CSA Mechanical Room Code B52 Deficiencies Upgrade
Mechanical rooms are often forgotten about when it comes to life safety protection. The”Grandfather” clause does not exist and will not protect you, your workers or any bystanders in case of an accident.
Entry Door Deficiencies
Doors are required to have panic style hardware installed on both doors, knobs are not allowed.
Doors must swing in the direction of egress from the room.
Doors are required to have a tight fitting seal with self closing abilities.
Remote gas detection panels monitoring the live conditions of the room need to be installed at all locations.
Room ventilation controls are required to be accessible at each entry location.
Emergency procedures and chiller information signage required to be installed at each entry door.
Audio and visual signalling must be installed and visible with signage indicating the alarm status.
Entry Door Compliant
Both doors now swing in the direction of egress with independent locking trims.
Both doors have tight fitting seals.
Remote PPM monitor installed with room ventilation enabling functions and top mounted audio/visual signalling.
Emergency procedures, chiller information and alarm condition signage installed at entry location.
Exit Door Deficiencies
Doors are required to have panic style hardware installed on both doors, knobs are not allowed.
Doors must swing in the direction of egress from the room.
Doors are required to have a tight fitting seal with self closing abilities.
Main gas detection control panel should be installed within a safe location.
Room ventilation controls are required to be accessible at each exit location.
Audio and visual signalling must be installed and visible with signage indicating the alarm status
Exit Door Compliant
Both doors now swing in the direction of egress with panic push bars.
Both doors have tight fitting seals.
Main gas detection controller installed in safe location with room ventilation enable/disable functions and top mounted audio/visual signalling.
Building DDC communications and room ventilation are tied into the gas monitoring alarm system.
Ventilation Deficiencies
Rooms must be adequately ventilated according to minimum area of machinery room. Fans are to be controlled by the refrigeration gas system.
In many cases, refrigeration gasses are heavier than air. In a scenario where gas is discharged into the room, it will displace oxygen. This will raise the breathable air above the worker and lead to suffocation.
Exhaust fans must pull air no more than 12″ from finished floor.
Ventilation Compliant
Exhaust ducting installed to pull air 12″ from finished floor.
Supply and exhaust fans are locally controlled by the refrigeration gas system.
Installing a VFD or dual speed motors, allow for constant air flow across sensors. Upon alarm conditions both options will call for 100% of the motor.
Room ventilation controls and system of operations are installed within the main gas detection control panel.
Gas Sensor Deficiencies
Gas sensors are not installed within the air flow of mechanical room.
Gas PPM display and audio/visual signal are not within sight of entire room or safe to access in case of emergency.
Gas Sensor Compliant
Gas sensors are installed within the air flow of mechanical room.
Gas PPM display and audio/visual signal are within sight of entire room and safe to access in case of emergency.