The Drennan Refrigeration Operator Training Program is your pathway to success!
Since 1971 we have grown to provide complete engineering, design, construction, and service of refrigeration systems for a wide range of industries throughout Canada. As refrigeration contractors and engineers, we work with our clients to provide them with the best possible solutions to their refrigeration needs and problems.
B and A Training Program Information
We can accommodate up to 20 students at the same time at your place of usual business, or up to 10 students simultaneously at the Drennan Refrigeration Training Centre in Mississauga.
The course times are your option, Monday to Friday:
There is a daily half hour break for lunch, and two fifteen coffee breaks. Naturally, we travel to your plant daily during the week of the program.
There is also an option of 20 two-hour evenings, (five weeks) on MS Teams. Please inquire for more information about our part-time online, MS Teams evening option.
The Drennan Refrigeration Operator Training Program focuses on teaching in line with the TSSA Refrigeration Operator B Syllabus firmly in mind and using it 100% for direction.
Drennan Refrigeration also prepares certified refrigeration B operators to challenge the TSSA refrigeration operator A exam.
Training Material
One of our instructors will help you or your colleague(s) to pass the TSSA refrigeration B exam.
One of our instructors will help you or your colleague(s) to pass the TSSA refrigeration A exam.
We train everyone in your refrigerated facility to understand the nature and physical properties of anhydrous ammonia, to better respond to a possible ammonia leak in your refrigeration plant.
This publication is used in conjunction with our RPO Upgrade Training Series. Your RPOs will level up to a better understanding of refrigeration plant operation!
We can learn from actual ammonia accident events to understand how to prevent them in your ammonia refrigeration plant. By carefully considering the Work Safe BC accident investigation report and analysis of the Fernie BC Memorial Arena ammonia leak in conjunction with Work Safe BC webinar "Fernie BC Memorial Arena - Findings and Recommendations for Refrigeration Contractors/Mechanics, as well as an in-depth review of the animated video Fernie Memorial Arena Incident Animation | WorkSafeBC, your plant will be safer and your RPOs will be better prepared to handle any emergency.
The academic supplement is used in conjunction with refrigeration B and A exam preparation course work.
This publication is used in conjunction with two series of training, Safety First and Work Safe.
This publication is used as an excellent diagrammatical and visual aid in conjunction with our RPO Upgrading training series, and is also a part of the refrigeration B and A exam preparation package of books.
This publication is presented to assist with your company/organization, (management) understanding the implications of OSHA and E2-Environmental Regulations as they apply to your ammonia refrigeration plant.
In Ontario, entering an ammonia room requires a thorough safety procedure, including proper personal protective equipment (PPE), a possible confined space entry plan, and monitoring for ammonia levels, as outlined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and relevant regulations.
This book is the second of three publications used in conjunction with our training series “RPO Upgrading.”
We upgrade your Refrigeration Plant Operators with our training series “RPO Upgrading.” Level up to greater understanding of commercial industrial refrigeration plant operation, for better practical application and greater outcomes. This is just one of the three books that are part of the RPO Upgrading series of training programs.
From our Safety-First training series, the purpose of this safety guide is to promote the safe operation and use of ammonia refrigerating systems by considering an analysis of ammonia refrigeration accidents and learning from them. This publication is used in conjunction with Safety Guide of Ammonia Refrigerating Systems, Accident Prevention and Response Manual for Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System Operators and Work Safe BC Fernie BC Memorial Arena incident investigation report in tandem with the Work Safe BC webinar and accident summary animation video.
This publication is one of three books used in conjunction with our Ammonia Safety and Awareness training program.
Topics Covered
Over the course of 5, 8-hour days in person, or 20 two-hour evenings, (five weeks) on MS Teams, students learn the following:
The candidate is expected to be able to locate information relating to the staffing, operation, maintenance, inspection, and testing of the compressor plant and its equipment resourcing the:
1.1 Technical Standards & Safety Act, 2000
1.2 Operating Engineers Regulation and Directors Orders
1.3 Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation
1.4 CSA B52: Mechanical Refrigeration Code
1.5 SA Z94.4 Selection, Care and use of Respirators
1.6 CEPA E2 Environmental Emergency Regulations
The candidate is expected to be able to fully explain the dangers associated with the operation of a refrigeration plant and state the precautions to be taken to minimize or prevent such dangers.
