Job Description: Ammonia Refrigeration Plant Technician – Utilities & Maintenance
Job Title: Ammonia Refrigeration Plant Technician
Job Summary
We are looking for a skilled and safety-conscious Ammonia Refrigeration Plant Technician to operate, monitor, and maintain industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and utility equipment. The candidate will be responsible for ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of refrigeration compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, valves, and associated utility systems. The role requires strong technical knowledge, preventive maintenance skills, and strict adherence to industrial safety procedures for ammonia handling.
Key Responsibilities
1. Ammonia Refrigeration Plant Operations
- Operate and monitor ammonia refrigeration systems to maintain required operating temperatures and pressures.
- Monitor refrigeration compressors, condensers, evaporators, cooling towers, pumps, and associated equipment.
- Record operating parameters, including suction and discharge pressures, temperatures, oil levels, and other relevant readings.
- Monitor ammonia levels and system performance and report abnormalities promptly.
- Ensure stable refrigeration supply to production, cold storage, and other operational areas.
- Adjust operating parameters within authorized limits to maintain system efficiency.
- Identify abnormal noises, vibrations, leaks, and equipment performance issues.
- Maintain daily operating logs and shift handover records.
2. Preventive & Breakdown Maintenance
- Carry out routine inspections and preventive maintenance of refrigeration and utility equipment.
- Assist in troubleshooting mechanical and operational faults in compressors, pumps, motors, valves, and piping systems.
- Inspect lubrication systems, belts, couplings, seals, and other mechanical components.
- Assist with equipment servicing, cleaning, lubrication, and replacement of defective parts.
- Report equipment failures and coordinate corrective maintenance with the maintenance team.
- Support planned shutdowns, equipment overhauls, and commissioning activities.
- Maintain maintenance records and report recurring equipment problems.
3. Utilities Operations & Maintenance
- Monitor and maintain utility systems, including cooling towers, chilled water systems, water pumps, and air compressors, as applicable.
- Check the condition and performance of motors, pipelines, valves, and associated equipment.
- Assist in monitoring water levels, temperatures, pressures, and other utility operating parameters.
- Ensure the availability and efficient operation of utilities required for plant operations.
- Report abnormal consumption, equipment inefficiencies, and utility interruptions.
- Coordinate with production and maintenance teams to minimize operational downtime.
4. Safety & Compliance
- Follow all plant safety procedures and approved operating instructions for ammonia refrigeration systems.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow permit-to-work requirements.
- Recognize ammonia leak indicators and immediately follow the site's emergency response procedures.
- Participate in safety inspections, emergency drills, and equipment safety checks.
- Ensure ammonia leak detectors, alarms, ventilation systems, and emergency equipment are maintained and reported for servicing when necessary.
- Never undertake ammonia leak repairs or high-risk maintenance without proper authorization, training, and required safety controls.
- Maintain housekeeping and ensure safe working conditions in the refrigeration plant and utility areas.
- Report unsafe conditions, near misses, and incidents to the supervisor immediately.
Qualifications
- ITI or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, or a related technical field.
- Relevant training in industrial refrigeration or ammonia refrigeration systems is preferred.
- Experience in industrial refrigeration plant operation and maintenance is an advantage.
- Knowledge of mechanical equipment, pumps, compressors, motors, valves, and piping systems is preferred.
Required Skills
- Practical knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems.
- Understanding of refrigeration cycles, pressure and temperature monitoring, and compressor operation.
- Basic troubleshooting and mechanical maintenance skills.
- Ability to read operating gauges, technical manuals, and equipment instructions.
- Knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures and maintenance documentation.
- Strong awareness of industrial safety and ammonia-related hazards.
- Ability to maintain accurate operating logs and shift reports.
- Good teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to work in rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, if required.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in food processing plants, cold storage facilities, dairy plants, seafood processing, beverage manufacturing, or other industrial refrigeration facilities.
- Experience operating reciprocating or screw compressors and associated refrigeration equipment.
- Familiarity with utility systems, preventive maintenance schedules, and breakdown reporting.
- Knowledge of emergency response procedures for ammonia refrigeration plants.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Reliable operation and availability of the refrigeration plant.
- Compliance with operating procedures and safety requirements.
- Timely completion of preventive maintenance activities.
- Reduction in equipment breakdowns and unplanned downtime.
- Accurate operating logs and maintenance records.
- Efficient energy and utility consumption.
- Timely reporting of faults, leaks, and unsafe conditions.
