Questions | Response | Comment/Action | ||
Yes | No | |||
1.0 | Refrigerant Detection System & Detectors | |||
1.01 | Are Gas Detectors installed at High Level (1) | |||
1.02 | Is there at least 1 detector at ceiling level on a grid of 10m to 20m intervals? (2) | |||
1.03 | Are the detectors above or to both sides of compressors or downwind in direction of continuously operating extract fans? (1) | |||
1.04 | If the plant room has deep ceiling beams are detectors installed between & under beams? (1) | |||
1.05 | Is there an emergency power supply, e.g. battery or UPS for the detection system? (1) | |||
1.06 | Does the detector provide a low level alarm at 500PPM (0.05%) & a high level alarm at 30,000 PPM (3%) max Detection values for older systems will probably be Low 5,000 PPM (1/2%)High 10,000 PPM (1%)(1) | If the detection system has been installed since 2000. | ||
1.07 | Does the Detector low-level alarm start the extract fans? (1) | |||
1.08 | Does the Detector low level alarm activate an alarm in a supervised area? (1) | |||
1.09 | Does the Detector low level Alarm activate an alarm local to the plant room? (1) | |||
1.10 | Does the Detector High Level Alarm start extract fans? (1) | |||
1.11 | Does the Detector High Level Alarm activate an alarm in a supervised area? (1) | |||
1.12 | Does the Detector High Level Alarm activate an alarm local to plant room? (1) | |||
1.13 | Does the Detector High Level Alarm cut all power to plant, controls & apparatus in the plant room that are not rated for use in a hazardous area? (1) | |||
1.14 | Are Sounders & Beacons fitted & operational? (1) | |||
2.0 | Ventilation | |||
2.01 | Are there plant room extract fans fitted? (1) | |||
2.02 | Is the fan motor explosion proof type (Ex), or alternatively installed outside the plant room & air stream? e.g. bifurcated fans. (1) (7) | |||
2.03 | Is there risk that the fan construction & materials shall contribute to fire or sparking? (1) (7) | |||
2.04 | Are there sufficient fans installed? (1) | Air extract of 15 air changes/hour or sized to BS EN 378-3-2000 section 5.5.3. (1) | ||
3.0 | Electrical Installation | |||
3.01 | Are there switches to disconnect all electrical circuits & apparatus in plant room, unless suitable for operation in a hazardous area? (1) | |||
3.02 | Does the refrigerant detection alarm system automatically disconnect all electrical circuits entering the plant room? (1) (7) | Apart from hazardous area circuits e.g. Ventilation Fans, Emergency Lighting & Alarm Sounders & Beacons | ||
3.03 | Is the switch room where control panels/power distribution panels are housed Positively Pressurised with a fresh air supply? (1) | Not required if there is no door direct from Switch Room to Plant Room & dividing wall is 60-minute fire rated & imperforate | ||
3.04 | Is adequate emergency lighting provided to allow operation of controls & evacuation of personnel when normal lighting fails or is disconnected? (1) | |||
3.05 | Is emergency lighting that operates after a High Level Leak hazardous area rated? (1) (7) | |||
4.0 | Plant Room | |||
4.01 | Is the area an ear protection zone? (1) | |||
4.02 | Is there a drench shower available adjacent to the plant room? (1) | |||
4.03 | Is there eyewash available adjacent to the plant room? (1) | |||
4.04 | Are there appropriate fire extinguishers in the area? (1) (7) | |||
4.05 | Is there an emergency plan posted? (1) (7) | |||
4.06 | Is there a supply of fresh water in, or near to, the plant room? (1) | |||
5.0 | DSEAR & EPS | |||
5.01 | Has the Employer implemented a suitable Risk Assessment for the risks arising from use of Ammonia? (3) (6) | |||
5.02 | Is there a Permit to Work system? (3) (6) | |||
5.03 | Does the customer have Safety Method Statements for maintenance, repair & service available? (3) (6) | |||
5.04 | Has Explosion relief been catered for? (1) (3) (4) (6) | |||
5.05 | Are Plant Rooms separated from other parts of the premises by physical fire resistant barriers? (1) (4) | |||
5.06 | Do Ammonia Vent pipes discharge to a safe place? (1) (4) (8) | |||
5.07 | Do vessels That may contain liquid ammonia have pressure relief valves? (1) (4) (7) (8) | |||
5.08 | Has the Employer carried out an assessment of all Ignition Sources within the plant room? (3) (5) | |||
5.09 | Is there safe access for emergency services for fire fighting & rescue? (3) (6) | |||
5.10 | Is there a Manual override switch to shut down equipment? (3) (6) | |||
5.11 | If Plant Room has Natural Ventilation only, is there at least 2 outside walls louvered? (3) (5) | |||
5.12 | Is plant room clear of waste than can be readily ignited or it is stored in a closed metal bin? (3) (5) | |||
5.13 | Are all doors in a physical barrier of fire resisting construction and self closing? (1) (3) (5) | |||
5.14 | If fitted glazed-viewing panels in doors confirm that they do not exceed 20% of door area? (3) (5) | |||
5.15 | Are fire walls & fire resisting structures that provide containment for leaks free of perforations & openings? (3) (5) | |||
5.16 | The employers Risk Assessment must include other areas where the Ammonia may spread? (3) | |||
5.17 | Is there a record of equipment intended to operate when a potentially explosive atmosphere is present? (3) | |||
5.18 | Are there maintenance records for the equipment? (3) | |||
5.19 | Is there a record of maintenance for equipment located outside the hazardous area but required for safety e.g. Leak Detection & it’s power supplies? (3) | |||
5.20 | Do the Plant Rooms have warning signs at entry doors? (3) | |||
5.21 | Does the Employer have an accident, incident & emergency plan? (1) (3) | |||
5.22 | Is First Aid Equipment available? (1) (3) | |||
5.23 | Are site emergency procedures displayed in a safe place? (3) | |||
5.24 | Is Equipment intended to operate after an Ammonia leak `Ex` rated – note this applies to Mechanical as well as Electrical equipment? (3) (7) | |||
5.25 | Do gas detectors with Sensors inside & controllers outside the Plant Room comply with EPS & CE mark including ATEX mark? (3) (4) (5) (7) | |||
REFERENCES
- (1) BS EN 378: 2000 Refrigerating Systems and Heat Pumps. Safety and environmental requirements.
- (2) HSE Guidance Note PM 81. Safe Management of ammonia refrigeration systems.
- (3) DSEAR, The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. (Implements
ATEX 137). Also Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L138.
- (4) DSEAR, Design of plant, equipment and workplaces, Approved Code of Practice and Guidance
L134.
- (5) DSEAR, Control and mitigation measures, Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L136.
- (6) DSEAR, Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, Approved Code of Practice and
Guidance L137.
- (7) EPS, The Equipment and Protective Systems for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
Regulations, 1996. (Implements ATEX 95).
- (8) The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000.