D.3.1 Refrigeration and Refrigerants

Marine Biological Laboratory
Policy No. D.3.1

POM

Initiated by: Director, Facilities, Services and Projects
Approved by:MBL Director/CEO
Date:December 1, 1992
Revision: #1, February 28, 1996, Reconfirmed, March 28, 2005
Distribution:

1.0 Purpose:
This policy is to identify a central authoritative area of approval for the purchase of any refrigerant or refrigeration equipment that may become the property of the MBL or is expected to be serviced by MBL personnel. The ever changing laws and protocol pertaining to refrigerants continue to become stricter as concerns toward the environment increase. The MBL must be sensitive to these while protecting MBL research needs.

2.0 Policy:

  • 2.1 Purchases
    No refrigerant or refrigeration equipment shall be purchased without authorization from the Facilities Director, the Manager of Plant Operations and Maintenance (POM), or the POM Refrigeration Technician(s). Purchase orders shall have one of the above signatures before purchases can proceed.
  • 2.2 Maintenance
    All maintenance on refrigeration equipment located at the MBL shall be done through POM.
    • 2.2.1 Certified POM staff shall reuse clean refrigerants and recycle contaminated refrigerants as necessary.
  • 2.3 Donated Equipment
    The MBL shall not accept any donated equipment or grant purchased equipment until it is verified that the equipment meets current MBL levels of acceptability.
  • 2.4 CFC materials shall not be intentionally released to the environment. Under no condition should these materials be used for cleaning purposes.

3.0 Implementation

  • 3.1 Purchasing
    The MBL Purchasing Department shall not process any Purchase Orders for refrigeration equipment or refrigerants without one of the authorized signatures (refer to section 2.1).

4.0 Reuse and Disposal
All related equipment removed from service and to be disposed shall be reported to the Manager of POM. The POM technician shall extract the refrigerant for reuse, or if damaged, proper disposal.

5.0 Policy Clarification and Updates:
Policy clarification and updates are available from the Manager of Plant Operations and Maintenance.