Design registration

To better serve you during the impact of COVID-19, design registrations can now be submitted online for boilers and pressure equipment, welding procedures, and gas technologies. Availability of online design registration for all other technologies will follow. Currently, there are longer than expected wait-times to process any couriered mail submissions.

Special Message for Pressure Fittings Statutory Declarations: We understand there may be difficulties obtaining a public notary or Commissioner of Oaths authentication during COVID-19 restrictions. Technical Safety BC does not require an original copy of the notarized form, but is accepting scanned and electronic signed forms. If you are unable to obtain a notarization electronically, please clearly indicate this on the Statutory Declaration form in lieu of the notarization signature while continuing to have the form signed by the manufacturer.

Are you designing or modifying complex, technical, and regulated equipment in BC?

Or perhaps you are an owner who needs to operate, purchase, install, or commission regulated equipment in BC? It’s required by the Safety Standards Act and Regulations to have the design registered through Technical Safety BC.

Regulated equipment and system technologies include:

Boilers, pressure vessels, refrigeration, piping, fittings

New, used, or re-rated boilers, unfired pressure vessels, and heat exchangers

Boilers and pressure equipment, as defined in the Safety Standards Act and Regulations require design registration in accordance to CSA B51 “Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code.” The standards governing the design and construction of boilers and pressure vessels are the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, except as otherwise detailed in BSA B51 or the regulation.

What you’ll need for your design registration

Design criteria and scope for registration
Drawings, general arrangement design, authenticated by a Professional Engineer
Calculations or simulation output, authenticated by a Professional Engineer

View more detailed document checklists for:

Additionally, please note the following, if they apply to you:

Buried pressure vessels
Designs of pressure vessels to be buried underground must satisfy conditions of the environment it will be buried in, and demonstrate that the vessel can safely withstand external loading imposed by the material, structures, and activity above and around the vessel.

Boilers and pressure vessels without full ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code compliance
Constructed outside of Canada or the USA, manufacturers can submit documentation and evidence that the quality control system and procedures are equivalent to the appropriate ASME Sections (Section I for power boilers, Section IV for heating boilers, Section VIII for pressure vessels).

Pressure fittings

Pressure fittings as defined in the Safety Standards Act and Safety Regulations, require design registration in accordance to Clause 4.2 of CSA B51, "Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code."

What you’ll need for your design registration

British Columbia Statutory Declaration Form (statutory declarations from other provinces may be accepted. Review the guide for preparing statutory declarations.
Drawings or catalogues detailing dimensions, material specifications, pressure / temperature ratings and markings.
Documentation from a regulatory authority / inspection agency that verifies manufacturer’s quality control program meets all requirements in Annex F of CSA B51.
Applicable general arrangement and design details, including calculations and engineering design content, where applicable.

View the detailed document checklist

Pressure piping

Pressure piping systems are a series of pipes, tubes, conduits, gaskets, bolts, and other components that convey an expansible fluid, thermal fluid, or non-expansible fluid between two points. When in use, the working pressure within these systems is over 1100 kPa and the operating temperature exceeds 121⁰ C. These systems are regulated by Technical Safety BC and require a design registration.

The following pressure piping systems are exempt from design registration:

Pressure piping external to a boiler proper in a low pressure, low temperature fluid plant that operates at a working pressure of 206 kPa or less and a temperature of 100 ⁰ C or less; or
Pressure piping operating at and with a pressure relief valve set at 103 kPa or less.
Pressure piping NPS 3 or smaller (however, the system must comply with all regulation and code requirements).

It is the responsibility of the piping designer to understand the intended operating conditions, installation interfaces, and the environment where the piping will be installed. Safe operation must be assured throughout the pressure piping system’s life cycle.

What you’ll need for your design registration

Piping isometric and/or pipe stress isometric
Pipe stress summary output
Line list and P&ID for the system design

View the detailed document checklist

Additionally, please note the following, if they apply to you:

All design details stamped by a qualified Professional Engineer.
Oil and gas piping requires registration if the pressure piping meets the requirements of CSA B51.

Welding procedure registration

Performing a pressure weld or brazing on regulated pressure equipment in BC may require design registration, as defined in the Safety Standards Act and Safety Regulations, in accordance with CSA B51, "Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code." Welding procedures registration is not required if the welding or brazing is not conducted in BC.

What you’ll need for your design registration

Completed welding procedure specification (WPS) QW 482 from ASME Section IX. Address all essential and non-essential variables. If supplemental variables apply, address all points as listed in ASME Section IX with a reading, a figure, a yes or a no.
A procedure qualification record (PQR) QW 483 from ASME Section IX certified by the party preparing the record with your application.
Weld procedure specification report, if any available, and any other forms or reports.

Gas equipment and systems

Gas system processing, storage, re-fuelling, and offloading

Gas systems, including any hydrocarbon-based sources such as Hydrogen (H2), natural gas liquids (NGL), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas processing, storage, and offloading that are intended to be used for combustion, require design registration by a certified individual. Examples of these systems may be propane fuel back-up systems, vehicle fuel filling stations, bio gas production facilities, or bulk storage plants.

