Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Design Registration
Overview
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.”
To Register a Design
- Log in to our online Design Registration Portal. See How to Register for more details on how to create an account.
- Select and complete the applicable webform.
- Upload and attach all supporting engineering documentation and acknowledge your professional declaration. The professional declaration certifies that the submitted design is safe for construction and use, complies with the standards identified in the application, was created under the supervision of, or has been reviewed by a qualified professional. It also certifies that the skill and experience necessary to design and evaluate compliance to the identified standards were applied to the best of the professional’s knowledge.
- Review all applicable checklists, codes, and regulations to make sure your submission is complete and accurate. Additional fees may apply for incomplete applications, as per our fee schedule.
All applications must be submitted through the Design Registration Portal, or they will be rejected.
New, Used, or Re-Rated
Applicable Codes
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 CSA B51 or the regulation. Refer to the following checklists to preview the engineering documentation requirements:
- 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
Additional Considerations
Buried Pressure Vessels
Designs of pressure vessels to be buried underground must satisfy conditions of the environment it will be buried in by demonstrating 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).
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 Piping
Pressure piping, as defined by the regulation, means a system of pipes, tubes, conduits, gaskets, bolts and other components, the sole purpose of which is the conveyance of
(a) an expansible fluid, or
(b) a non-expansible fluid or thermal fluid with an operating temperature exceeding 121 °C or a working pressure exceeding 1100 kPa
between 2 or more points
Applicable Codes
The following pressure piping systems are some of the recognized design codes for pressure piping. For the complete latest list, refer to the Adopted Codes and Standards section of the regulation.
- ASME B31.1 – Power Piping Code
- ASME B31.3 – Process Piping Code
- ASME B31.5 – Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer
- ASME B31.9 – Building Services Piping
- CSA B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code
Pressure piping that is NPS 3 or less is exempt from design registration however, the system must still comply with all Regulation and Code requirements.
Additional Considerations
Heating Plant Exemption Clarification
In response to industry feedback, we are clarifying the design registration requirements for pressure piping and fittings associated with a heating plant or a low temperature, low pressure fluid plant.
Pressure piping and fittings associated with a heating plant or a low temperature, low pressure fluid plant are exempt from the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Safety Regulation (the regulation) under section 3(2)(m), this includes but is not limited to the requirement for design registration.
Please see the flow chart located here for more information on the scope and applicability of section 3(2)(m) of the regulation.
Legacy Pressure Piping
Non-expansible fluid and thermal fluid piping systems commissioned before April 1, 2009 are considered legacy and require design registration when they undergo an alteration. Legacy systems that are not being altered, are not subject to registration solely due to the change in definition. To find out more, please view the information bulletin here.
Operating Conditions
It is the responsibility of the piping designer to understand the intended operating conditions of the range of design pressures, operating temperatures and the environment where the piping will be installed.
The qualified professional must consider these temperature changes to adequately capture the piping system’s flexibility.
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.
Pressure Fittings
Applicable Codes
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."
As per CSA B51 “Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code”, a properly completed Declaration of Conformity for registration of fittings should be provided in support of an application for a new fitting design registration or a re-registration.
Please check our Guide for completing the Declaration of Conformity for instructions on how to complete the statutory declaration form.
Welding and Brazing Procedures
Applicable Codes
Welding or brazing on regulated pressure equipment in BC may require design registration and must be registered with the regulatory authority of the province or territory where the welding or brazing is to be performed, 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 for pressure equipment made outside Canada must be registered or approved by the Authorized Inspection Agency performing the Code inspections.