HCG Associates, a provider of process safety management (PSM) compliance assistance, completed the acquisition of Protexus. Houston-based Protexus is a regional provider of PSM solutions and mechanical integrity services for anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems, primarily in the South and Midwest. 

Developed to enhance the safety, reliability, effectiveness and longevity of insulated piping and vessels, IIAR released Guideline for Insulation on Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. The guide focuses on the appropriate steps in installing insulation systems for cold piping and equipment on new and existing ammonia refrigeration systems.

A virtual course focused on ammonia refrigeration system reliability is being offered via a collaboration between the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium and the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration. “Fundamentals of Mechanical Integrity for Ammonia Refrigeration,” a five-day course offered on May 17-21, provides in-depth insights into mechanical integrity, one of the 14 elements included in OSHA’s process safety management program.

The Ammonia Refrigeration Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, is accepting applications for its 2021 Founders Engineering Scholarship. 

Due to the extended duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration canceled the face-to-face portion of its 2021 Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo. The event will be held online in June 2021.

A course focusing on industrial refrigeration as practiced in food freezing and in other low temperature applications will be presented in a virtual format due to COVID-19. Hosted by the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, the 54th industrial refrigeration workshop will be held virtually on March 8-18.

IIAR will host a webinar February 17 at 11:00 a.m. (EST) that will examine the differences between the requirements of OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard and those of EPA’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule for ammonia refrigeration systems.

A course focused on ANSI/IIAR 9-2020, the Standard for Minimum System Safety Requirements for Existing Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems, will help attendees learn how to apply those requirements to a safely operated refrigeration system. 

Fürth-based Wolf ButterBack KG is a specialist in Danish pastries, which the company produces for bakeries. The bakeries receive the pastries frozen and ready-to-bake in-house to sell to their customers.

Two online ammonia refrigeration courses in November provide opportunities to gain knowledge while avoiding travel. Both are part of the Process Safety Management Professional certificate program offered jointly by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Engineering Professional Development and the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC).