatives after the 2018 elections and the over 20 candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. The debate, and rhetoric, is heating up and looks to continue as we head into the presidential election next year. […]

President’s Message by Dave Rule

Once again, our industry is facing a major decision as to the preferred refrigerant that will provide appropriate performance and efficiency while considering the impact on the environment and public safety. This is a complicated question that must address the many diverse applications that are required for industrial and commercial refrigeration, many types of process […]

Hydrocarbons — A Natural Next Step For IIAR

Many hydrocarbons such as Propane, Propylene, and Iso-Butane, make great refrigerants. They are natural, have zero ODP, GWP less than 4, and are categorized as non-toxic. Compared to the HFC’s and HFO’s (also known as “F-Gases”) they have: High COP High Latent Heat Low Liquid Density Low Cost Similar Working Pressures The hydrocarbons are compatible […]

Future Focus

AS SECONDARY REFRIGERANTS EVOLVE, END USERS SEE OPPORTUNITY IN NEW TECH s refrigerants with highglobal-warming potential are phased out, natural refrigerants are being considered for new applications, and the industry is seeing increased use of secondary refrigeration units that allow users to lower their ammonia charge. Ken Mozek, refrigeration sales manager for Air Treatment Corp., […]

Industry Research Leads to New Insight on Optimum Pipe Sizing

fter extensive research and analysis, IIAR’s Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation has released new information on the economics of piping selection and on the proper selection of ammonia wet suction risers, which can help end users prevent oversizing of piping and using more energy than is necessary. The research and analysis projects resulted in new information that […]

Curbing Confined Space Confusion

s code interpretations continue to change and improvements slowly morph into normal practice, when the time comes to tackle OSHA’s confined space standard, where do you start? SPACE EVALUATIONS: The first phase of tackling OSHA 1910.146, is identifying if you have confined spaces. This is done by performing space evaluations. Typically the details of how […]

Education Committee Reports Scholarship Program Growth

our Foundation’s scholarship program has been steadily growing since it was launched in 2016, helping address the industry’s growing need for specifically trained engineers. Mark Stencel, chairman of IIAR’s Education Committee, said that in 2016, the program had three applicants. The next year, it was seven. Then it grew to 10. In 2019, there were […]

Selecting the Right Compressors

or a refrigeration system to run at optimal energy efficiency, it’s important to carefully select the right type of compressors need to be selected, and the correct cooling method employed. There are three primary types of refrigeration compressors – rotary screw, reciprocating, and rotary vane. Understanding how they work is critical in running an operation […]

Shipping Bay: Safety & Reduced Energy Usage Overlap (a Win-Win)

While working as the utilities and facilities manager, to bring on a new major expansion at a large food manufacturing facility, “Safety Always” was part of the culture. The new expansion called for growing from a facility with eight lines of existing production to an immediate addition of sixteen production lines – and targeted to […]

IIAR Extends Safety, Education to Global Partners

IAR continues to be active internationally, participating in and sponsoring conferences and natural refrigeration education in India, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Colombia, with the goal to share IIAR’s message to important global stakeholders. In several venues, IIAR is helping to promote the use of natural refrigerants and to develop training to familiarize regulatory bodies with […]

The Catch 22 of R22 Replacements

FREON AND BEYOND f you’ve recently googled “it’s almost 2020 and I still have R22” then hopefully this article grants you some timely insights. The world of refrigerants has become much more complex since you could refer to your refrigerant as “Freon” and not make an embarrassing social blunder because you were actually using a […]

IIAR Webinar Series Addresses Safe Work Practices

he International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration has researched and gathered information from several members over the past year to develop a series of seven “Permit to Work: Safe Work Practices” webinars to help members of the industry stay safe and remain OSHA compliant. The General Duty Clauses from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and […]

Health Savings Accounts: Are They Just What the Doctor Ordered?

re health insurance premiums taking too big of a bite out of your budget? Do you wish you had better control over how you spend your health-care dollars? If so, you may be interested in an alternative to traditional health insurance called a health savings account (HSA). HOW DOES THIS HEALTH-CARE OPTION WORK? An HSA […]

Knowing Without Looking?

