Cellular glass (Polyisocyanurate) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are common.

The handbook is designed to complement and clarify the requirements of and ASME B31.5 (Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components). Key topics typically include:

Shared files often lack critical updates, errata sheets, or complete sizing tables.

While the Piping Handbook is a "guidance document," it works in conjunction with IIAR’s mandatory ANSI standards. Understanding the relationship between them is crucial for compliance.

The IIAR handbook emphasizes system safety to prevent accidental ammonia releases, which pose severe toxic and flammability risks.

If you are looking for related standards and definitions, here are some free government and industry resources:

Moisture ingress leads to Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), a major cause of piping failure. The handbook outlines strict vapor barrier requirements and insulation materials like cellular glass or polyisocyanurate to protect cold piping surfaces. How to Access the IIAR Piping Handbook PDF

To help professionals master the handbook, IIAR offers the "Piping Handbook Chapter 1 Certificate Course." This is a self-paced online course designed to teach ammonia pipe sizing using pressure drop principles and mass flow. Participants work through practical examples directly from Chapter 1 of the handbook, bridging the gap between reading the text and applying it in the field. Additionally, IIAR frequently offers deep-dive training sessions at its annual conference, where experts explain the software and engineering methods presented in the handbook.

The IIAR Piping Handbook is just one component of a comprehensive regulatory and safety framework for ammonia refrigeration. For safe and compliant operations, several mandatory standards are often incorporated by reference into federal and local codes.

Approved specifications for carbon steel and stainless steel piping, fittings, and copper-free valves compatible with anhydrous ammonia.

Using an official copy of the handbook ensures your facility stays compliant with OSHA and EPA regulations in the United States. Key safety topics included in the PDF version often include:

Using the IIAR Piping Handbook helps facilities achieve several critical goals: IIAR Books