Stellar has broken ground on an expansion to Freshpet’s manufacturing facility in Ennis, Texas. The company will construct a 200,000 ft² addition to the Freshpet Kitchen. The refrigerated pet food company intends to increase its production capacity with the additional space. 

IIAR has received notice from the EPA and several end-users that one area of their focus is to determine whether facilities using hazardous chemicals have conducted a hazard analysis.

Northwest Technical Institute expects to complete the expansion of its ammonia and refrigeration training facility in Springdale, Ark., by July and start classes in the fall. Construction of the building is complete, according to a report, and crews from Multi-Craft Contractors are connecting utility services to the building. The ammonia laboratory and related systems also are being refurbished and installed.

The process safety management professional (PSMP) certificate program will allow those completing the program to demonstrate they have acquired the skills and knowledge required to successfully implement and continuously improve their process safety management (PSM) and risk management plan (RMP) programs.

Rosina Food Products Inc., a manufacturer of frozen Italian specialty foods, opened a new meat processing facility in West Seneca, N.Y. The $73.2 million facility was designed and constructed by Stellar.

ANSI/IIAR 3-2022, a safety standard to ensure the product integrity of ammonia refrigeration valves and strainers, has been published. In accordance with IIAR and ANSI requirements, the standard was reviewed and revised for periodic maintenance.

With no ozone depletion potential and no global warming potential, ammonia is environmentally friendly as well as an efficient choice for refrigeration.

An ice producer in New Bedford, Mass., agreed to a $170,000 settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency for breaches of safety regulations in the use of its ammonia refrigeration system.

Corrosion under insulation is the primary damage mechanism that affects the integrity of ammonia piping. A proactive approach to maintaining an ammonia system will help aovid factors that are catalysts for corrosion under insulation.

Mechanical integrity, or MI, is a significant part of the 14 elements included in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s process safety management (PSM) program. An online course will explore the “Fundamentals of Mechanical Integrity for Ammonia Refrigeration Systems” on June 6-10.