BY KEM RUSSELL Recently, I was working with the main refrigeration operaLESSON tor at a facility when he stated something that I felt was not a good idea. Since I would be working with this person and company for some time over the foreseeable future I didn’t respond to his statement, but started thinking if […]

EPA Continues Compliance Focus on Ammonia Facilities

Compliance and safety in ammonia facilities continues to be a high priority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2016, EPA announced a series of National Enforcement Initiatives focused on improving safety in a variety of high hazard industries. Among these initiatives was an effort entitled “Reducing Accidental Releases at Industrial and Chemical Facilities”. EPA […]

Operating Cost Comparison between Transcritical CO2 and Ammonia Recirculation Systems in a Cold Storage Warehouse

Chris Herzog, Principal Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Partners and Peter Lepschat, Director of Engineering Henningsen Cold Storage INTRODUCTION Henningsen Cold Storage Co. (HCS) is a public refrigerated warehousing company based primarily in the Pacific Northwest. In business since 1923, HCS operates more than 60 million ft3 of multi-temperature-controlled storage at 13 facilities. The company embraces a […]

Register Now, the IIAR Heavy Equipment Show is Just Around the Corner!

The end of the year is coming to a close quickly, and that means your IIAR staff at headquarters is busy preparing for the next annual conference, in March at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Resort in Orlando, Florida. I’m excited to announce many additions to this Heavy Equipment Show that are new in […]

Energy and Sustainability

I often think about the myster of human thought. How something unseen and metaphysical can affect and alter things that are seen and physical. The old saying is certainly true, that “Ideas have consequences”. As an engineer I was taught that entropy (disorder) unavoidably increases in the universe according to the second law of thermodynamics. […]

IIAR Moves Forward on CO2 Standard

he use of carbon dioxide as a refrigerant has continued to increase, and the IIAR is moving closer to finalizing a new CO2 standard, which will address several critical aspects of CO2 refrigeration, such as installation, startup, inspection, testing and maintenance. “It will be a document that end users, contractors and business operators can reference […]

Advancements in Refrigeration Equipment Require Advanced Lubricants

ny machinery with moving parts requires a lubricant, and the lubricant landscape within the refrigeration industry has gotten more complicated over the past 25 years as new types of equipment have entered the marketplace. A major factor driving the change has been regulatory requirements, which have led to increasing numbers of end-users seeking low-global warming […]

Foundation Sees Fundraising Success

he Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation is in the midst of its annual fundraising drive, and this year is already looking promising, said Joe Mandato, chairman of the ARF board of trustees. Your foundation has set a fundraising goal of $500,000. “I think that’s a reasonable goal,” Mandato said. “I anticipate we will reach the goal, but […]

Clean Evaporator Coils Reduce Energy Expenditure, Lower Costs

umerous factors can contribute to decreases in a refrigeration system’s energy efficiency, not the least of which is its cleanliness. Much of the time, when facility operators see a facility’s efficiency drop, they believe that indicates they must replace the systems with larger units, when in fact, they often simply need to clean the systems […]

ASME Low Temperature Requirements for Impact Testing

RICHARD MERRILL or those of us that didn’t major in metallurgy, steel was always a pretty simple material. It was pretty springy and flexible stuff. Just about any shape was possible. Steel could be loaded up to a point and it would bend, but when unloaded it would spring back to its original shape. If […]

From the Montreal Protocol to the Paris Agreement: How Refrigerants Have Felt the Chill of Global Environmental Regulations

EILEEN M. MCKEOWN, IIAR, VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND SALES nternational refrigerant related environmental regulation began in a laboratory at the University of California, Irvine, in 1973 when a postdoctoral fellow, Mario J. Molina, under the supervision of F. Sherwood Rowland, made a groundbreaking and controversial hypothesis that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could destroy ozone (O3) in the […]

International Update: A Focus on Education in Latin America

n Chile, the International Committee of the IIAR has been working with the University of Santiago’s department of mechanical engineering along with the Chilean Chamber of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (CChRyC) to develop a diploma track specifically to prepare refrigeration engineers to work with ammonia systems. The first class – 14 engineers in total – […]

Understanding Bond Yields and the Yield Curve

hen it comes to investing in bonds, one of the first factors to consider is yield. But what exactly is “yield?” The answer depends on how the term is being used. In the broadest sense, an investment’s yield is the return you get on the money you’ve invested. However, there are many different ways to […]

Pre-emergency preparedness

Are you prepared? I think most of us think we are LESSON prepared, at least to deal with whatever we expect to happen. The trouble is that often what we come up against is not something we expected – therefore we are not prepared to deal with it. For ammonia refrigeration whether a system has […]

Regulatory Reforms Advance in Canada and U.S.

