Ammonia Refrigeration System Safety

Characteristics of Ammonia, Fluorochemicals, Hydrocarbons

• Physical properties
• Thermodynamic properties of ammonia
• Health effects
• Flammability considerations

Practical Overview of Systems

• System types
• High-side components
• Low-side components

Safety and Your Machinery Room 

• Emergency ventilation
• Emergency showers/eyewash
• PRVs
• Other machinery room considerations

Elements for a Successful Program

• What is PSM?
• When is compliance mandatory?
• Assessing risks
• Accident prevention

EPA Risk Management Program: Achieving Compliance and Operational Safety 

• What is it?
• When is compliance mandatory? General Applicability
• Applicability of program levels
• Prevention program (program 2 and program 3)
• Management system
• Five-year accident history
• Offsite consequence analysis
• A look at ALOHA computer program
• Risk management plan (documentation requirements)
• Review and update

EPA Risk Management Plan

Registration Date/Time:
4/7/2027 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 4/7/2027  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/8/2027  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/9/2027  8:00am - 2:00pm Central Time

This in-person course uses the Canvas learning management system to provide access to instructional materials, participation certificates, and course evaluations. A UW NetID is required to log in to Canvas.

Your registration confirmation email will include step-by-step instructions for setting up your NetID and accessing the Canvas course site. Please check your spam folder if you do not see your confirmation or UW communication emails from the "@wisc.edu" address.


This course is part of the Process Safety Management Professional Certificate. Increase your knowledge and effectiveness at managing PSM/RMP programs for your ammonia refrigerated facility, while earning a recognized credential. The course can be taken individually. 

• Instructors

  Nicole O'Connor

  Assistant Area Director

  Nicole O'Connor is currently the Assistant Area Director with the Madison Area OSHA Office with expertise specializing in Industrial Hygiene. Prior to joining OSHA in 2006, Mrs. O’Connor worked as a Project Manager for an environmental, health and safety consulting firm, providing occupational safety training, industrial hygiene monitoring, safety program and policy development, compliance auditing, and environmental reporting. Mrs. O’Connor received both her Bachelor of Science - Biology, and Master of Science - Occupational Safety, from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

  Douglas Reindl

  Professor

  Douglas Reindl, PhD, PE is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a Program Director at the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He brings extensive expertise in mechanical systems, with a particular focus on industrial ammonia refrigeration. As the founding director of the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, Dr. Reindl is dedicated to advancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of refrigeration infrastructure. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and both MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison. A registered professional engineer in Wisconsin, Dr. Reindl is widely recognized for his leadership in refrigeration education and applied research.

  Marc Claas

  Researcher

  Marc Claas is an Associate Researcher with the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, specializing in industrial refrigeration since 2009. He focuses on system maintenance, safe operation, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance, with a growing interest in emerging cooling technologies. Marc has led online operator training programs and brings extensive field experience in Process Safety Management (PSM), including audits and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). He also investigates energy efficiency and operational improvements in refrigeration systems. Marc holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Platteville and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Thermal Sciences from UW-Madison. He is an active member of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.

• Program Director

  Douglas Reindl

Attendees participating in this course will be able to earn a digital badge as evidence of the knowledge they obtained during the course. Digital badges are micro-credentials that can be earned by successfully passing a final quiz administered online after completing the course. Click here for information on digital badges.

Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, course materials, and in-person instruction.

Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC) members receive $200 off the registration fee per person. Member affiliation will be verified.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Characteristics of Ammonia, Fluorochemicals, Hydrocarbons

• Physical properties
• Thermodynamic properties of ammonia
• Health effects
• Flammability considerations

Practical Overview of Systems

• System types
• High-side components
• Low-side components

Safety and Your Machinery Room 

• Emergency ventilation
• Emergency showers/eyewash
• PRVs
• Other machinery room considerations

Elements for a Successful Program

• What is PSM?
• When is compliance mandatory?
• Assessing risks
• Accident prevention

EPA Risk Management Program: Achieving Compliance and Operational Safety 

• What is it?
• When is compliance mandatory? General Applicability
• Applicability of program levels
• Prevention program (program 2 and program 3)
• Management system
• Five-year accident history
• Offsite consequence analysis
• A look at ALOHA computer program
• Risk management plan (documentation requirements)
• Review and update

EPA Risk Management Plan

Registration Date/Time:
4/5/2028 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 4/5/2028  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/6/2028  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/7/2028  8:00am - 2:00pm Central Time

This in-person course uses the Canvas learning management system to provide access to instructional materials, participation certificates, and course evaluations. A UW NetID is required to log in to Canvas.

Your registration confirmation email will include step-by-step instructions for setting up your NetID and accessing the Canvas course site. Please check your spam folder if you do not see your confirmation or UW communication emails from the "@wisc.edu" address.

This course is part of the Process Safety Management Professional Certificate. Increase your knowledge and effectiveness at managing PSM/RMP programs for your ammonia refrigerated facility, while earning a recognized credential. Course can be taken individually as well. 

• Instructors

  Nicole O'Connor

  Assistant Area Director

  Nicole O'Connor is currently the Assistant Area Director with the Madison Area OSHA Office with expertise specializing in Industrial Hygiene. Prior to joining OSHA in 2006, Mrs. O’Connor worked as a Project Manager for an environmental, health and safety consulting firm, providing occupational safety training, industrial hygiene monitoring, safety program and policy development, compliance auditing, and environmental reporting. Mrs. O’Connor received both her Bachelor of Science - Biology, and Master of Science - Occupational Safety, from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

  Douglas Reindl

  Professor

  Douglas Reindl, PhD, PE is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a Program Director at the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He brings extensive expertise in mechanical systems, with a particular focus on industrial ammonia refrigeration. As the founding director of the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, Dr. Reindl is dedicated to advancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of refrigeration infrastructure. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and both MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison. A registered professional engineer in Wisconsin, Dr. Reindl is widely recognized for his leadership in refrigeration education and applied research.

  Marc Claas

  Researcher

  Marc Claas is an Associate Researcher with the Industrial Refrigeration Consortium, specializing in industrial refrigeration since 2009. He focuses on system maintenance, safe operation, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance, with a growing interest in emerging cooling technologies. Marc has led online operator training programs and brings extensive field experience in Process Safety Management (PSM), including audits and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). He also investigates energy efficiency and operational improvements in refrigeration systems. Marc holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Platteville and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Thermal Sciences from UW-Madison. He is an active member of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.

• Program Director

  Douglas Reindl

Attendees participating in this course will be able to earn a digital badge as evidence of the knowledge they obtained during the course. Digital badges are micro-credentials that can be earned by successfully passing a final quiz administered online after completing the course. Click here for information on digital badges.

Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, course materials, and in-person instruction.

Industrial Refrigeration Consortium (IRC) members receive $200 off the registration fee per person. Member affiliation will be verified.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.