Frick Company, headquartered in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was one of America’s leading manufacturers of ammonia refrigeration compressors, reciprocating refrigeration machinery, and cold storage systems for marine, industrial, and commercial applications. Frick supplied the United States Navy with provision refrigeration systems for enlisted crew and officer mess cold storage, ice-making machinery for ship’s service ice production, and refrigeration compressor equipment for naval vessel food preservation systems throughout the mid-20th century. Frick ammonia refrigeration systems installed in naval vessels used reciprocating ammonia compressors driving a closed-loop refrigeration cycle with ammonia refrigerant, with the compressor, condenser, receiver, and evaporator components connected by ammonia refrigerant piping throughout the refrigeration system. Frick reciprocating ammonia compressors incorporated asbestos-containing braided packing in compressor valve stem stuffing boxes and in piston rod gland assemblies, and the ammonia refrigerant piping throughout the ship incorporated asbestos pipe covering insulation on cold suction piping to prevent condensation. Machinist’s Mates maintaining Frick refrigeration compressors and systems in naval vessel provision spaces and engineering spaces encountered asbestos packing, gasket, and pipe insulation materials throughout refrigeration system maintenance operations.

Ammonia Compressor Packing and Valve Gasket Asbestos

Frick ammonia compressors incorporated asbestos in packing and sealing assemblies:

  • Compressor piston rod gland packing — Frick reciprocating ammonia refrigeration compressors used asbestos-containing braided packing in the compressor piston rod stuffing box glands, sealing the reciprocating piston rods against ammonia refrigerant leakage from the compressor cylinder. Machinist’s Mates repacking Frick compressor piston rod glands removed compressed asbestos packing rings from the stuffing box bore and installed replacement asbestos packing during routine compressor maintenance, with the packing removal and installation disturbing asbestos braided packing material and releasing asbestos fiber at the compressor maintenance work area
  • Suction and discharge valve gaskets — Frick ammonia compressor suction valve covers and discharge valve covers used asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the valve cover-to-cylinder flange joints. Machinist’s Mates removing compressor valve covers for valve inspection and valve plate replacement encountered and replaced asbestos valve cover gasket materials during each valve maintenance operation
  • Compressor cylinder head gaskets — Frick reciprocating compressor cylinder head joints used asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials, providing refrigerant-tight sealing between the cylinder head and cylinder body. Machinist’s Mates removing cylinder heads for compressor internal inspection or piston and ring maintenance encountered and disturbed the asbestos cylinder head gasket during the disassembly process

Ammonia Refrigeration Pipe Insulation Asbestos

Frick refrigeration system piping incorporated asbestos pipe insulation:

  • Suction line pipe insulation — the ammonia refrigerant suction piping from evaporator coils back to Frick compressor suction connections in naval vessel provision refrigeration systems was insulated with asbestos pipe covering to prevent condensation on the cold suction line surfaces. Machinist’s Mates performing repairs on ammonia refrigerant piping encountered asbestos pipe covering on suction line piping throughout the refrigeration system
  • Provision refrigeration space pipe insulation — the refrigerant piping in provision refrigeration spaces, cold storage rooms, and ice machine rooms incorporated asbestos pipe covering on cold suction piping throughout the provision refrigeration system

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Frick Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy refrigeration system maintenance. Machinist’s Mates who maintained Frick Company refrigeration compressors and systems in naval vessel provision and engineering spaces and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.