Regulations are a major consideration for the industrial refrigeration industry in the United States, Canada and many other countries. IIAR has long worked to improve the regulatory climate in the U.S. and is now working to broaden its influence across the globe. In some cases, this takes the form of promoting IIAR standards in countries […]

Developing and Implementing Effective Ammonia Refrigeration System Operating Procedures

Michael Keller, CIRO PSM Compliance Specialist, Bassett Mechanical ABSTRACT This paper provides guidance on developing and implementing operating procedures for ammonia refrigeration systems. The regulatory information is based on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (29CFR1910.119) standard (1992), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions’ (40 CFR part […]

President’s Message by Dave Rule

It’s that time of year again, and I’m happy to welcome all IIAR members back to our most important event – the IIAR annual conference and exhibition. Before I get into the exciting things we’ve got in store for you as an organization this year, I’d like to take a minute to recognize all our […]

Chairman’s Message by Walter Teeter

It’s amazing how quickly a year can go by. Our 2018 annual conference is here already, and while that means this is the last annual meeting during my term as Chairman, this year’s conference represents just the beginning of many exciting developments for IIAR and its members. In each membership year, the annual conference is […]

NH3 | CO2 TAKE GOLD

ICE RINKS ANSWER HFC PHASE OUT WITH NATURAL REFRIGERANTS BY MINDY LONG ce rinks from community recreation facilities to the National Hockey League are moving to natural refrigerants such as ammonia and carbon dioxide as they replace aging facilities and deal with the mandatory phase out of R-22, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that has been widely used […]

CONFERENCE CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Welcome to Colorado and the 2018 Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo Special thanks to every company who provided important financial support for IIAR through their conference participation It’s the beginning of a new annual conference for all of us at IIAR, and that means it’s time to meet new colleagues, network, and catch up with […]

ARF Message

Foundation-Led Apprenticeship Program Takes Off The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, in partnership with other industry leaders — including The Foundation, RETA, IIAR, GCCA, Lanier Technical College, and Fastport — has created an apprentice program for mechanics and technicians to help bolster the refrigeration workforce. The program is designed to train ammonia refrigeration technicians in […]

From Threat Assessment to Employee Engagement: IIAR Tech Papers Unveil Research, Analyze Data

tilizing bow-tie graphics to assess and prevent potential threats to an industrial ammonia refrigeration system, the importance of employee engagement and building relationships with first responders, and the benefits of ammonia scrubbing with C02 are among the technical papers and workshops that will be presented at this year’s annual IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference and Expo. […]

Efficiency Can be Just Another Controllable Cost

Energy efficiency can be achieved in ways other than with new technology. It can also prove to be a controllable cost, just as with labor and equipment. By developing an energy management system that establishes clear, measurable goals for energy performance, end users of industrial refrigeration facilities can realize a significant reduction in energy consumption, […]

Little Details Add Up

BY KEM RUSSELL When big things happen they really draw our attention, but in most cases it’s the little things we miss that can result in unexpected and sometimes undesirable results. We might breeze along taking account of larger items, not realizing or taking time to think that little details can make a big difference. […]

Social Security: Claim Early and Invest Versus Delaying Receipt for Increased Benefits

The IIAR and ARF reserve investment funds are currently managed by Stifel Financial Services under the investment policy established by their respective board of directors. In this and subsequent issues of the Condenser, you’ll find a “financial tech tips” article from the firm on this page. Members of IIAR may use the financial services of […]

Using the Right Type of Monitor for CO2

he use of CO2 is becoming common in the industrial refrigeration industry, especially with cascade refrigeration systems. But many people are not as familiar with CO2 as they are with ammonia, some believing that the only respiratory issue with CO2 is that it is an inert gas like nitrogen or argon. While most people are […]

Appeals Court Denies Rehearing of Ruling Against EPA Regulation of HFCs

On January 26, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied petitions requesting a rehearing by the full court of a decision finding that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had exceeded its authority by regulating the use of HFCs through the Significant New Alternatives Policy program (SNAP). The petitions, […]

