TABLE OF CONTENTS Of all the facets in the design and operation of refrigeration facilities, none may be more critical than safety. Providing the required refrigeration capacity at low energy costs may affect the profit of a business, but energy efficiency only becomes a factor after safe operation is ensured. The primary motivation for a safe plant is to protect people, including employees and the neighboring public. In addition, accidents often result in loss or damage to stored products as well as requiring repairs all of which may be costly.
The emphasis on safety impacts the refrigeration plant in three major categories:
Design
Construction and installation
Operation
A fundamental responsibility of the engineer in the design of the facility is to observe pertinent safety codes. Most code requirements are written to assist in achieving a safe plant. The designer is also compelled to conform to codes for reasons of professional liability. A fundamental objective of the designer is to specify a system that is efficient and meets the capacity and temperature requirements of the client. Then, beyond obeying the stipulations of the codes, the designer should choose components and arrange the equipment for convenient access for service and maintenance. One provision that enhances maintenance is the effective monitoring of the equipment, so proper instrumentation, as will be discussed in Chapter 14, should be planned in the design stage.
Following design, another phase in the life of a refrigeration plant is its construction and installation,
