Safety and Regulation

Safety and code compliance are at the forefront of every design and the topic can be complicated.  Ammonia refrigeration, in particular, can be challenging for facilities, owners and regulators. We encourage our employees to participate in code and standard development throughout the refrigeration industry and have built a significant knowledge base to help navigate the Canadian regulatory environment.

Ammonia Refrigeration

Owners of ammonia refrigeration systems are often required to implement and maintain additional safety measures. We offer a number of services directly related to ammonia refrigeration systems including consulting for Hazard assessments, SOP Developments, HAZOPs, emergency planning, dispersion analysis, and mechanical integrity audits.  We also provide engineering review and design for the following safety related systems:

  • Machine room ventilation
  • Over-pressure and relief valve systems
  • Ammonia leak detection and emergency shut-down controls.

Mechanical Integrity

The cornerstone of our safety service is the third-party mechanical integrity audit. It was designed to help owners and operators identify risks so that they can to ensure safe operation of their facilities and refrigeration plants. A mechanical integrity audit usually involves a number of days on-site at a facility inspecting both the equipment and piping in order to identify those areas that are at risk of failing or that would be good candidates for additional testing. A thorough audit report including individually referenced issues is provided to our clients so that they can track work that is completed. We are also able to provide up to date and accurate P&ID drawings of any facility.

While it can be a lot of work to go through a facility, having updated drawings is not only a code requirement but it makes working at the facility safer.

Code Consulting

All refrigerants pose a risk to the public and safety codes and standards have been developed in order to help prevent incidents. We are very familiar with these codes and standards and offer consulting services for HVAC engineers, manufacturers, contractors, government entities and owners.

Post-Incident Investigation

In addition to regulatory reporting requirements, there is an opportunity available in gaining an understanding of near-misses and accidents.  This understanding helps prevent similar incidents in the future and makes your plant and facility safer.

  • Investigations
  • Refrigerant charge
  • Ammonia leak rates
  • Dispersion analysis
  • Ammonia concentration calculations
  • Root cause and contributing factors