2.1 gas detection and monitoring
2.2 gas exposure limits 2.3 personal protective equipment
2.4 basic WHIMIS
2.5 isolation (electrical & mechanical), confined space and fall protection
3.1 mechanical drawing
3.2 maintenance planning
3.3 materials and welding
3.4 basic communication
The candidate must demonstrate an understanding of refrigeration fundamentals, including:
4.1 identifying basic thermodynamic principles
4.2 a basic understanding of gas behaviour
4.3 differentiating between CFC’s, HCFC’s and HFC refrigerants
4.4 an awareness of the environmental impact that each type of refrigerant can pose
4.5 a thorough understanding of the purpose of the components of a vapour compression refrigeration cycle
4.6 a thorough understanding of the compression refrigeration cycle, including the function of the:
4.6.1 -compressor -condenser -metering device -evaporator
4.7 the basic operating principle of an absorption refrigeration system
4.8 direct and indirect refrigeration systems
4.9 the use of secondary refrigerants, the mediums used and the applications of such coolants as used in the commercial and industrial sector
4.10 the essential qualities of a good refrigerant such as the main properties of:
4.10.1 -R-134A -R-22 -R-717 4.11 types of refrigeration systems and their associated equipment
4.11.1 -direct expansion -flooded -liquid overfeed -low pressure receivers -liquid recirculation pumps
4.12 lubrication principles
The candidate must demonstrate an understanding of compressors, including the:
5.1 main types of refrigeration compressors and have a basic understanding of each type, including packaged types
5.2 application and the types of “booster” compressors used within a two-stage or compound refrigeration system
5.3 main types of prime movers used to drive refrigeration compressors
5.4 difference between hermetic, semi-hermetic and open –type compressors
5.5 methods used to prevent leakage of refrigerant at the compressor shaft and of preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
5.6 different methods employed to control the “capacity” of the various types of refrigeration compressors, including start-stop, slide valves (variable clearance volume), variable frequency drives, etc.
5.7 two-stage centrifugal chillers
5.8 compressor cooling
5.9 main types of refrigeration pumps and a basic understanding of each type and principles
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the controls and accessories, including:
6.1 basic computer control and instrumentation
6.2 six commonly used types of refrigerant flow metering devices used to control the flow of refrigerants
6.3 the operation of a thermostatic expansion valve
6.4 the function, principle of operation and the location(s) of the following controllers:
6.4.1 -temperature and/or pressure actuated -humidity actuated -evaporator pressure regulator -condenser cooling water regulating valve
6.5 the safety controls used in a refrigeration system, and the operation of each type, such as:
6.5.1 -high pressure cut-out -low pressure cut-out -oil failure protection -high discharge cut-outs -high oil temperature cut-out -motor overload devices
6.6 the function and location of the following components in a system:
6.6.1 -oil separators in reciprocating compressors -oil separators in screw compressors -suction strainers and scale traps -filter- driers -moisture indicators -crankcase heaters in reciprocating compressors and oil heaters in screw compressors -oil stills -purge and charging valves -pressure relief devices
6.7 the type of piping/tubing allowed for the different types of refrigerants
6.8 the use of receivers in a refrigeration system, their location, and the Code required safety fittings attached, including:
6.8.1 –high pressure receivers -low pressure receivers -intermediate or controlled pressure receivers
6.9 the methods employed to control humidity
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of condensers and cooling towers, including the:
7.1 different types of air-cooled and water-cooled condensers
7.2 evaporative type condenser and the effects of humidity on this type of condenser’s operation
7.3 main factors on which the rate of heat transfer is dependent on in a cooling tower
7.4 evaporative cooling effect and its consequences
7.5 need for water treatment and the water tests required
7.6 ability to recognize bacteria concerns associated with water sumps and what can be done to prevent associated risks
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of evaporators and cooling coils, including the:
8.1 construction and application for each of the following:
8.1.1 -bare tube construction -fin and tube construction -plate type construction
