Design registration

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 signed by a qualified originator or simulation output, authenticated by a Professional Engineer

View more detailed document checklists for:

• New boilers and pressure vessels
• New Heat Exchangers
• Used or re-rated boilers, pressure vessels, or heat exchangers
• Buried pressure vessels
• Boilers and pressure vessels without ASME certification

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. Learn more

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).

Pneumatic Testing
Pneumatic testing must be included in submissions if the calculated stored energy of a compressed gas is >1677 kJ. All content must be reviewed and authenticated by a professional engineer and include calculations, spacing, and an assessment that discloses and mitigates hazards (ie. FMEA, HAZID, HAZOP, Fault Tree, or Bow Tie Analysis). Learn More

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 100⁰ 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:

• Qualified professional requirements
  All design details must be authenticated or reviewed by a qualified professional engineer.
   
• Oil and gas piping requirements
  Oil and gas piping requires registration if the pressure piping meets the requirements of CSA B51. Learn more.
   
• Pneumatic Testing
  Pneumatic testing must be included in submissions if the calculated stored energy of a compressed gas is >1677 kJ. All content must be reviewed and authenticated by a professional engineer and include calculations, spacing, and an assessment that discloses and mitigates hazards (ie. FMEA, HAZID, HAZOP, Fault Tree, or Bow Tie Analysis). Learn More

Welding and brazing procedure registration

Welding or brazing on regulated pressure equipment in BC may require registration. The welding and brazing procedures must be registered in accordance with Section 78 of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation and CSA B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code.

Welding and Brazing procedures must be registered with the regulatory authority of the province or territory where the welding or brazing is to be performed.

Welding and brazing procedures for pressure equipment made outside Canada must be registered or approved by the Authorized Inspection Agency performing the Code inspections.

What you’ll need for your welding procedure registration

• Completed welding procedure specification (WPS) using the QW-482 from ASME Section IX. The completed WPS must describe all of the essential, nonessential and when required, supplementary essential variables for each welding process used in the WPS. These should be addressed with a reading, a figure, or a yes or no.
• Completed procedure qualification record(s) (PQR) using the QW-483 from ASME Section IX to support the WPS. The PQR(s) must be certified accurate by the licensed contractor and the licensed contractor must not subcontract the certification function.
• Copies of any applicable laboratory reports for mechanical testing, non-destructive examination or other forms or reports.

What you’ll need for your brazing procedure registration

• Completed brazing procedure specification (BPS) using the QB-482 from ASME Section IX. The completed BPS must describe all of the essential and nonessential variables for each brazing process used in the BPS. These should be addressed with a reading, a figure, or a yes or no.
• Completed procedure qualification record(s) (PQR) using the QB-483 from ASME Section IX to support the BPS. The PQR(s) must be certified accurate by the licensed contractor and the licensed contractor must not subcontract the certification function.
• Copies of any applicable laboratory reports for mechanical testing, non-destructive examination or other forms or reports.

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

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)

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