Energy Performance of Low Charge, Central Type, Dual Stage NH3 Refrigeration Systems in Practice

STEFAN S. JENSEN, B.SC.ENG. FIEAUST, CPENG, NER, RPEQ, F.AIRAH SCANTEC REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGIES PTY. LTD.; BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA ABSTRACT Development of low charge NH3 refrigeration systems is taking place throughout the world for various applications, predominantly for refrigerated storage and packaged solutions to chill liquids and/or condition refrigerated spaces. These developments are initiated by a global […]

President’s Message by Dave Rule

This month you’ll be hearing from IIAR about one of our most important annual activities, our membership renewal drive. As an IIAR member, we all depend on you to take that essential first step to participate in the activism and advocacy of our industry, by keeping your membership current. I’d like to use my column […]

Chairman’s Message by Mike Lynch

As your new Chairman, my first priority this year is to extend a warm welcome to all our new IIAR members. You are joining a community passionate about its work. Your participation and spirit of volunteer leadership is essential in creating the growth and change that will help our natural refrigeration industry meet the new […]

UNLOCKING AMMONIA

DECIPHERING THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE mmonia refrigeration systems are becoming more compact, portable and simpler to install, widening the potential for adoption of ammonia, carbon dioxide and other natural refrigerants in previously untapped industries. The evolution of low-charge and package ammonia systems, which means they no longer require a complex installation for some end-user facilities, […]

With New Technology, Buying Decisions Hinge on Efficiency

he focus on efficiency and more important in every arena, and a growing number of companies are prioritizing the potential for long-term efficiency gains, reduced labor costs and streamlined maintenance – over initial cost – when designing their facilities. “There is no magic bullet. It takes a lot of magic bullets,” said Pete Lepschat, director […]

Industrial Refrigerant Apprenticeship Program Nears Completion

 consortium of agencies including RETA, IIAR, ARF, the Global Cold Chain Alliance, FASTPORT and Lanier Technical College has been working diligently to build the Industrial Refrigerant Apprenticeship Program and to get it up and running with the U.S. Department of Labor. It is with great pleasure that we announce that the process is nearly complete. […]

ARF Message

High School Program Attracts Kids to Refrigeration In an effort to attract more young people to the industrial refrigeration industry using natural refrigerants, a high school in Azle, Texas, is taking a novel approach. By offering a fully dedicated ammonia refrigeration class, the school gives students unprecedented hands-on training, meaningful work experience and even industry […]

Documenting RAGAGEP

BY PETER JORDAN, MBD RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. he Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (29 CFR 1910.119) was issued as a final rule in 1992. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Management Program (RM Program) regulation (40 CFR 68.79) was issued as a final rule in 1994. Since both these regulations […]

Standards Committee Focuses on CO2

ne of the main focuses this year for the Standards Committee has been the development of a CO2 standard. As this refrigerant is growing in popularity, it’s becoming clear the industry needs guidance on its development, deployment and safety measures. John Collins, the CO2 safety standard taskforce leader and Industrial Sales Manager for manufacturer, Zero […]

International Committee Expands Outreach

Over the past year and a half, IIAR’s International Committee has established working chapters in several Latin American countries and has its sights set on more countries across the region and the world. Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America, Costa Rica and Mexico now all have active IIAR chapters, and the group is taking […]

Marketing Committee’s Report Quantifies Member Data

his year the IIAR Marketing Committee released its first State of the Industry report. The objective of the report was to compile various data sets and information about the industry and present it to IIAR members in an easily digestible way to share valuable information. “Our goal this year was to initiate the report for […]

How much is in the system?

BY KEM RUSSELL Anyone who has an ammonia system should know how much ammonia is in the system. There are at least a couple of important reasons. One reason is compliance with federal safety and risk-management regulations. If the system is over the threshold quantity of 10,000 pounds, then it is subject to both the […]

Putting more Action in your Emergency Action Plan

n an emergency situation, every minute counts, and having a plan in place allows first responders and public safety officials to contain most threats before they grow into an unmanageable problem. During the Las Vegas Safety Day event, the Ammonia Safety and Training Institute, the Las Vegas Hazmat Team and others, including Michael Winburn, vice […]

