THE COLD STORAGE ORDER, 1980

[THE COLD STORAGE ORDER, 1980][1]

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), the Central Government hereby makes the following Order, namely:

Order - 1. Short title, extent and commencement.

(1)     This Order may be called the Cold Storage Order, 1980.

 

(2)     It extends to the whole of India except the States/Union Territories exempted in this regard by Central Government.

 

(3)     It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the official Gazette.

Order - 2. Definitions.

In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)      "Cold Storage" means any chamber or chambers insulated and mechanically cooled by refrigeration machinery and used for storing foodstuffs but does not include refrigerated cabinets of coolers having capacity of less than 25 cubic metre;

 

(b)      "Cold Storage receipt" means a receipt issued by a licensee in token of having received foodstuffs from a hirer for storage in a cold storage;

 

(c)      "Foodstuffs" include,

(i)       fruits, whether fresh, dried, dehydrated or preserved;

 

(ii)      vegetables including seed potatoes, whether fresh, dried, dehydrated or preserved;

 

(iii)     meat, whether fresh, frozen, dried or preserved;

 

(iv)    fish, whether fresh, frozen or dried;

 

(v)      eggs, whether shelled or unshelled;

 

(vi)    milk and milk products;

 

(vii)   spices and condiments; and

 

(viii)  any other food or food products which the Central Government may, by notified order, specify from time to time;

(d)      "Form" means a form appended to this Order;

(e)      "hirer" means any person who hires on payment, space in a cold Storage for storing foodstuffs;

(f)       "licence" means a licence granted under this Order;

(g)      "licensee" means a person holding a license;

(h)     "Licensee Officer" means the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India and includes any officer of the Central Government, not below the rank of the Deputy Agricultural Marketing Adviser, Government of India, or the officer of the State Government not below the rank of the Deputy Secretary to Government, empowered by him, as notified from time to time, to exercise all or any of his powers or to discharge all or any of his function under this Order;

(i)       "Notified Order" means an Order notified in the official Gazette;

(j)       "Schedule" means the Schedule appended to this Order;

Order - 3. Prohibition of construction of new cold storage or expansion of existing cold storage without permission.

No person shall

(a)      construct a cold storage or expand the licensed capacity of any existing cold storage for storing foodstuff; or

(b)      store, accept or undertake to accept for storage in any cold storage, any foodstuff, except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence:

Provided that the Licensing Officer may, on an application made in this behalf in Form "A" exempt a cold storage run by a hospital, hotel or a hostel of an institution, if he is satisfied, after making such enquiries as he may consider necessary, that the cold storage is intended for the bona fide use of such establishment only.

Order - 4. Application for permission to construct, expand or commission of a cold storage.

(1)     Any person desiring to construct a cold storage, or expand an existing cold storage, shall make an application in Form "B" (in duplicate).

 

(2)     Any person desiring to obtain a licence for running a cold storage shall make an application to the Licensing Officer in Form "C" (in duplicate).

 

(3)     Every such application shall be accompanied with the fees specified in clause 5 and three copies of the blue prints of the cold storage building plant or, as the case may be, of blue prints of the expansion of the existing cold storage building.

 

(4)     Where the applicant proposes to construct more than one cold storage or to expand more this one cold storage he shall obtain a separate licence for each such cold storage by applying separately for each cold storage.

Order - 5. Fee for licence.

Application fee and licence fee shall be as follows:

(a)      Application fee:

(b)      Licence fee/Renewal fee.

Payable per calendar year or part thereof:

Order - 6. Factors to be considered in granting or refusing a licence.

In granting or refusing a licence, the Licensing Officer shall have regard to the following factors, namely.

(i)       the number of cold storages already operating in the area in which the cold storage in respect of which the licence is applied for is proposed to be constructed or expanded and the availability of foodstuffs for storage in such cold storage;

 

(ii)      the refrigeration insulation and sanitary conditions of the cold storage, as specified in the Schedule in respect of which the licence is applied for;

 

(iii)     suitability of qualifications/experience of the staff employed or proposed to be employed for manning the plant; and

 

(iv)    any other matter which the Licensing Officer may consider necessary for the purpose.

Order - 7. Grant of licence.

(i)       On receipt of an application under Clause 4, the Licensing Officer may, if he is satisfied having regard to the factors specified in Clause 6 that there is no objection to grant licence to the applicant, he may grant the applicant a licence in Form "D".

