Mechanical Refrigeration Systems
Program Code Chapter: SPS 345
Disclaimer: Review WI statute for full program requirements
Overview
Oversees minimum safety standards for the design, construction, installation, operation, testing, maintenance, repairs, and inspection of mechanical refrigeration systems in public buildings and places of employment as well as the minimum standards for preventing the release of ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere.
Installation Registration
Registration is required for the following systems:
Any system using a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant and having a capacity rated at or greater than 50 horsepower, 50 tons or 50,000 volt-amperes.
Any system using a Group A2, B2, A3 or B3 refrigerant and having a capacity rated at or greater than 10 horsepower, 10 tons or 10,000 volt-amperes.
Any alteration of a mechanical refrigeration system, that causes the system to have or exceed the capacities listed above.
Any alteration or repair of a currently registered mechanical refrigeration system.
The installer/contractor must submit SBD-34, Registration for Mechanical Refrigeration Installation, at least 20 business days before the system is initially placed in operation or before the system is reactivated after an alteration, repair, or replacement.
After installation, the owner must provide the SBD-34 registration form (revised, if appropriate) via esla.wi.gov. Registration by the owner will result in a permit to operate (PTO). You will need to provide:
Owner information.
Site location.
System information.
Manufacturer information.
Date of installation.
Contractor information.
Supporting documentation including the SBD-63 registration form.
See the eSLA Information page for user guides and general instructions.
Permit and Inspection
Owners must hold an active permit to operate (PTO) for:
Toxic-flammable refrigerant systems of 10 or more tons. Systems must be inspected annually for PTO renewal.
Regular refrigerant systems of 50 or more tons. Systems must be inspected every 3 years for PTO renewal.
One- and two-family dwelling installations are exempt from PTO requirements but check with your municipality for any required local permitting or inspections.
All permitted systems must be inspected by DSPS or its contracted agent prior to renewing a PTO. Contact your DSPS inspector at least 5 days in advance to schedule an inspection.
PTO Renewal
PTOs must be renewed by the owner via esla.wi.gov.
See the eSLA Information page for user guides and general instructions.
Welded Steel Ammonia Refrigerant Piping
Inspections are required at material delivery and prior to starting the work.
Resources
Forms
Reference Material
Related Programs
Report an Accident
During regular business hours, call 262-524-3950.
After hours, weekends, or holidays, call Wisconsin Emergency Management after-hours incident reporting at 1-800-943-0003 x2.
Contact Us
Use the Inspector Look-Up Tool to determine the DSPS-appointed inspector for your county.
DSPS maintains program-specific email inboxes (tech boxes) to answer general code questions. Responses should not be construed as formal code interpretations nor do they supersede any previously issued correspondence from DSPS. Tech boxes should not be used for projects where code officials are already involved.
Amusement Rides: DspsSbHealthAndSafetyTech@wisconsin.gov
Boilers and Pressure Vessels: DspsSbBoilertech@wisconsin.gov
Camping Units: DspsSbUdcTech@wisconsin.gov
Commercial Buildings and HVAC: DspsSbBuildingTech@wisconsin.gov
Electrical: DspsSbElectricTech@wisconsin.gov
Elevators: DspsSbElevatorTech@wisconsin.gov
Fire Prevention and Fire Departments: DSPSSBFirePrevention@wisconsin.gov
Fire Suppression and Fire Alarm Systems: DspsSbFireProTech@wisconsin.gov
Gas Systems: DspsSbBoilertech@wisconsin.gov
Manufactured Home Communities: DspsSbUdcTech@wisconsin.gov
Mines and Explosives: DSPSMineSafety@wisconsin.gov
Modular Dwellings: DspsSbUdcTech@wisconsin.gov
One- and Two-Family Dwellings: DspsSbUdcTech@wisconsin.gov
Plumbing and Cross Connection: DspsSbPlbgTech@wisconsin.gov
Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment (POWTS): DspsSbPowtsTech@wisconsin.gov
Product Evaluations (Building, Plumbing, Pools, POWTS): DspsSbProductTech@wisconsin.gov
Public Sector Safety: DspsSbHealthAndSafetyTech@wisconsin.gov
Public Swimming Pools: DspsSbPoolTech@wisconsin.gov
Refrigeration Systems: DspsSbBoilertech@wisconsin.gov
Ski Lifts and Tows: DspsSbHealthAndSafetyTech@wisconsin.gov
Welding (Structural): DspsSbBoilertech@wisconsin.gov
For general questions not related to specific programs or technical codes, use these contacts:
General permitting, plan submittal, invoicing, eSLA: eSLAsupport@wisconsin.gov
Materials Orders: DspsSbMaterialOrders@wisconsin.gov
Fire Safe Cigarettes: eslaSupport@wisconsin.gov
Fire Dues: DSPSSBFireDues@Wisconsin.gov
NERIS: DSPSISNERIS@wisconsin.gov
Delegated Agents: DSPSSBDelegations@wisconsin.gov
Grants: DSPSGrants@wisconsin.gov
Credential (licenses, certifications, registrations): https://license.wi.gov/s/file-a-complaint
Subscribe to email updates from DSPS and receive upcoming announcements and notifications.
Go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIDSPS/subscriber/new
Enter your email address and click Submit.
Under Subscription Topics, expand the Industry Updates section.
Check all the topics of interest to you.
Scroll to the bottom and click Submit.
More Information
Related Pages
You may be interested in the pages below.
Codes and Statutes
Explore codes and statutes for DSPS public safety programs.
Credentialing
Look up DSPS credentials.
