AMMONIA PLANTROOM CHECKLIST

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.