I was recently interviewed by Doug Bonderud of GoodWay of Just Venting Blog Website.  After over five years of publishing the Just Venting blog they noticed the topic “ammonia as a refrigerant” has been hugely popular year after year. So it stands to reason our first video podcast would revolve around this very topic.

Click Here to listen to the podcast and discussion.

Garden City Ammonia Program is proud to announce they will be in Anchorage, Alaska in October to host an Ammonia BootCamp Seminar.

This will be a 7 day intensive Ammonia Operator I & II combined.  Seating is limited so make preparations today.  Course dates are October 22-28, 2014

Course Syllabus

Registration

Other Course Dates

ATMOsphere America was June of 2014 – 

This was the 3rd session and this year took place in San Francisco, CA.

It is a meeting place for industry experts to discuss natural refrigerant trends, the latest technologies and regulatory issues in North America! Taking place for the first time in San Francisco on June 18-19, 2014, this event targets around 250 decision makers including leading retailers, industrial end users, component and system suppliers, training institutes, associations and more.

Presentation topics will focus on regulation, standards and utilities, as well as on commercial and industrial refrigeration applications with input from key government representatives, end users (retailers, consumer brands, cold storage) as well as technology providers.

New features for the 2014 edition include more networking opportunities, optional site visits and several new technology case study sessions on heat pumps and HVAC.

[youtube width=”480″ height=”320″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4529l4BxUE[/youtube]

Derek Hamilton of Star Refrigeration announce their move to manufactureing and contracting in the US for their specialized low charge ammonia systems.

[youtube width=”480″ height=”320″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RlwFQKd7x8[/youtube]

GCAP believes this a great event as we see more and more traditionally built commercial refrigeration systems moving to natural refrigerants not only in America but across the world.

Click here to look at some of the presentations.

Recently GCAP opened up a survey for anyone in the industrial refrigeration field to answer.  As of today date we have had over 300 respondents.  If you would like to answer the survey please click here.

It is just a simple 7 questions such as title, experience, and job duties beside ammonia refrigeration in the plant.  What was an overwhelming response that many people in the plant do not just do refrigeration, but where many different hats in today plants that most people call utility technicians and engineers.

To see the results please click this link Ammonia Refrigeration Experience.

The 6th Annual Region 7 Ammonia Awareness Day was a great success.  Thanks for all the support of the sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees.  Each year the event gets bigger, different topics presented and benefits anybody in the realm of safety, ammonia, or refrigeration.  We look forward to next years event.  Over 225 people attended the event and had 29 exhibitors.

The Jose Mata Video was presented

Brian EuDaly of Calibrations Technology Inc. spoke on
“Ammonia Detection Systems – Codes and Design Specifications!“

Terry Chapp of Danfoss spoke on “Control Valves and Function“

Dick Bailey of OSHA Region 7 gave us the 2014 Region 7 OSHA NEP Update

Jodi Harper of EPA Region 7 gave us the 2013 – 2014 Region 7 EPA Update

RMP Update Question to EPA

Understanding Industrial Refrigeration from the Inside Out

June 2, 2014 GCAP revealed their new Ammonia Operator I Book titled “Understanding Industrial Refrigeration from the Inside Out“.  Authors Randy Williams, and Jeremy Williams

This is a 15 Chapter text of what an operator/technician needs to knows learning how to the see the refrigeration from the inside out.  The book has been copyrighted, and filed with the Library of Congress for a specific ISBN number.  If you have taken GCAP PSM/RMP course and seen the quality of that book, this will be of equal.  For a full detailed outline of the book Click Here.

• Chapter 1: Getting Started

• Chapter 2: Process Safety Management

• Chapter 3: What You Need To Know About Ammonia

• Chapter 4: Basic Electricity

• Chapter 5: Foundation

• Chapter 6: Heat Transfer

• Chapter 7: Seeing Refrigeration From The Inside Out

• Chapter 8: Four Steps Of Refrigeration

• Chapter 9: Liquid Feeds

• Chapter 10: Compressor Applications

• Chapter 11: Condensers

• Chapter 12: Different Systems

• Chapter 13: Practice Exam

• Chapter 14: Common Acronyms and Definitions

• Chapter 15: Supplement Information

Jose Mata arrived to his job on what he thought would be a normal day. He never could have guessed the events that would unfold. As he  worked a condenser nearby him failed and released almost 400 pounds of anhydrous ammonia completely engulfing his body in a dense gas cloud. He had only seconds to make the decisions that would save his life. Decisions he learned from years of training. This is a story you will never forget!

