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I Ammonia
31 SAFETY IN NEW ENGLAND ICE RINKS
Recommendations for Ice Rink Operators with Ammonia Refrigeration Systems
U.S. EPA New England has developed this document to assist ice rink owners and operators with
ammonia refrigeration systems in communicating effectively with their employees, contractors,
vendors, and customers about ammonia refrigeration safety. Helping facilities to minimize the risk of
potential chemical releases, such as an accidental release of ammonia at a refrigeration facility, is a
national priority for U.S. EPA.
What is ammonia?
Anhydrous ammonia is a toxic
gas recognizable by its pungent
odor. Anhydrous ammonia
compressed into a liquid form is
commonly used in mechanical
refrigeration systems for indoor
ice rinks arid other facilities. It
becomes a gas when released
into the ambient air.
How does ammonia
relate to ice rinks?
Ammonia refrigeration
is an economically and
environmentally efficient
option for ice rinks and other
refrigeration facilities. Of the
many types of refrigeration
systems used in the U.S.,
ammonia is one of the most
energy-efficient. Unlike some
refrigerants, ammonia does not
cause damage to the ozone layer.
Some ice rink facilities that
use R-22 refrigeration systems
are switching to ammonia.
In 2020, the U.S. will cease
production and import of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) such
as R-22 (also called HCFC-22) to
reduce negative impacts on the
ozone layer. This will lead to a
decrease in the supply of R-22.
What are the risks of
ammonia exposure?
While there are many benefits
to an ammonia-based
refrigeration system, there are
also potential risks to health
and safety if the ammonia is
not properly managed and
contained. When released as
a gas, ammonia is a severe
irritant to the eyes, nose, and
throat. Exposure can cause
headaches, coughing, difficulty
breathing, and impaired vision.
Prolonged exposure to high
concentrations of ammonia
can lead to asthma, blindness,
and pulmonary edema (fluid
in the lungs), which can be
fatal. Skin contact with liquid
ammonia can cause burns,
blisters, and frostbite, as well
as blindness or eye damage.
Ammonia gas can also be
flammable or explosive when
continued »
Dec 2018
EPA-901-F-18-001
Ammonia Safety in Ice Rinks 1

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released into the air at high
concentrations, which is why
it is important to have a well-
ventilated machine room.
Proper maintenance and
management of ammonia
refrigeration systems can
prevent a system failure or leak
from occurring, reducing the risk
of exposure. Ice rink staff should
also be trained to recognize
ammonia's punaent odor,
which could indicate a leak.
headache
irritated eyes
difficulty breathing
2 Ammonia Safety in Ice Rinks
What are the
requirements for
refrigeration systems
in ice rinks?
Anhydrous ammonia is an
extremely hazardous substance
regulated under the Clean Air
Act (CAA) and the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-
to-Know Act (EPCRA). CAA
Section 112(r)(1), the General
Duty Clause, requires facility
owners and operators to ensure
safe management of any
extremely hazardous chemicals
handled or stored onsite,
including ammonia. Rinks with
more than 10,000 pounds of
ammonia must prepare a Risk
Management Plan (RMP), and
can learn more at https://www.
epa.gov/rmp.
Industry codes and guidelines
help EPA and facilities
understand the standards
of care for facilities with
ammonia refrigeration systems.
The International Institute of
Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR)
and the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) have issued
guidelines and standards
for safe installation, use, and
maintenance of ammonia
refrigeration equipment
through the American National
Standards Institute (e.g.
ANSI/MAR Standard 2 and
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15,
respectively).
EPCRA requires facilities to
report information about
hazardous chemicals to
emergency planners and
responders. EPCRA Section
302 requires rinks to report the
presence of any extremely
hazardous substances
listed at 40 C.F.R. Part 355,
including ammonia, to the
state emergency response
commission. Also, Section
312 of EPCRA requires some
rinks to report annually on
the presence of chemicals in
order to aid local emergency
response planning. Ice skating
rinks and other facilities are
required to submit an annual
chemical inventory report to
the state, local emergency
planning committee, and
fire department if they have
on-site extremely hazardous
substances (EHSs), including
ammonia, or other hazardous
chemicals. The threshold
for ammonia is 500 pounds;
thresholds may vary for different
substances. Note that EPCRA's
annual chemical inventory
requirements may not apply
to municipally-owned and
operated rinks in states that do
not have an OSHA-approved
state plan to protect workers.
Facilities and operations also
must be in compliance with
applicable OSHA requirements
(such as regulations at 29
C.F.R. § 1910.111 pertaining to
the storage and handling of
anhydrous ammonia), as well
as state fire and safety codes.
Ammonia tanks must be
registered with the State under
the National Board Inspector
Code (NBIC) operated by the
National Board of Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