 

(ii)      Where having regard to the factors specified in Clause 6 the Licensing Officer is of opinion that the applicant should not be granted the licence, he may, after giving the applicant opportunity of being heard, refuse to grant the licence recording in writing the reasons for such refusal and furnish a copy thereof to the applicant.

 

(iii)     Where the applicant is refused licence, the licence fee paid by the applicant with his application shall be refunded to him.

Order - 8. Relaxation of conditions of licence.

Every licence granted under Clause 7 shall be subject to the terms and conditions specified in the Schedule:

Provided that in the case of a cold storage already in existence before the commencement of this Order, the Licensing Officer may relax any conditions if he is satisfied that the compliance with such a condition is not practicable.

Order - 9. Cancellation of licence.

The Licensing Officer may cancel any licence if he is satisfied that the licensee has,

(a)      parted in whole or in part, with his control over the cold storage, or

 

(b)      ceased to run his cold storage, or

 

(c)      levied any charges in excess of he charges permitted under clause 20, or

 

(d)      contravened or failed to comply with any of the terms and conditions specified in the Schedule or any directions which may be issued by the Licensing Officer for the proper implementation of this Order:

Provided that, before cancelling any licence, the Licensing Officer shall give ten clear days' notice to the licensee stating the grounds on which it is proposed to cancel the licence and shall give the licensee an opportunity to show cause for not cancelling the licence:

Provided further that where immediate action is required in the public interest the Licensing Officer may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, without giving the licensee an opportunity to show cause, cancel the licence.

Order - 10. Licensee not entitled to compensation or refund of licencefee.

Where any licence is cancelled the licensee shall not be entitled to any compensation or refund of fee paid by him for such licence.

Order - 11. Period of validity of licence.

Every licence shall, unless cancelled earlier, expire on the 31st day of December of the [2][fifth year from the year] in which the licence is granted.

Order - 12. Renewal of licence.

(1)     Every licensee desiring to get his licence renewed shall on or before the 31st day of October make an application in [3]["Form "E" (in duplicate to the Licensing Officer accompanied with the renewal fee specified in clause 7. The Form "H" duly filled in by the licensee shall be submitted on yearly basis to the Licensing Officer before the 31st day of October every year). Where a licensee fails to make an application within the date aforesaid he may make an application with the fee specified in sub-clause (b) of Clause 5 at any time before the expiry of the licenceon payment of a penalty calculated at rupees one hundred for the delay of every month or part thereof.

 

(2)     On receipt of an application for the renewal of licence the Licensing Officer may either renew the licence or refuse to renew it. Where renewal is refused the licensee shall be given an opportunity of being heard and the reasons for such refusal be recorded in writing and copy thereof shall be furnished to the applicant and renewal fee received from the applicant shall be refunded to him.

 

(3)     Where the licensee fails to apply for renewal before the date specified in sub-clause (1) it shall not be lawful for the licensee after the date of expiry of his license to run his cold storage unless he obtains renewed licence in that behalf.

Order - 13. Issue of duplicate licence.

Where a licence is lost, destroyed, torn, defaced or mutilated the licensee may apply for a duplicate copy of the licence. Every such application shall be accompanied with the fee specified in sub-clause (a) (iii) of Clause 5. On receipt of an application the Licensing Officer shall grant a duplicate copy of licence to the licensee.

Order - 14. Regulation and transfer of licence.

(i)       A licence granted under this Order shall not be transferred to any other person without the prior approval of he Licensing Officer.

 

(ii)      Where a licensee sells or otherwise transfers a cold storage to another person or persons or suspends operation of the cold storage for a period exceeding six months the licensee shall surrender the licence to the Licensing Officer within one month of such sale or transfer or suspension.

 

(iii)     Any change in partnership shall be notified to the Licensing Officer within one month of such change.

 

(iv)    The purchaser or the transferee, as the rase may be, shall apply to the Licensing Officer for the grant of new licence in accordance with this Order.

(v)      In the event of any change in the name, style or location of the cold storage the licensee shall forthwith intimate the change to the Licensing Officer and within one month from the date of intimation forward his licence to the Licensing Officer along with the necessary document for effecting the necessary change.

Order - 15. Contract of agreement with hirer.

The licensee shall not enter into a contract or agreement with any hirer in contravention of any of the provision of this Order.

Order - 16. Overloading.