What you’ll need for your design registration

P&ID, drawings, and site layout
Specifications used to select fittings/components
Content demonstrating compliance to CSA B149.1, B149.2, or B149.3

View detailed document checklists for:

Propane back-up systems
Fuelling systems
Bulk storage plants

Gas-fired equipment

Gas-fired equipment such as boilers and turbines in power plants, pulp and paper mills, mineral processing plants, oil and gas refineries require design registration. This can also include use in movie and stage effects, where a standard does not exist and must be registered in accordance with design registration BC Natural Gas and Propane Code.

What you need for your design registration

P&ID
Control Narrative
Burner Management System Diagram (BMS)
Specifications
HAZOP Summary, authenticated by a Professional Engineer

View the detailed document checklist

Bio gas digesters and landfill production and storage

Bio gas digesters and landfill production and storage facilities require design registration. Examples can be found at Lulu Island’s bio gas plant in metro Vancouver, or gas digesters at pulp and paper mills across BC. Where a standard does not exist, these plants are registered according to the BC Natural Gas and Propane Code.

What you’ll need for your design registration

P&ID
Control Narrative
Burner Management System Diagram (BMS)
Specifications
HAZOP Summary, authenticated by a Professional Engineer

View the detailed document checklist

Unapproved appliances

Unapproved appliances require design registration according to CAN/CSA B149.3

What you’ll need for your design registration

Drawings
Specifications

View the detailed document checklist

Flame effects for movie and theatrical stage effects

Movie and theatrical stage effects that use gas combustion and controlled explosions for a flame effect, such as a live concert or staged public event, filming of a movie, or stunt coordination requires design registration. When a standard does not exist, it is registered in accordance with the BC Natural Gas and Propane Code.

Elevating devices

Elevating devices such as hydraulic and electric elevators, construction hoist elevators, or escalators require a design registration application submitted by a licensed contractor if they are to be installed or altered. Design registration is also applicable to those seeking variances (or exemptions) from safety code requirements and those working on cab modernizations.

Cab modernizations, such as upgrading elevator components to: meet safety codes or safety order requirements; improve speed, function, aesthetics, or performance must be reviewed through design registration. Learn more about what’s considered a major or minor alteration.

All designs must meet the requirements of CSA B44-16 safety code for elevators and escalators. Licensed contractors can register the design.

What you’ll need for your design registration

Drawings
Specifications

Amusement devices

Fixed and travelling amusement devices require design registration before installation. These can include Electro-mechanical designs for public use and entertainment; inflatables; and waterslides in and outside of amusement parks.

Licensed amusement device contractors can register the design but must have a professional, BC-licensed engineer validate conformance of their device. Inflatable amusement devices do not require conformance validation.

Permanent installations will require proof of ownership or permission to use the land at location of installation. Proof can be provided through crown land lease or land title documents, for example.

What you’ll need for your design registration

Technical documentation drawings
Calculations
Operating and maintenance manuals
Operator training procedures and inspection checklists

Additionally, please note the following, if they apply to you:

A professional engineer’s seal to validate conformance of the above (except inflatable devices)
Proof of ownership or permission to use the land at location of installation (for permanent installations only)

Passenger ropeways

Ropeway systems for public use and entertainment, including gondolas, ski lifts, and ziplines require a design registration according to the Safety Standards Act, Elevating Devices Safety Regulation.

What you’ll need for your design registration

Letter of application
Location plan, profile and route map
Proof of ownership of, or permission to use the land that a passenger ropeway will operate on

Registration is important

A registered design at Technical Safety BC demonstrates that the equipment design meets the standard of professional reliance and follows the requirements of the Safety Standards Act and Regulations.

By registering your design, you are also becoming a part of a larger safety system that minimizes safety risks associated with regulated equipment. Each design registered strengthens the data that Technical Safety BC uses to determine areas of highest risk in the province, identify trends, and make informed decisions about codes and standards.

Design registration has many benefits for owners, engineers, and professionals:

Store and recall your registered designs electronically.
Receive guidance, risk analysis, and feedback for your design.
Learn about any risks or hazards related to your design that Technical Safety BC has noted. This allows organizations the opportunity to implement changes before the product is built, saving time and money.
Prevent incidents from occurring in your equipment. Read about findings from our incident investigations if your equipment is affected.

Requirements

Professional engineers involved with the design of regulated equipment are required to authenticate a design which reliably demonstrates that engineered safety considerations, professional accountability, and professional reliance were exercised as part of the design development.

Technical Safety BC conducts an assessment of each submission. We see whether a qualified professional has evaluated the design with recognized and generally accepted, good engineering practices, along with our safety standards.

Design registration must occur before the construction, installation, and maintenance of the regulated equipment or technology.

Register your design through our online service

First time using our online design registration service? Create your online account.

If you have any questions, email us at EIM@technicalsafetybc.ca.