NOTICE – Section 39: Operating Engineers Regulation

The ORFA was recently advised by a member of a TSSA Order for their registered refrigeration plant safe operation under section 39 subsection 5 clauses a & b. The order required the owner to install an “Audible” alarm to sound when the compressors shutdown on either low oil or due to high head pressure (either limit). Concern was raised by the member that Section 39 states “an audible and visual alarm shall activate when any guarded control is activated” and that in this case, the compressors were identified, but that the order could include guarded controls on the condenser, water, brine pumps, etc. 

The ORFA would like to take this opportunity to remind arena refrigeration plant owners that as it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the Operating Engineers Regulation (OER) is complied with, that all registered guarded plants review Section 39 to ensure compliance.

Section 39: Operating Engineers Regulation

Safety Devices

Fail safe devices

39. (1) The user of a boiler in a guarded high pressure steam or power plant, a guarded low pressure steam or power plant, a guarded high temperature water or power plant, a guarded high or low pressure low water volume steam or power plant, a guarded low temperature water or power plant shall provide the boiler with fail-safe devices, including,

(a) a high pressure limiting device on the steam boiler or a high temperature limiting device on the hot water boiler, separate from any other device that controls the pressure or temperature, as the case may be;

(b) a low water level limiting device separate from any other device that controls the feedwater supply to the steam boiler;

(c) a high water level limiting device separate from any other device that controls the feedwater supply to the steam boiler; and

(d) a pre-purge and flame failure device that will automatically prevent the supply of fuel to the boiler when an abnormal condition occurs during the boiler’s operation. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (1).

(2) The user of a steam engine or turbine in a guarded steam-powered plant shall provide the engine or turbine with a device to automatically cut off the supply of steam when the engine or turbine exceeds its maximum safe speed and other safety devices as necessary in the interests of safe operation. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (2).

(3) The user of a compressor in a guarded compressor plant shall provide the compressor with protective devices that will automatically prevent the supply of energy to the prime mover of the compressor when an abnormal condition occurs during the compressor’s operation, including,

(a) a high pressure limiting device in the compressor discharge line;

(b) a high temperature limiting device in the compressor discharge line;

(c) a high temperature limiting device in the cooling-water discharge line; and

(d) a low pressure limiting device in the lubricating oil system. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (3).

(4) The user of a compressor in a guarded refrigeration plant shall provide the compressor with protective devices that will automatically prevent the supply of energy to the prime mover of the compressor when an abnormal condition occurs during the compressor’s operation, including,

(a) a high pressure limiting device in the compressor discharge line;

(b) a high liquid level limiting device on the evaporator or the suction drum of the compressor or, in absence of a flooded evaporator, a device or assembly that will provide equal compressor protection from the liquid refrigerant and or leakage of secondary coolant liquid;

(c) for Group B2 refrigerants, a high temperature limiting device in the cooling-water discharge line or high oil temperature limiting device; and

(d) for Group A1, A2 refrigerants, a low flow limiting device in the compressor and condenser coolant circuit if cooled by liquid;

(e) a low pressure limiting device in the lubricating oil system. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (4).

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the user of a guarded plant referred to in sections 23 and 24 shall provide the plant with an audible and visual alarm system that will,

(a) ensure that the operating engineer or operator is warned when any abnormal or unsafe condition for which a protective device is prescribed in subsections (1) to (4) occurs; and

(b) extend to any part of the premises on which the plant is situated and in which the operating engineer or operator may be present while in charge of the plant. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (5).

(6) Where the alarm system is not under local control, the user shall ensure that the alarm system actuates an electronic paging device. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (6).

(7) Each protective device prescribed in subsections (1) to (5) shall,

(a) not be capable of automatically restarting the plant; and

(b) maintain the visual warning until the abnormal or unsafe condition is rectified. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (7).

(8) The operating engineer or operator in charge of a guarded boiler, guarded steam prime mover, guarded compressor or guarded refrigeration compressor, as the case may be, shall ensure that the safety valves and other fittings, prescribed in Ontario Regulation 220/01 (Boilers and Pressure Vessels) are in safe working condition. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (8).

(9) The user of a guarded plant shall ensure that all fail safe protective devices are independent of other control systems, are hard wired, regularly tested under operating conditions and calibrated as required, and that the results of the tests are logged. O. Reg. 219/01, s. 39 (9).