Information Bulletin: Minor repair and routine maintenance

The following information bulletin is being issued to explain what kinds of activities are considered “minor repairs” and “routine maintenance,” as referenced in Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation, section 62.(3).
 

What types of repairs are considered “minor repairs”?

A minor repair is an activity that restores the regulated product to safe operating condition, and does not alter the regulated item’s rating and specifications. In addition:

• The restoration process cannot involve any type of pressure welding or brazing
• When minor repairs include replacement of parts and/or items, the replaced items must have the same technical specification as the original parts
• When threaded components are involved in a minor repair activity, the parts must be pre-threaded by the supplier

Here is an example of a “minor repair”: an existing part is removed and replaced with a part of the same technical specification without involvement of welding or brazing. Parts involved in a minor repair may include:

• Fittings, valves, flanges, piping, and bolting
• Parts that are provided by the original manufacturer of the equipment
• Control devices, sensors, pressure gauges, temperature gauges, and other instrumentation
• Pressure relief devices
• Gaskets, seals, packing, O-rings, and other similar sealing devices

Note: repairs referenced in NBIC Part 3, including “Routine Repair” defined in clause 3.3.2 and “examples of repairs” defined in clause 3.3.3, are not considered “minor repairs.”
 

What types of activities are considered “routine maintenance”?
 

Routine maintenance refers to an activity conducted while equipment and systems are in service and in operation. Generally, this kind of activity is scheduled on a time-based or meter-based schedule, derived from preventative or predictive maintenance strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of unplanned shutdowns. These activities must be predictable, scheduled and preplanned.

Some examples of routine maintenance include the following:

• Visual inspections
• Cleaning
• Functional tests
• Measurement of operating quantities/parameters
• Removing oil from refrigeration systems
   

Who may perform routine maintenance or minor repairs?
 

As per PEBPVR Safety Regulation section 62.(3), owners who hold an operating permit for the regulated item, or an employee of such an owner, may perform minor repairs and routine maintenance without holding a boiler or refrigeration contractor's licence.

Any person performing a minor repair or routine maintenance under an operating permit must be either:

• The certified/qualified operator of the regulated equipment
• A competent employee of the operating permit holder
• An appropriately classed licensed contractor

The only exception is for refrigeration plants. Section 5.(2) of the PEBPVR Safety Regulation limits any repair or maintenance on a refrigeration plant to the following:

• Anyone who holds a fourth-class or higher power engineer’s certificate of qualification
• Refrigeration mechanics

Other individuals may also perform minor repairs and routine maintenance in a refrigeration plant as long as it is directly supervised by the holder of certification/qualifications listed above.
 

Is record keeping needed for minor repairs and routine maintenance?
 

The operating permit holder should keep detailed records of the minor repairs and/or routine maintenance performed on their regulated product. Record keeping will help investigations of any incidents and could be used as proof of owners doing their due diligence to maintain the safe operation of the regulated product.

 

David Gionet
Provincial Safety Manager – Energy

 

References:

Safety Standards Act
Electrical Safety Regulation
Elevating Devices Safety Regulation
Gas Safety Regulation
Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Safety Regulation
Safety Standards General Regulation
Safety Standards Act Repeal and Transitional Provisions Regulations