The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), in collaboration with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has published its first CO2 Safety Standard for Close-Circuit Carbon Dioxide Refrigeration Systems.
The new standard specifies minimum requirements for the safe design, safe installation, startup, inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of closed-circuit CO2 (R744) refrigeration systems, and any modifications or additions to an existing system.
The standard represents a departure from IIAR’s traditional focus on ammonia refrigeration, as it broadens its missions to include all natural refrigerants. It has been developed for both commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. IIAR standards also “represent industry consensus and are subject to a rigorous public review process,” the organization said in an announcement email.
The IIAR safety standard is aimed at those who design, install, start-up, and inspect, test, and maintain stationary closed-circuit CO2 refrigeration systems. It will supplement existing general refrigeration standards issued by IIAR and other organizations such as ASHRAE, ASME, and ANSI. It is not intended to supplant existing safety codes, such as the model, mechanical or fire codes.
The standard consists of six parts:
- General: Purpose, scope and definitions
- Design: Considerations Affecting Construction
- Installation
- Startup of New Systems and Additions/Modifications to Existing Systems
- Inspection, Testing & Maintenance
- Appendices
The standard can be purchased on the IIAR website here.
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