Training Expo in Central Pennsylvania

Last year I attended the 2007 Central PA RETA Training Expo and felt it was well worth the time. This year it is scheduled for April 3rd, 2008

This is a one day event held at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, PA at a cost of $10 per attendee including lunch.


Classes currently scheduled:

"Arc Flash & Equipment PM" by Mr. Todd Benincasa, EE, Premium Power Services

"PSM - Contractor Safety" by Mr. Cliff Jarrett, Compliance Officer, OSHA

"Re-Circulatory Air Door Technology" by Mr. Tim Buckley, HCR Inc.

"Verification & Removal of Contaminated NH3" by Mr. Grant Williams, AIR GAS,Inc.

"Motors 101" by Mr. William Kohr, Motor Technology, Inc.

"Halocarbon Screw Technology" by Mr. Jon Lazarow, CopelandBitzer, Inc.

"Vessel Design Function & Operation" byVirgil Jordan, RVS, Inc.

"Chemical Treatment to Stop Deterioration" by Mr. Andy Nowak, Condor Technology, Inc.

"Low Temp. Insulation" by Mr. Mike Irlbacher, Extol of Ohio, Inc.


There will also be a healthy selection of vendors there to peruse - last year I found personal portable ammonia detectors that we now use at two facilities.

I have been informed by the SEPA RETA Chairman that you do NOT have to be a RETA member to attend the event.

If you are anywhere near the Lancaster area (I'll be driving two hours to get there) please consider attending this event and/or sending your refrigeration personnel to it. This event can be documented as a PSM/RMP training exercise for plants covered by the PSM/RMP regulation.

Click Here to download the schedule of events and registration form.

Learn Refrigeration Theory

Lets say that you are new to industrial refrigeration, or refrigeration in general. What is the easiest way to get up to speed on this rather counter-intuitive topic?

Well, I read quite a few books on the subject but honestly nothing really clicked for me until I read the RETA 1 & RETA 2 books.

I pick up information fairly quickly and within 30 days of study and application of these texts I was able to troubleshoot about 95% of the industrial refrigeration problems I came across. It turns out that many people who work in industrial refrigeration simply do not understand the theory behind refrigeration.

I've even had long-time operators explain to me that "Theory is fine, but it just doesn't work in the real world." This kind of operator has usually been left to their own devices to limp along a system that just barely works. Worse yet, since they are constantly having to adjust and "fix" the system they are viewed as heroes by many in the organization.

Well, here is the truth: If, in your experience, the theory isn't applicable, then you do not understand the theory well enough.

Buy yourself a copy of the RETA 1&2 books. For a real treat, see which (if any) of your operators can pass the tests that come with the books.

p.s. Avoid the RETA 3&4 books - they are being rewritten and should be updated within the next year or so.