IIAR Advances Regulatory Reform Proposals

President Trump has made regulatory reform a high priority for his administration. Trump has signed several executive orders on regulatory reform and task forces have been established at regulatory agencies to identify opportunities for regulatory relief. With the positive climate for regulatory reform, IIAR has been exploring regulatory changes that would provide regulatory relief while […]

IIAR Remembers: Jim Wright

A longtime member of IIAR, two-term board member, friend and mentor to many in industrial refrigeration, Jim Wright was known for his tireless passion for a job well done, and his warm, generous spirit, which he shared freely with friends and colleagues. Highly regarded in the industry, Wright’s friends and colleagues say he was one […]

Best Practices in Managing an OSHA NEP or EPA GDC Inspection

EDWARD JOHNSON, CARO, SENIOR EHS RISK ENGINEERING MANAGER DEAN FOODS ABSTRACT This paper gives ammonia refrigeration professionals guidance on Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) National Emphasis Program (NEP) or United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) General Duty Clause (GDC) inspections and the regulations and documents that govern them. Specifically, the paper discusses the following […]

President’s Message by Dave Rule

Business as usual is a term that has never applied well to industrial refrigeration. Our economic sector is constantly changing to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving supply chain, as we examine in this month’s cover story. Regulatory change, new technology and equipment development has propelled us into ever broader markets and applications for […]

Chairman’s Message by Mike Lynch

In this issue of the Condenser, you’ll find several stories focused on new regulatory changes, code updates and the work of our many IIAR committees to keep the standards, education, and outreach efforts of our industry current and relevant. These last three things: standards, education, and outreach, are perhaps the most important activities IIAR members […]

FRESH &Fast: HOW NEW CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS HAVE STOKED RECORD COLD STORAGE DEMAND

The global need for cold storage space is increasing dramatically, driven by growth in the world’s population, increased varieties of perishable commodities and consumer demand for fresh produce year-round rather than just when it is in season. ccupancy rates at cold-storage facilities are at an all-time high, said Corey Rosenbusch, president of the Global Cold […]

IIAR Standards Suite Gets Update

IAR is working on changes to many of IIAR’s suite of standards. In a conversation with the Condenser, Standards Committee Chair Bob Czarnecki discussed each individual standard, providing detailed updates on the work being done. Here, the changes under consideration are outlined, organized by standard. IIAR-2 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD FOR SAFE DESIGN OF CLOSED-CIRCUIT AMMONIA […]

Trade Groups, Lawmakers Speak Out in Support of the Kigali Amendment

Trade Groups, Lawmakers Speak Out in Support of the Kigali Amendment Several groups are focusing on advancing the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which calls for a worldwide phase-down in the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons. The Kigali amendment, if ratified, establishes multiple legally binding schedules for participating countries to cap and phase-down the […]

Federal, State Programs Open Opportunity for Natural Refrigerants

nterest in natural refrigerants is continuing to increase, and several federal and state projects, led in particular by California legislation and agencies, are investing significant amounts of money into research and development programs designed to advance technology that could increase natural refrigerant use. INVESTING ON A NATIONAL LEVEL At the federal level, the Department of […]

IIAR Updates PSM/RMP

roject safety management and risk management plans are the subject of a recent IIAR publication update. IIAR has updated its PSM/ RMP manual, a compilation of all relevant Occupational Health and Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency requirements that would concern end users of ammonia refrigeration systems over 10,000 pounds. Drafted in 2011, the manual […]

Latin American Countries Draft IIAR-Informed National Standards

he refrigeration industry in Latin America is critical to the regional and global economy, and thanks to an increasing awareness of environmental issues, government leaders are partnering with local chapters of IIAR to use their standards in drafting national regulations for the industry. Yesenia Rector, the international director at IIAR, said IIAR’s relevance in Latin […]

Market-Driven Energy Efficiency

uilding a facility and then retrotting it to be more energy efficient has been a practice used in the refrigeration industry for years; however, some forwardthinking companies are planning for efficient facilities from the start, and as costs come down, more organizations are willing to spend more upfront to see returns in the long-term. However, […]

Estate Planning: Key Documents You Need

The IIAR and ARF reserve investment funds are currently managed by Stifel Financial Services under the investment policy established by their respective board of directors. In this and subsequent issues of the Condenser, you’ll find a “financial tech tips” article from the firm on this page. Members of IIAR may use the financial services of […]