Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    New York
    Age
    53
    Posts
    94
    Rep Power
    16

    Ammonia Emergency Control Box



    I was reading an article in the "Condenser" (a magazine by IIAR) about the code change for these control boxes. I was wondering if anyone is still installing them and general opinions about the value of having one on a system.



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    5,326
    Rep Power
    25

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    I seem to remember Chicago having a requirement for this but they were called something like a fireman's dump station at one time, or something like that.

    The local codes are what you have to follow. Not every city or county has the same safety codes required. It depends on how current the politicians are with amending old rules and regulations.

    I think these boxes are a holdover of the old days. Much like the emergency water tanks for absorbing ammonia.

    But, it all depends on the local codes...
    If all else fails, ask for help.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    USA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    867
    Rep Power
    26

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    My locale requires the boxes and tanks for the relief valves to dump into.
    I was in Alaska some time ago and a fireman asked me which valves to turn in a emergency. With all the valves in the box he had no chance of getting it right.
    They sound good and a intelligent operator might make use of them. But an untrained individual would not have the ability to make the correct decisions.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Somerset
    Age
    69
    Posts
    4,758
    Rep Power
    46

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    Quote Originally Posted by NH3LVR View Post
    My locale requires the boxes and tanks for the relief valves to dump into.
    I was in Alaska some time ago and a fireman asked me which valves to turn in a emergency. With all the valves in the box he had no chance of getting it right.
    They sound good and a intelligent operator might make use of them. But an untrained individual would not have the ability to make the correct decisions.

    Agood point about the valve issue NH3LVR.
    I was once sent a "Company Directive" from the Health and Safety's Head of Department.

    Stating that "We" the Company Site Engineers were to idendify the Plant's Main
    Isolation Valves.
    So that whenever the Emergency Services had to attend site they knew which Valves to shut.

    I Politely asked (which is unusual for me!) " Which one of the 70 Isolation Valves they would like me to Identfy?"

    Cheers Grizzly

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    5,326
    Rep Power
    25

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    Quote Originally Posted by Grizzly
    Agood point about the valve issue NH3LVR.
    I was once sent a "Company Directive" from the Health and Safety's Head of Department.

    Stating that "We" the Company Site Engineers were to identify the Plant's Main
    Isolation Valves.
    So that whenever the Emergency Services had to attend site they knew which Valves to shut.

    I Politely asked (which is unusual for me!) " Which one of the 70 Isolation Valves they would like me to Identify?"

    Cheers Grizzly
    This begs another question too....

    Why not provide periodic training to the local emergency services so that when something does happen, they are more familiar with the valve arrangements and operation?

    Nothing like a good emergency to have something else go wrong.
    If all else fails, ask for help.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    New York
    Age
    53
    Posts
    94
    Rep Power
    16

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    What I don't like is these boxes is that they are designed to make a quick dump of the system in case of a fire, but they are mounted to the wall of the room they are designed to protect. No fireman in his right mind is going to walk up to an unfamiliar box and turn valves that he doesn't know what they do next to a burning building. I don't blame them either. I know what valves to turn and I would not do it.

  7. #7
    Me2Mike's Avatar
    Me2Mike Guest

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    Hello fell Nh3 Engineers, My facility has a diffusion fire dump system we have been told by our sewage regulating agency that we are not permitted to use the device that only the Fire Dept can use the device. The local fFre agency tells us they are not permitted to operate the dump system. Obviously
    in a dire emergency it would be used and fines paid after the fact.
    Nh3 system has been in continuous operation other than power failure since 1974....

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    5,326
    Rep Power
    25

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    Quote Originally Posted by Me2Mike
    ...we have been told by our sewage regulating agency that we are not permitted to use the device that only the Fire Dept can use the device. The local fFre agency tells us they are not permitted to operate the dump system.
    Now doesn't this make you ask the question: Why do we need it, if no one can use it?
    Last edited by US Iceman; 21-07-2008 at 04:02 PM. Reason: text edit
    If all else fails, ask for help.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    nc
    Age
    54
    Posts
    43
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: Ammonia Emergency Control Box

    My plant has an emergency control panel, no electronics, just valves. My plant was built two years ago, so it is relatively new! It is located in North Carolina, USA!
    The control panel has a placard that states " For fire department use only"! So if caught in a situation that would require that kind of action, I would not arbitrarily start turning valves! I would require a go ahead from someone a little higher in the food chain! In that case it would probably be too late any way! Thank you for bringing this up! I am going to ask the plant engineer to schedule some training for our HAZMAT team and try to get the fire department involved!

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 21
    Last Post: 05-07-2008, 10:48 AM
  2. Ammonia refrigerator control by inverter
    By torranin in forum Industrial
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-05-2008, 06:00 PM
  3. Replies: 21
    Last Post: 03-02-2008, 06:10 PM
  4. Control scenario
    By Mike Hopkins in forum Technical Discussions
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 14-09-2007, 11:25 AM
  5. New Capacity Control Solution
    By embrown in forum New Technologies
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 30-12-2003, 02:33 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •