Population data continues to come up during EPA Risk Management Program inspections and technical discussions, specifically the use of 2010 Decennial Census population data in off-site consequence analyses. The issue is simple: that data is over a decade old. Why this matters Population counts directly drive the number of people potentially impacted in both worst-case and alternative release scenarios. If that input is outdated, the output is also outdated, regardless of how solid the release...

As the industrial refrigeration industry continues to evolve, so do the standards that govern safe system operation and emergency response. One question that continues to surface among facility owners, engineers, and contractors is whether Field Test Pressure  must be included on a machinery room placard. Recent updates to IIAR standards have brought clarity to this topic—and also corrected common misconceptions. At Macha PSM, our engineering team frequently receives requests for guidance on...

An ammonia refrigeration system operates in two main sections, the high side and the low side. Understanding where one begins and where one ends is key to understanding P&IDs, troubleshooting, and maintaining the system. The primary difference between the two sides is energy and pressure. The high side contains ammonia at higher pressure and higher temperature, as the name suggests, while the low side operates at lower pressure and temperature. The High Side The high side starts at the...