8.2 chillers, including:
8.2.1 –shell & tube construction -plate and frame construction
8.3 differences between a “dry expansion” (also called “direct expansion”) and a “flooded expansion” and “liquid overfeed” evaporators
8.4 thermal storage systems
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of operation and maintenance, including:
9.1 the refrigeration leak tests used
9.2 how you would start-up and shut down a single-stage refrigeration compressor
9.3 how air is removed from an operating system, including both manual and automatic purging
9.4 how to add oil to a running compressor and an understanding of basic refrigerant charging
9.5 some common reasons for the following conditions:
9.5.1 -failure of a compressor to start -causes for compressor short cycling -causes of continuous operation of the compressor under light loads or while system cooling is not required -discharge pressure too high or too low -suction pressure too high or too low
9.6 the maintenance requirements for compressors, system pumps, valves, metering devices, evaporators and condensers to ensure safe and continuous operation
9.7 the precautions to be taken when draining oil separators to prevent unsafe conditions
9.8 the methods used to defrost evaporators with the emphasis on industrial/commercial refrigeration defrost methods
9.9 what crystallization is with respect to absorption refrigeration systems
9.10 oil removal from refrigeration systems
9.11 pumping down systems
9.12 equipment isolation
9.13 low temperature receivers
9.14 low temperature liquid recirculation (liquid overfeed)
9.15 chemical treatment for condensers and cooling towers
Candidates must demonstrate a basic understanding of electricity and calculations:
10.1 the use and function of the following electrical components: circuit breakers, relays, rheostats, fuses, electrical switches and safety cut-outs
10.2 the dangers and maintenance requirements of electric motors
10.3 the basic differences with motor starters and the application of different types
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of air conditioning, including:
11.1 the psychrometrics of air and the air conditioning factors that affect comfort
11.2 the ability to analyze/demonstrate on a psychrometric chart the behaviour of air when subjected to cooling, humidification and dehumidification
11.3 the different categories of air conditioning systems
11.4 how Legionnaires Disease can be drawn into ventilation systems and being able to recognize the effects of the disease
12.1 elementary mathematics
12.2 elementary mechanics and dynamics
12.3 elementary thermodynamics
CALCULATIONS: The candidate should be able to perform basic refrigeration calculations to solve for compression capacity, ratio, cylinder volume, volumetric efficiency, system tonnage and calculations based on CSA B-52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code. Calculation questions will be stated so that they can be performed either in S.I. or in Imperial.
Pricing
Our exam preparation service pricing has not increased since 2021.
There is an additional charge for PanGlobal study materials, (books) and additional printed publications to fill in knowledge gaps that PanGlobal does not cover.There are also two outstanding digital refrigeration reference books for each student, which are complimentary when ordering any RPO exam preparatory course.
There is a flat fee weekly travel charge of $1,200, plus HST, for each week that our exam preparation service personnel travels to your plant, usual place of business, or the appropriate study location of your direction and choosing.
Sign UpFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. There are two classic digital refrigeration books for each new student. Sign up and find out what they are!
Yes. There is a handsome frame worthy certificate for each student that completes the TSSA exam preparation for refrigeration operator B or A.
Yes. Instructors are accessible from 6 AM to 11 PM, Monday to Friday. You may also engage with instructors on weekends between 12 noon and 11 PM on Saturdays or 6 PM to 11 PM on Sundays at no extra charge. All times noted are Eastern Standard Time.
Contact Us to Sign Up
Drennan Refrigeration has Refrigeration Operators and Operating Engineers up to the First Class level to help you stay compliant for as long as you need us at your plant. You call, and we will have a TSSA certified operator at your door step in under 2 hours in most cases.
1745 Bonhill Road
Mississauga, ON, L5T 1C1
Cell: 437.928.5828
Office: 519.453.9100
Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 6:00PM