[youtube width=”480″ height=”320″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI0ZW156N88[/youtube]

Jose Mata’s story is a heart rending reality of just how quickly life can change. Having trained co-workers on-site and available to respond with immediate first aid care may have very well saved his life. These are true acts of heroism. The message of safety and the importance of training have never been more real. I’m inspired by the courage and bravery that Jose demonstrated while fighting these injuries and being strong for his family; and for allowing me (and so many others) the opportunity to learn and grow from his experiences.

Click here to order the video from ASTI

or contact

Gary Smith

President & CEO ASTI

831.288.0576 Office Line

Large Ammonia Release Training Video

[youtube width=”480″ height=”320″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABjGgRKCoGA[/youtube]

A few years back this footage was filmed at an ASTI 32 Hours class out in California.  It is a great seminar with hands-on live scenarios for HAZMAT incidents involving Anhydrous Ammonia.

Click here for this years schedule and agenda for the 32 hour

New discussion group for

Ammonia Refrigeration Operators

within Facebook.

Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Training is what this group is designed for. Ammonia Safety is number one priority. Having problems or questions about ammonia, refrigeration, job references, codes or standards, RAGAGEP, PSM/RMP, and NEP please join.

For other discussion groups and online training resources click here.

Garden City Ammonia Program
GCAP
2405 E Fulton Plz
Garden City, KS 67846
620-271-0037

www.AmmoniaTraining.com
www.BoilerLicense.com
www.GcapCoolCast.com
www.ChemNEP.com
www.CO2Training.com
www.GCAPTraining.com

Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association (RETA) is an organization that is dedicated to help with the education of the Ammonia refrigeration industry.  Their Mission Statement: to enhance the professional development of industrial refrigeration operating and technical engineers shows the commitment and dedication to success they are trying to achieve.

RETA offers many course study materials to help operators to self-educate themselves but also offer a couple ANSI accredited tests known as the CARO Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator, and the CIRO Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator certifications.

There are several goals going along with these certification: to establish a nationally recognized standard of experience, education and training for refrigeration plant operators and supervisors, assist the refrigeration industry in developing and recognizing qualified plant operators and supervisors, encourage technical training and education as well as practical experience, promote safety, and increase public recognition of skills needed in the industrial refrigeration field.

It is extremely important that you just don’t study ready books to get knowledge o pass they exam, it is recommended to also study the supplemental packages before taking the exam.

CARO Certification

• No Experience Required
• Entry Level exam
• 110 Questions multiple choice
• 3 hour time limit
• Supplement Package
• 70% or higher to pass

The recommended study material to pass is Industrial Refrigeration 1 and Industrial Refrigeration IV from RETA.  GCAP’s Operator 1 course covers all this material and more and will also incorporate the practical “hands on experience” to enhance the learning experience.  If an individual can pass GCAP’s Operator I course and exam, they have a high probability they can pass the RETA CARO exam.  Since GCAP teaches refrigeration and this is a refrigeration exam the knowledge retained from our course greatly enhances your chances of passing this test.  As always you as an operator have to put forth the effort to apply yourself and utilize the knowledge.

CIRO Certification

• Minimum 2 years of experience
• 134 Questions multiple choice
• 3 hour time limit
• 70% or higher to pass
• Operators Exam
• Supplemental Package 1
• Supplemental Package 2

RETA recommends 7 different refrigeration materials to attempt this test although passing these courses does not guarantee a passing score.  GCAP uses the Industrial Refrigeration II course in our Operator II training and this second course is used in preparation for operators to attempt the CIRO exam.  GCAP also uses the CIRO supplement from RETA’s website during this course we approach this supplement as a training tool for Operators of any experience to apply the skills required to evaluate a refrigeration system from an analytical standpoint as well as visualize the system in their minds from the information provided.  The CIRO exam is the most successful attempt to date to gauge an operator’s knowledge of refrigeration theory and basis from real life scenarios.  Every Operator II it is a joy to see operators understand the importance of round sheets in their facilities, accuracy and evaluation of these rounds are windows to our system.  There are calculations of HP and KW that are figured and although the average operator will not calculate these in their plant it shows them how important a slightly abnormal pressure increase can affect energy consumption.  It is also a great gauge on an operator’s ability to find the correct information based on the questions posed.  This skill is vital to management since they are relying many times on operators doing exactly that in their facility.

From the GCAP Operator II course perspective not only are you seeing this on paper you can see the reactions in our lab as “YOU” operate our systems.  In the second course you are given the procedure to operate the system and you balance the system based on heat loads in the lab.  Many of the scenarios from the two stage, DX and Flooded systems will happen as your run our lab equipment allowing you the opportunity to make the proper adjustments to solve the issue should it arise. GCAP believes that the combination of theory and lab training has helped us enable operators the best possible single training environment to successfully pass the CIRO certification exam.

Garden City Ammonia Program
620.271.0037
ammonia@pld.com
www.AmmoniaTraining.com