No licensee shall load the cold storage beyond the licensed capacity.

Order - 17. Provisions regarding storage of foodstuffs.

(i)       No licensee shall refuse to accept for storage in the cold storage any foodstuffs tendered by any person if such person offers to pay the required cold storage charges and if the accommodation for storage of such foodstuffs in the cold storage is available:

Provided that, if the foodstuffs tendered for storage are likely to cause damage to any other foodstuffs stored in the cold storage or if for the storage of the foodstuffs so tendered, maintenance of different ranges of temperature than are normally required for the foodstuffs stored in bulk is required, then the licensee may refuse to accept for storage, the foodstuffs so tendered:

Provided further that, if the Licensing Officer is satisfied that storage of any particular category of foodstuff is not in the public interest, he may by a public notice prohibit such storage and thereupon the licenses shall refuse to store such foodstuffs.

(ii)      Where any hirer demands delivery of the whole or any part of his consignment stored in the licensees cold storage, the licensee shall on payment of the charges fixed under Clause 20 within twenty hours of such demand, deliver the whole or, as the case may be, the part of the consignment to the hirer.

(iii)     Consignment of foodstuffs stored by each hirer or covered by each storage receipt shall be stored by the licensee separately so as to ensure their easy identification and easy delivery to the hirers concerned.

Order - 18. Cold storage receiptsDefined in 2 (b).

(i)       For the foodstuffs stored in a cold storage by each hirer, the licensee shall issue a cold storage receipt in Form "F".

 

(ii)      The receipt shall, unless it is otherwise specified thereon, be transferable by endorsement and delivery and shall entitle the holder in due course to receive the goods specified in it as if he were the original hirer; and

 

(iii)     If a cold storage receipt is lost, destroyed, torn, defaced or otherwise becomes illegible, the licensee shall, on an application made by the hirer, issue a duplicate receipt.

Order - 19. Power to requisition the storage.

(i)       The Licensing Officer may, be the public interest by order in writing served on any licensee requisition the whole or a part of the space in the licensee's cold storage for the period specified in the order and on payment of charges fixed under Clause 20 of the Order.

(ii)      The space as requisitioned may be allotted by the Licensing Officer for storing the foodstuffs to one or more persons specified in the Order.

Order - 20. Fixation of charges for storage.

Keeping in view the cost of the machinery, depreciation, electric charges, etc., the [4][Licensing Officer may] by order in the official Gazette, from time to time, fix the maximum charges which a licensee may charge for storing [5][any foodstuffs in the Cold Storage or for any other service connected therewith:

Provided that the Licensing Officer may, if he is satisfied that certain categories of Cold Storage need exemption from fixation of maximum charges exempt such Cold Storages by notification in the official Gazette].

Order - 21. Inspection facilities, etc.

(i)       The licensee shall keep his licence in safe custody in cold storage premises and produce it on demand to the Licensing Officer.

(ii)      Every licensee shall provide all facilities and assistance to the Licensing Officer for inspecting the cold storage premises, machinery, equipment, foodstuffs, stored therein, books, records and accounts at any time.

Order - 22. Maintenance of records and submission of returns.

Every licensee shall maintain accounts, books and records relating to storage of foodstuffs at the licensed premises in the Forms G-I to G-IV, and submit to the Licensing Officer returns and statements in the Forms G-I to G-IV.

Order - 23. Power to call for information, etc.

(i)       The Licensing Officer may with a view to securing compliance with this Order,

(a)      require any licensee to give any information in his possession with respect to the foodstuffs stored by him in the cold storage;

(b)      enter, inspect and search any premises where the cold storage is installed to run at any time with a view to satisfy himself that the requirement of this Order are being complied with;

(c)      prohibit by an order in writing further storage or disposal of any foodstuffs in respect of which he has reason to believe that any contravention of this Order has taken place;

(d)      prohibit a licensee by an order in writing from appointing a person to act as an operator if he has reason to believe that the person has not got the requisite qualification or knowledge or experience of the job.

(ii)      Every licensee shall be bound to furnish such information as may be required by the Licensing Officer and afford all necessary facilities to him for the purpose of exercising his powers under paragraph (b) of subclause (1).

(iii)     Subject to the provision of this clause the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), relating to search, so far as may be, apply to searches under this clause.

Order - 24. Appeal.

