Preface
This is the fourth edition of CSA Standard 852, Mechanical Refrigeration Code; it supersedes previous editions published in 1939, 1951, and 1965.
It should be understood that this Code is a recommended Standard only and does not have force of law until adopted officially by the various provinces and territories; also, that the provinces and territories, even though having adopted it, should be consulted as to the extent of such adoption, as the Code may have been adopted with exemptions or with additional requirements.
This Code is intended mainly to fulfil two purposes: first, to provide for the safe design, construction, installation, operation, and repair of refrigerating and air conditioning equipment and systems, and related equipment; and second, to promote uniform requirements among the provinces and territories. The Committee will meet periodically to revise the Code, as necessary, in order to meet changing conditions and to maintain uniformity across Canada.
In the preparation of this new edition, the Committee endeavoured to follow as closely as possible the technical content and format of ANSI Standard B9.1-1977, Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration. Most of the technical requirements of B52-1965, such as those pertaining to emergency discharge, have been retained.
In view of the impending change of the measuring system to SI (metric) units, the corresponding values have been incorporated in parentheses with the conventional engineering units. The present situation concerning the equipment in this industry prohibits the writing of this Standard in SI units alone. To assist in the transition and for further clarification reference should be made to CSA Standard CAN3-Z234.l-76, Canadian Metric Practice Guide. Conversion factors are appended.
This Code was prepared by the Technical Committee on Mechanical Refrigeration Code under the jurisdiction of the Standards Steering Committee on Occupational Safety Codes and was formally approved by these Committees.
Scope
1.1.1
This Code applies to the design, construction, installation, operation, and inspection of every refrigerating system, insofar as the same is provided for by the Act or defined in this Code.
1.1.2
Deviations from the requirements of this Code in cases of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship shall be made only where it is evident that equivalent protection is thereby secured and only with the written permission of the enforcing authority.
1.1.3
This Code does not apply to the use of water or air as a refrigerant, nor to bulk-storage gas tanks that are not permanently connected to a refrigeration system, nor to refrigerating systems or air conditioning systems installed on railroad cars, motor vehicles, motor-drawn vehicles, or on shipboard, nor to refrigerating systems or air conditioning systems in private residences, unless otherwise provided by the Act.
1.1.4
This Code applies to all refrigerating systems installed subsequent to its adoption and to parts replaced in or added to systems installed prior or subsequent to its adoption.