Directive: Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Contractor Licensing Requirements 

This directive is being issued by a provincial safety manager pursuant to section 30 of the Safety Standards Act.

General Details

This directive is being issued to clarify the requirements for obtaining and maintaining a contractor licence under the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Safety Regulation (BPVR Regulation) in accordance with the requirements of Safety Standards Act section 23.  

Definitions

Alteration – a change in any item described in the original design that affects the pressure-containing capability of the pressure-retaining component.

Assembly – the joining together of two or more components.

Inspect – includes investigate, monitor, and audit.

Licenced Contractor –a person who is licenced under section 23 of the Safety Standards Act as a licenced contractor to do regulated work in one or more disciplines specified in the licence.

Quality Control Program – a written manual that includes processes, procedures, and controls for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Regulated Product – a product or item referred to in section 2 (1) (b) of the Safety Standards Act, and if specified in the regulations, a part of that product or item. This includes; boilers and boiler systems, pressure vessels, pressure piping, fittings, safety relief valves, refrigeration systems and refrigeration equipment.

Regulated Work –

(a) the assembly, manufacture, construction, installation, operation, testing, maintenance or repair of a regulated product; and

(b) the alteration of a regulated product.

Specific Details

The following classes of contractor licence and the applicable scope of each licence is established under section 60 of the BPVR Regulation:

• A - boiler, pressure vessels, and pressure piping;
• Au - pressure vessels and pressure piping;
• Ap - pressure piping;
• B - limited capacity boiler, pressure vessels, and pressure piping;
• REF - refrigeration;
• SRV - safety valve and relief valve service;
• MA - manufacturing shop; and
• PW - pressure welding.

As part of the application for a Class A, Au, Ap, SRV, MA, and PW contractor licence, the applicant must submit a comprehensive quality control program, including a detailed scope of work identifying the regulated work that will be performed under the licence. The quality control program will be reviewed for acceptance by Technical Safety BC prior to issuance of the licence.

Please note that in accordance with section 23 (2) and (3) (a), (b) of the Safety Standards Act, once a licence is issued or renewed, the following term and condition will be attached to the licence (in addition to any other term and condition attached by the provincial safety manager):

“This contractor’s licence is limited to the scope of work detailed in the accepted quality control program. All activities performed under this licence must be done in accordance with the accepted quality control program.”

Quality Control Programs

Quality control programs must detail the licencees’ processes, procedures, and controls for maintaining compliance with the requirements applicable to the scope of work listed in their manual. Quality control programs must take into consideration all applicable regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the SSA, applicable regulations including adopted codes, directives and safety orders.

As a condition of each licence, all regulated work must be performed in accordance with the contractor’s accepted quality control program. Any changes, updates or revisions to quality control programs must be submitted to Technical Safety BC for acceptance prior to implementation.

Quality control programs must remain current and up-to-date to ensure that they accurately reflect the requirements contained in the Safety Standards Act, associated regulations including adopted codes, directives, and safety orders as amended from time to time. Prior to each licence renewal, quality control programs must be reviewed by the licencee for any changes which may impact the program, and any required revisions to the program must be submitted to Technical Safety BC for acceptance as part of the renewal process.

The following guidelines have been created to assist contractors in developing, updating, or revising their quality control programs:

Class Type

A - Guideline (BRC-7025)

Au - Guideline (BRC-7026)

Ap - Guideline (BRC-7027)

SRV - Guideline (BRC-7028)

MA - Guideline (BRC-7029)

PW - Guideline (BRC-7024)

Inspection of Quality Control Programs

Quality control programs may be subject to inspection, including investigation, monitoring and audit, by Technical Safety BC at any time. Inspection of licencee quality control programs and associated regulated activities are performed to confirm that a contractor is meeting the expectations under their licence, including but not limited to, applying all aspects of their quality control program.

Vicky Kang
Manager, Energy
Provincial Safety Manager, Boilers, Pressure Vessels, and Refrigeration

References
Safety Standards Act
Safety Standards General Regulation
Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Safety Regulation