Any person aggrieved by an order of the Licensing Officer made under this Orders may prefer an appeal to the Officer of the Central Government not below the rank of the Joint Secretary appointed by the Central Government in this behalf by special order from time to time.

Order - 25. Delegation.

The Central Government, may by a notified order direct that such of the powers and functions of the Licensing Officer as may be specified in the Order, may be exercised or, as the case may be, discharged by any State Government or such Officer or authority subordinate thereto as may be specified in the order within the territorial limits of that State.

Order - 26. Repeal and saving.

The Cold Storage Order, 1964, is hereby repealed, except in respect of things done or omitted to be done thereunder before such repeal.

SCHEDULE

[See Clause 8]

PART I

Sanitary Requirements

1.        The premises where the cold storage is installed shall be clean inside the cold storage electric lights shall be provided at the rate of 1 watt per 4645 sq. sm. The disinfecting or deodourizing of the cold storage shall, however, be carried out as and when required.

2.        The licensee shall not store any product which may be repugnant or alien to the smell of the foodstuffs stored in the cold storage. Products having repugnant smell shall, however, be stored in separate chambers of the cold storage.

3.        All yards, outhouses, stores and all approaches of the premises where the cold storage is installed shall be clean and sanitary.

4.        No person suffering from any infectious or contagious disease shall be allowed to work in the cold storage. Arrangements shall be made for examination of the employees other than daily paid labourers working in the cold storage once a year to check that they are free from any infectious, contagious or other diseases.

5.        The employees working inside the cold storage operating above freezing point shall be adequately provided with proper clothes to protect them from cold. The employees working in a cold storage which operates below freezing point shall also be provided with boots.

6.        Adequate toilet facilities shall be provided separately for males and females within the premises.

7.        All steps, stairs and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained and provided with hands rails to ensure safety.

PART II

Requirements as to Operation

1.        The doors of the cold storage shall be provided with adequate insulation and shall be kept reasonably air-tight. The design of the doors shall be such that a person shall be able to open it from inside as well as outside.

2.        Where racks are provided they shall be so constructed that loading and unloading operations shall be carried out without endangering the lives of the employees working in the cold storage.

3.        For the distribution and circulation of air and for actual operation of loading and unloading, the following directions shall be adhered to, namely:

(a)      The passage between the rows of the ranks shall not be less than 0.76 metre.

(b)      The racks shall be kept away at least 20 cm. from the walls and floor.

(c)      A gap of at least 30 cm. shall be maintained between the ceiling and the top level of the load in the top most shelf of every rack.

(d)      A gap of at least 7.5 cm. shall be maintained on every shelf of a rack between the load on the shelf and the succeeding shelf.

4.        The diffusers or direct expansion pipes for conveying the refrigerant shall be so arranged in the cold storage so as to a maintain proper temperature with maximum allowable variation of ± 1°C and percentage of relative humidity with an allowable of ± 5 per cent in the very location of the cold storage where foodstuffs are stored.

5.        The cold storage shall be provided with thermometers reading dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures. The number and location of thermometers shall be dependent on the size and capacity of the cold storage and shall be as instructed by the Licensing Officer or the Officer authorised by him in this behalf at the time of the first or subsequent inspection.

6.        All moving parts of prime movers and flywheels connected to the prime movers shall be provided with proper belt guards.

7.        The suction pipe line of the compressor shall be properly insulated.

8.        An alarm bell with switch inside each storage chamber shall be provided for use in case of an emergency.

9.        'First-Aid Box' shall be maintained in the machine room.

10.     Attached to cold storage chambers, an ante-chamber or air-curtain shall be provided.

11.     The receiver or condensor of the refrigerating system shall be provided with a pressure gauge with suitable range.

12.     A cold storage shall satisfy safety code for mechanical refrigeration as specified in Annexure I to this Schedule.

PART III

Maintenance of Log Book and Statement of advance booking

1.        Every licensee shall maintain a 'Log Book' in the form set out in the Annexure II to this Order for the maintenance of temperature and relative humidity as well as the pressure reading of the compressor on four hourly basis all throughout night and day during the operation of the cold storage unless automatic recording instruments are installed and shall be signed by the licensee or a responsible person duly authorised by him. The Licensing Officer or any person duly authorised by him in this behalf shall sign the Log Book at every inspection after personal verification of the records.

2.        Any stoppage of function of the cold storage continuously for more than 2 hours shall be reported immediately to the Licensing Officer by telegram and confirmed by letter by the licensee. The reasons for such breakdown shall be recorded in the Log Book and reported to the Licensing Officer.

