Refrigeration System Decommissioning Results in Ammonia Leak at Athletic Club

Location: North Vancouver

Regulated industry sector: Boilers, PV & refrigeration - Refrigeration system 

Incident overview

Up to 100 pounds of ammonia was released outside a public athletic club with indoor ice facilities. The leak happened during decommissioning work of an ammonia refrigeration condenser by a refrigeration contractor and resulted in the facility enacting their Ammonia Release Emergency Protocol. Multiple workers and members of the public were in the area at the time of the leak. One bystander experienced symptoms of ammonia exposure and was treated by emergency services on site.