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"ammonia |5
for emergency repairs, safe
procedures for oil removal, and
sfart-up/shut-down procedures
for seasonal facilities. Staff
should continue to monitor and
maintain ammonia systems and
other facility equipment even
while the facility is closed for the
season.
3) Ventilation and
Detection System
All facilities utilizing an ammonia
refrigeration system should have
an ammonia detection system
installed in the machine room
that will detect an ammonia
leak and trigger an alarm and
independent ventilation system.
Ammonia Safety in Ice Rinks 3
A chiller in an ammonia refrigeration
How can you protect
your customers,
workers, arid self from
ammonia exposure?
1) Complete a Process
Hazard Review
The General Duty Clause of the
Clean Air Act requires facilities
to identify hazards which may
result from the accidental
release of ammonia or other
hazardous substances using
appropriate hazard assessment
techniques. Facility staff should
be aware of the risks and
potential impacts of ammonia
exposure, as well as the
system. Image Source: Stevens Engineers
hazards associated with their
refrigeration systems. Facilities
may use industry checklists to
conduct this hazard review,
provided they account for site-
specific conditions.
2) Maintenance
All facilities should have a
preventative maintenance
program in place for all
equipment based on the
equipment manufacturers'
recommendations and industry
standards of care. This program
will ensure and document
regular system maintenance,
routine checks for ammonia
system leaks, provisions on hand

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MAR has issued standards that
outline specific ammonia
system requirements, including
provisions for these systems.
4) Plan for Emergencies
All facilities that use an
ammonia refrigeration system
should have an emergency
plan in place. This plan should
include evacuation procedures,
locations of safety showers
and eyewash stations, phone
numbers for medical and
local emergency responders,
operating procedures for
emergency shut-down of
facilities and off-season
monitoring, and any other
pertinent information that may
be required in the case of an
ammonia leak. Emergency
phone-numbers and operating
procedures need to be publicly
posted and visible. Facilities
should report the presence of
all hazardous chemicals above
certain thresholds annually
through the State's EPCRA
reporting system to aid local
fire departments in their own
emergency response plans. In
case of an accidental release
of ammonia, immediately notify
the State, and the National
Response Center and 911 that
an incident has occurred.
For more information:
Len Wallace
wallace.len@epa.gov
Elise Simons
simons.elise@epa.gov
Online Resources:
Ammonia Refrigeration List of Key Safety Measures. EPA May 2018.
https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/safety-standards-ammonia-
refrigeration
Application of Climate-Friendly Ice Rink Technologies: Brooklyn
Park Community Activity Center. EPA July 2015. https://www.epa.
gov/sites/production/files/2015-07/documents/application_of_
climate-friendly_ice_rink_technologies_brooklyn_park_community_
activity_center.pdf
Compliance Assistance Tools and Resources for the Ammonia
Refrigeration Sector. EPA June 2017. https://www.epa.gov/
enforcement/compliance-assistance-tools-and-resources-
ammonia-refrigeration-sector
Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA)
https://www.epa.gov/epcra
Enforcement Alert: EPA Enforcement Efforts Focus on Prevention of
Chemical Accidents. EPA February 2015. https://www.epa.gov/
enforcement/enforcement-alert-epa-enforcement-efforts-focus-
prevention-chemical-accidents
Guidance for Implementation of the General Duty Clause: Clean
Air Act(CAA) Section 112(r)(1). EPA May 2000. https://www.epa.
gov/enforcement/guidance-implementation-general-duty-clause-
clea n-air-act-caa-section-112rl -may-2000
Ice Rinks and the Phaseout of HCFC-22. EPA July 2015. https://
www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/ice-rinks-and-phaseout-hcfc-22
This document is intended for regulatory guidance only, and should not be substituted for a thorough
review of existing federal regulations. Please note that state and local regulations regarding ammonia and
other toxic substances may be more stringent than federal regulations. Threshold amounts for reporting an
accidental release of ammonia vary by state. Be sure to review your state and local requirements as well
as the federal requirements discussed in this factsheet.
4 Ammonia Safety in Ice Rinks

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