3.        Every licensee shall maintain statement of advance booking and shall furnish this statement to Inspectorate shall as and when required by him.

Annexure I

[See Clause 12 of Schedule]

Indian Standard Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration

(Revised)

1.        Scope:

1.1. This code covers safety features in the design, construction, installation, operation and inspection of mechanical refrigeration system of vapor compression type, including working conditions in the plant from which are considered reasonably necessary to safeguard life, health and property in he cold storage.

2.        Terminology:

2.0. For the purpose of this code, the following definitions shall apply:

2.1. Compressor.The equipment in which refrigerant in a refrigerating machine is compressed to increase its pressure before liquifaction.

2.2. Condensor.A part of the refrigerating system where high pressure refrigerant gas is condensed to high pressure liquid.

2.3. Condensing unit.A combination of "equipment consisting mainly of compressors, condensers and liquid receivers (when required) for converting low pressure gas to high pressured liquid.

2.4. Evaporator.A part of the refrigerating system where liquid refrigerant is evaporated to produce cooling.

2.5. Expansion valve.A valve which makes the liquid refrigerant to expand from a high pressure to low pressure and controls the flow of the refrigerant.

2.6. Fusible plug.A plug made of special fusible alloy which fuses at a predetermined temperature and relieves pressure in the refrigerating system.

2.7. High pressure switch.An automatic protective device against excessive pressure on the high side. It automatically stops a compressor or a condensing unit when the pressure on the high side exceeds a predetermined limit.

2.8. Low pressure switch.An automatic protective device against excessively low pressure on the low side. It automatically stops a compressor or a condensing unit when the pressure on the side falls below a predetermined limit.

2.9. Plant room.Room in which a refrigerating plant, other than domestic refrigerating appliance such as refrigerators, portable air conditioners, etc. (which are installed inside the living room) is installed and operated.

2.10. Pressure relief device.A pressure actuated valve or device which automatically relieves the pressure in excess of its setting.

2.11. Pressure vessel.It is a receiver containing refrigerants under pressure.

2.12. Receiver.A vessel forming a part of refrigerating system acting as a receptacle for liquid refrigerant.

2.13. Refrigerant.A chemical agent used to produce cooling by expansion from high pressure liquid to low pressure gas in a refrigerating system.

2.14. Refrigerant container.A vessel for storage of liquid refrigerant.

2.15. Refrigeration system.An equipment consisting of condensing unit and evaporator in which refrigerant is circulated to extract and transfer heat.

3.        Installation requirements:

3.1. Plant Room.

3.1.1. Doors, partitions and openings.The plant room of each refrigerating system shall be provided with a door(s) and shall have no partition or openings so as to avoid escape of refrigerants to other part of the building.

3.1.2. No plant room door shall have locking devices from inside. However, facilities for bolting from inside may be provided.

3.1.3. Adequate ventilation shall be provided for each plant room. The ventilation required shall generally be in accordance with Table-I. To achieve the required ventilation, windows or doors opening to outside air or power driven exhaust fans may be provided. The sizes of the windows and doors and air displacing capacity of the exhaust fans shall be in accordance with the requirements given in Table-I. When exhaust fans are used, provision should be made for inlet of the air to replace the air that is being exhausted by the fan. The area connected to the exhaust fan or fans shall be in accordance with the minimum duct areas as given in Table-I.

3.1.4. Emergency exits and fire extinguisher.Each plant room shall be provided with emergency exits and the fire extinguishers of suitable type (see IS 2190: 1962 Code of Practice for Selection, Installation and Maintenance of Portable First-Air-Fire Appliances).

3.1.5. First-aid equipment.First-aid equipment shall be provided in each plant room in accordance with the requirements laid down in the Factories Act, 1948, and Rules thereunder.

3.1.6. Gas masks.One or more gas masks or breathing apparatus of suitable type shall be kept immediately outside the plant room in an accessible portion. Canisters of the gas masks shall be renewed periodically.

3.2. Foundation and supports provided for condensing units or compressor units or other refrigeration equipment shall be substantially sound and vibration absorbing and of non-combustible construction.

3.2.1. All moving machinery shall be guarded in accordance with the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, and Rules thereunder.

3.3. Adequate clear space for inspection and servicing of condensing units or compressor units shall be provided.

TABLEI

Minimum Air Duct Area and Openings

(Clause 3.1.3.)

