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New requirements for unregistered boilers, pressure vessels come into effect

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has released detailed requirements for boilers, pressure vessels (BPV), fitting and pipings used for agricultural purposes in Ontario. These requirements start July 1, 2021.

First announced last year, the exemption that was previously in place for agricultural BPVs was revoked last summer due to growing safety concerns.

All new and existing installations of boilers, pressure vessels (BPV), fitting and pipings used for agricultural purposes in Ontario must comply with regulatory and code requirements.

New installations

For new installations, a TSSA BPV inspector conducts an installation inspection of all pressure equipment before it can be placed into service. Upon successful completion, TSSA issues a Certificate of Inspection (COI).

Once the owners and operators have received a COI, the certified equipment will then be subject to periodic inspection by a qualified inspector – owners must request an inspection either from their insurer or from TSSA as appropriate prior to the expiry date on their Certificate of Inspection. More information is available online and a background document here:

• TSSA BPV Backgrounder: May 27 2021

Manufacturers of pressure equipment must register their designs with the TSSA, and the designs must meet the requirements of the applicable North American code. Once approved, a Canadian Registration Number (CRN) is issued, which must be marked on the nameplate of every boiler and pressure vessel by the manufacturer. Manufacturers, fabricators, contractors, assemblers or repair organizations of pressure equipment must have a valid Certificate of Authorization.

Existing installations

All existing, unregistered boilers and pressure vessels (BPV) that need repair, alteration, upgrading and/or replacement; as well as their associated piping systems, will be regulated come July 1. For specifics, download the bulletin here:

• Communication on requirements for repairing and altering BPV in agricultural operations starting July 1_(June 4 2021)

TSSA is currently developing a plan, which will be phased in over five years, to bring all currently installed BPVs used for agricultural purposes into compliance.  The previously stated March 1 deadline for registered existing installations was amended.

“The information collected through the form will be used by TSSA to do a risk-based assessment and establish a priority list for scheduling inspections based on the type of device, its location and whether it is covered by insurance. More details will be available in the coming weeks when the form is released,” says the release.

Owners, operators and insurers are advised to review new obligations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000’s Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B51:19 Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code

With files from: TSSA