The purpose of this standard is to specify safe design, construction, installation, and operation of refrigerating systems. This code applies to mechanical refrigerating systems and heat pumps used in the occupancies defined in Section 4 and installed subsequently to adoption of this code; and to parts or components added after adoption of this code, or a change to a refrigerant of a different number designation after adoption of this code; and to parts or components replaced after adoption of this code only if they are not identical in function.

This standard is under continuous maintenance, which is a process ASHRAE uses to keep standards current through the issuance of addenda, or revisions.

These addenda can be downloaded for free at the following page of the ASHRAE web site:
http://www.ashrae.org/technology/page/132.

Interpretations of the standard, issued by the sponsoring technical committee, also may be downloaded for free at the following address:
http://www.ashrae.org/technology/page/121

Errata lists are issued occasionally and may be downloaded for free at the following address:
http://www.ashrae.org/technology/page/120