Note 1.Mechanical discharge of air and open area have been derived from the following formula taken from DIN 8975 Refrigeration Plants, Safety Principles for their Construction, Equipment and Erection:

Open window or door area, m. 2 = 0 (??)

Mechanical Discharge of air, m.3 = 502 (??)

Where

'G' is the charge in kg. of the largest closed circuit of refrigerant in the engine room.

Note 2.Intermediate values may be obtained by calculation.

3.4.  Condensing units or compressor units within enclosures shall be readily accessible for inspection and servicing.

3.5. Adequate illumination for inspection and servicing of condensing units or compressor units and other refrigeration equipment shall be provided.

3.6. Water supply connections shall be made in accordance with the requirements given in IS: 20651963 Code of Practice for Water Supply in Building.

3.6.1. Water used for removing heat from the refrigerating system shall not be discharged into any water supply which is likely to be used for human or animal consumption.

3.7. Electrical wiring and installation of the electrical equipment shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Indian Electricity Act and Rules thereunder and sell also conform to the requirements laid down in IS: 7321963 Code of Practice for Electrical Wiring installations (System Voltage Not Exceeding 650 Volts) (Revised) IS: 22741963 Code of Practice for Electrical Wiring installations (System Voltage Exceeding 650 Volts) and IS: 3021960 General Safety Requirement for Light Electrical Appliance, as applicable.

3.7.1. Electrical interlocking of the compressor with condensing water pump and cooling tower fan (where provided) is strongly recommended. The switch of the compressor motor should be interlocked with the pumping set and fan in such a way that the compressor motor will not start until the condensing water pump and fan have started.

3.7.2. It is recommended that as far as practicable the high pressure switches, low pressure switches, and other electrical control apparatus used in connection with a mechanical refrigeration system be operated on a voltage not exceeding 250.

3.8. No open flame or apparatus to produce open flame or hot surface above 425°C shall be permitted in a plant room having one or more refrigeration machines with a total refrigerant charge exceeding that mentioned in Table-2 for each cubic metre of room volume.

3.9. No open flame shall be applied to refrigerating system or refrigerant vessel when the system or vessel is charged with refrigerant.

3.10. In the case of refrigerating system using inflammable refrigerants, such as methyl chloride, ethane, etc., all electrical installations for refrigerating system shall generally conform to the requirements given.

TABLE2

Maximum Permissible Quantities of Inflammable Refrigerants

(Clause 3.8)

In IS: 16461961 Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Buildings (General), Electrical Installations, where applicable, and any other fire safety requirements laid down by the appropriate authority.

3.11. No refrigerating system or piping shall be installed in a passage doorway, below a staircase, or in any public place, except when suitably guarded.

3.12. Charging refrigerant.While charging a gauge should be provided between the refrigerant container and the machine to know the pressure at which the system is being charged. This pressure should not exceed the discharge pressure at which the compressor has to work with particular type of refrigerant.

3.13. For each installation of refrigerating system the following informations mounted on a frame, should be clearly posted in the plant room:

(a)      Name and make of the condensing unit;

 

(b)      Model of condensing unit;

 

(c)      Name and full charge of refrigerant;

 

(d)      Full charge of oil;

 

(e)      Quantity of refrigerant and oil charged in the system with date of charging;

 

(f)       Pressure at which the system is tested after installation; and

 

(g)      Change of refrigerant, if any, with date.

4.        Refrigerating system and equipment:

4.1. Refrigerant piping valves, fittings, their related parts and all material used in the construction and installation of refrigerating system shall be suitable for the refrigerant used. No material which could deteriorate due to chemical action of the refrigerant or the oil or the combination of both and moisture shall be used. Aluminium, zinc, or magnesium shall not be used in contact with methyl chloride. Magnesium alloys shall not be used in contact with chloro-fluori derivatives of methane and ethane. Copper and copper alloys shall not be used in contact with ammonia.

4.2. All joints shall be readily accessible.

4.3. Joints from refrigerant copper pipe and fitting made with solder or other alloys shall have melting point of

(a)      not less than 260 C for pipe size up to 32 mm.; and

(b)      540°C for pipe sizes above 32 mm. and for all the size on hot gas lines.

4.4. Stop valves shall be installed on all systems other than those using centrifugal compressors containing more than 10 kg. of refrigerant. The location of the stop valves shall be as given in 4.4.1.

