Boiler & Pressure Vessel Legislation in Canada PDF

^ Chapter 1 • Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers OBJECTIVE 1 Explain the purpose and the legislated authority of the "Boiler Branch" jurisdictions in Canada, and explain how Power Engineers interact with their own jurisdiction. BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL LEGISLATION IN CANADA Provincial go...

^ Chapter 1 • Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers OBJECTIVE 1 Explain the purpose and the legislated authority of the "Boiler Branch" jurisdictions in Canada, and explain how Power Engineers interact with their own jurisdiction. BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL LEGISLATION IN CANADA Provincial governments enact legislation called statutes or acts. Regulations are subordinate legislations that are passed under the authority of an act. Each province or territory has its own boiler and pressure vessel act (called the Act when referring to the act of a particular jurisdiction) and regulations. This legislation regulates the design, manufacture, installation, construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, and operation of boilers and pressure vessels. The primary purpose of this legislation is to safeguard life and property. It is, therefore, important that the Power Engineer understand these acts and regulations to do their job safely and to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation. The provincial and territorial regulations draw upon codes and standards from several organizations, including the following: the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI or National Board). The CSA codes mainly apply in Canada, while the ASME and NBBI standards are international. The ASME produces the boiler and pressure vessel code that establishes rules of safety for the construction of pressure equipment. It should be noted that none of these codes or standards hold the force of law unless and until they have been adopted by the local jurisdiction and have been declared "in force." A minister is responsible for administering this legislation on behalf of the government. However, the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the legislation is delegated to a separate agency. The agencies are either part of the government or are a third-party organization that reports to the government. 0 Terminology The Boilers Branch is an old term that is commonly applied to the government agencies that administer boiler and pressure vessel safety. Safety Authorities have the same function but they are external to the government. Formally, the terms regulatory authorities or jurisdictional authoritjes are used. All four of these terms are often used interchangeably in the field. Whicheverterm is used,these agencies have the same responsibilities. The CSA-B51 Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code defines regulatory authority as a body responsible for administering and enforcing the act governing the design, fabrication, installation, repair, and alteration of boilers, pressure vessels, fittings, and piping. The term jurisdictional authority is used by the ASME and National Board and has the same meaning as regulatory authority. 3rd Class Edition 3 - Part A2 Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers • Chapter 1 Terminology In these notes, when discussing the Boilers Branch or a safety authority, the preferred term used will be regulatory authority. To become more safety-conscious and knowledgeable about their profession, and to ensure their employer is in compliance, Power Engineers must be familiar with the regulations for the jurisdiction (province or territory) where they work, including regulations for the following: • Boiler and pressure vessel design, construction, and registration • Power Engineer certification • Pressure welding of boilers and pressure vessels The Power Engineer interacts with the regulatory authorities in several ways that are important for the safe and efficient operation of power equipment. Some examples include the following: • Completing the Power Engineers' examinations and certification • Obtaining boiler and pressure vessel certificate of inspection permits. In-service inspections may be carried out by inspectors employed by the regulatory authorities or authorized inspection companies. • Complying with pertinent regulations, such as the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulation, Operating Engineers Regulation, and Pressure Welders Regulation • Reporting all accidents and safety incidents to the regulatory authorities • Staying up to date on industry information, upgrading, and newsletters The regulatory authorities are also a resource for advice and answering questions regarding plants and operations. This is particularly important for small plants that do not have their own technical personnel as a resource. 3rd Class Edition 3 • Part A2 ^ 0 ^ Chapter 1 • Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers PROVINCIAL REGULATORY AUTHORITIES Each province and territory in Canada has an organization responsible for administering the act and regulations for boiler and pressure vessel safety. The function of these organizations is to promote and enforce public safety. In addition to registering pressure equipment and issuing permits, licenses, and certificates, the organizations work with the industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education, enforcement, and research. The following list identifies the name of the boiler and pressure vessel regulatory authority in each province and territory. Four provinces have independent, non-profit technical safety authorities: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. The rest of the provinces and territories have a government agency that administers pressure vessel safety. Jurisdiction Regulatory Authority British Columbia Technical Safety BC (formerly BC Safety Authority) Alberta Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Saskatchewan Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSask) Manitoba Inspection and Technical Services Manitoba Ontario Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Quebec Regie du Batiment Quebec (RBQ) New Brunswick Department of Public Safety, Technical Inspection Services Technical Safety Division of Nova Scotia Labour and Nova Scotia Advanced Education Prince Edward Island Inspection Services Branch (part of the Department of Agriculture and Land) Newfoundland and Labrador Service NL Nunavut Protection Services Division of Community and Government Services Northwest Territories Public Works and Services Department (Electrical and Mechanical Inspections section Yukon Yukon Community and Transportation Services, Building Safety Branch 3rd Class Edition 3 • Part A2