4.4.1. Stop valves shall be provided at the inlet and outlet ends of each of compressor, receiver and evaporator.

4.5. Test Pressures. All stop valves piping, joints, flanges and fittings shall withstand test pressures as given in Table 3 after completion of installation and before operation.

4.6. All refrigerant piping should be supported by means of hangers, bracket straps, clamps or pedestals in such a manner as to relieve joints of harmful strains and vibrations.

4.7. Colours identification of refrigerant pipe lines shall be in accordance with the colours identification given in IS: 2379-Colours code for identification of pipe lines.

4.8. Emergency discharge line.Each refrigeration system of ammonia and sulphur dioxide having a charge of 10 kg. or more should be equipped with emergency discharge line. The discharge line should be connected directly in top of the receiver or the condenser receiver in the emergency.

TABLE 3

Minimum Field Refrigerant Leak Test Pressure

(Clauses 4.5 and 5.3)

Not recommended for the installations.

Valve should be placed immediately outside the plant and there should be no valve between the emergency valve and the receiver so that in case of an emergency the valve can be operated from outside without entering the plant room. Adequate precautions should be taken to see that the emergency valve is not tempered with by an unauthorised person. The emergency valve should be covered preferably with a glass fronted box. The emergency discharge pipe should be so connected outside the building that it does not affect the surrounding locality.

5.        Pressure devices:

5.1. High pressure switch.

5.1.1. All condensing units or compressor units above the size normally used for domestic refrigerators shall be fitted with automatic high pressure switches.

5.1.2. The high pressure switch shall always be fitted on to the discharge side of the compressor before the discharge shut-off valve.

5.1.3. For condensing units above 7.5 KW the cut-in cycle of the high pressure switch shall not be automatic, that is after tripping, the compressor motor shall require to be started manually.

5.2. Low Pressure switch.Low pressure switch should be fitted wherever practicable, to all compressors other than those used for domestic refrigerators when the compressors are used for producing low temperature condition below 0°C.

5.3. Pressure relief device or fusible plugs.These shall be provided on the high side above the refrigerant liquid level on all condensing units. The discharge for the relief valve should be so connected that it should discharge without affecting the surrounding locality outside the building. Ammonia and sulphur dioxide refrigerants shall be discharged in vessels containing water and brine, respectively. The pressure relief valves shall be set to below at pressures 75 to 80 per cent of those specified for minimum field refrigerant leak test pressures (on the high pressure) given in Table-3.

6.        Pressure vessels:

6.1. All refrigerant containing pressure vessels shall be hydrostatically tested and thoroughly examined periodically as required under the Factories Act, 1948 and the Rule made thereunder.

6.2. All refrigerant containing pressure vessels having a net volume of 0.15 cm.3 or more, and which may be shut-off by valves, shall be equipped with pressure relief devices or fusible plugs.

7.        Maintenance:

7.1. Each refrigerating system after installation shall be checked for refrigerant leaks every three months.

7.2. Pressure devices, pressure gauges and all other refrigerant controls on both the high side and low side shall be checked periodically, the time between two such inspections not exceeding six months. Fusible plugs shall be inspected once every three months.

7.3. Moulds, cans, tanks, etc. shall be checked frequently for chemical action and corrosion from hygienic and sanitary point of view.

7.4. Electrical installation shall be checked periodically for insulation leakage, etc. in accordance with the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, and the rules made thereunder and IS: 7321963 Code of Practice for Electrical Wiring Installations (Systems Voltage Not Exceeding 650 Volts) (Revised) and IS: 22741963 Code of Practice for Electricity Wiring Installation (System Voltage Exceeding 650 Volts).

7.5. All repairs shall be duly recorded and record of all tests carried out after repairs shall be maintained. The record should be signed by the mechanic and the engineer or officer-in-charge.

7.6. Proper precaution shall be taken that no gas other than what is in the system is charged.

7.7. Open flame shall never be applied to the gas cylinder or to the system when it is charged with refrigerant.

7.8. In a plant room in which refrigerating system containing more than 25 kg. of refrigerant is installed, a card shall be placed conspicuously near the compressors giving directions for the operation of the refrigerating system including precautions to be taken in the case of a breakdown or leak and instruction for shutting down the refrigerating system in case of emergency.

Annexure II

[See Part III of Schedule]

Engine room log: