Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers PDF

Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers • Chapter 1 OBJECTIVE 2 Describe the general content of a typical boiler and pressure vessel act and its associated regulations. UNDERSTANDING ACTS AND REGULATIONS All Power Engineers should obtain copies of the relevant acts and regulations for boilers, p...

Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers • Chapter 1 OBJECTIVE 2 Describe the general content of a typical boiler and pressure vessel act and its associated regulations. UNDERSTANDING ACTS AND REGULATIONS All Power Engineers should obtain copies of the relevant acts and regulations for boilers, pressure vessels, and operators for their respective province or territory. Having a working knowledge of this legislation enables Power Engineers to ensure their plant meets the legal requirements for their jurisdiction. Regarding boiler and pressure vessel safety, an act is a law passed by a provincial or territorial legislature, while regulations are rules that address the details and practical application of the act for certain types of equipment. Acts, by nature, are general in content. They are meant to address extremely broad topics. Regulations, on the other hand, get specific. They expand upon and clarify the broad topics of an act. As an example of the difference between an act and a regulation, consider the following: The Safety Codes Act of Alberta has this to say, in part, about regulations: 65(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations for: (f) governing the qualifications of safety codes officers and applicants for and holders of permits and certificates of competency The Power Engineers Regulation of Alberta goes further than this and gets quite specific. In part, it states the following: Qualifications, Equivalencies, and Applications for Certificates 1st Class Power Engineer's examination 16(1) To qualify to take a 1st Class Power Engineer s Certificate of Competency examination, a candidate must hold a 2nd Class Power Engineer's Certificate of Competency. (2) A 1st Class Power Engineers Certificate of Competency examination must consist of questions relating to the subjects contained in the current reference syllabus established by the Administrator for the 1st Class Power Engineers Certificate of Section 16.1 AR 85/2003 POWER ENGINEERS REGULATION 22 Competency examination and must be divided into 2 parts, lettered A and B. (3) To pass a 1st Class Power Engineer s Certificate of Competency examination, a candidate must obtain at least 65% of the total marks allotted for each examination paper. The act says that a regulation may be created to address the qualifications of certificates of competency, and the regulation fills in the details. 3rd Class Edition 3 - Part A2 ^ Chapter 1 • Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers There are two general ways in which pressure equipment legislation operate in Canada. 1. Some provinces and territories (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon) have a specific Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act. There may also be regulations issued under the act that pertain to boilers and pressure vessels. Power Engineers Regulations usually come under this same act, except for PEI where there is a separate Power Engineers Act. 2. In other provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador) the act is a more general public safety act, and its scope goes beyond boilers and pressure vessels. These generic acts may include building, plumbing, electrical and fire codes, compressed gas systems, oil and gas pipelines, cranes, elevating devices, and amusement devices. Regulations under the act pertain to boilers and pressure vessels. Power Engineers, and pressure welding, as well as the areas listed above. Table 1 gives the names of the provincial and territorial acts and regulations. Table 1 - Boiler and Pressure Vessel Legislation by Province Alberta Safety Codes Act Pressure Equipment Safety Regulation AR49 British Columbia The Safety Standards Act Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Safety Regulation Power Engineers Regulation AR 85 B.C. Reg. 104 Manitoba The Steam and Pressure Plants Act Steam and Pressure Plants MR 108 Power Engineers MR 40 New Brunswick Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, NB Reg. 84-174 Newfoundland and Labrador Public Safety Act Nova Scotia Technical Safety Act Boiler and Pressure Equipment Regulations Power Engineers Regulations NS Reg. 12 Boilers, Pressure Vessels, and Compressed Gas Regulations NL Reg. 119 Ontario Technical Standards & Safety Act Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation 0. Reg.220 Prince Edward Island Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulations B-5 Power Engineers Act and Regulations P-15 Operating Engineers Regulation 0. Reg. 219 Quebec Regulation Respecting Pressure Installations Saskatchewan Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations Chapter B-1.1, r. 6.1 Chapter B-5.1 Reg. 2 Northwest Territories Nunavut Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act Yukon Boiler and Pressure Vessels Act Building Act In this chapter, when referring to any of the jurisdictional acts above, the term Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act, or simply the act, will be used. 3rd Class Edition 3 • Part A2 Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers • Chapter 1 ^ BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL ACTS The various acts in Canada all have the same general purpose and are similar in many ways. But there are differences. Power Engineers must make sure they refer to the act of their jurisdiction. The following information describes the contents that may be found in a typical boiler and pressure vessel act. This information is somewhat generic as none of the acts in Canada are exactly alike. Definitions and Interpretations A boiler and pressure vessel act begins by defining various terms that are used in the act and its regulations. This includes terms such as administrator, approval, contractor, design, evaluation, owner, registration, and variance. Terminology Definitions do not necessarily mean the same thing from one province or territory to another. Consider the following: 0 • In Alberta, the Safety Codes Act states that an "owner includes a lessee, a person in charge, a person who has care and control, and a person who holds out that the person has the powers and authority of ownership or who for the time being exercises the powers and authority of ownership" (Alberta Queen's Printer, 2000). Further, the User Guide to the Pressure Equipment Safety Regulations says "Owner refers to a person or company who has care and control of pressure equipment, regardless of whether the equipment is the actual property of that person or company" (Alberta Queen's Printer, 2000). • Under Ontario Regulation 219/01, Operating Engineers, owner means the person to whom or which the plant is registered, but does not mean the operating engineers or operators who operate, control, or maintain the plant (Ontario Queen's Printer, 2001). So, in Alberta, an operator can be deemed to be the owner, but in Ontario, it is specifically stated that an operator is not the owner. Legally, an owner has more responsibility and liability than an operator/ which could become an issue in the event of an accident/ incident/ or death in the plant. Quality Control System The act may state that agencies engaged in activities such as pressure equipment manufacturing, construction, in-service inspection, alterations and repair, and pressure relief device servicing must have a quality control system to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. A quality control system is a set of documented, planned, and systematic actions that describe how an organization will ensure compliance with codes and standards. The quality control program is written up in a quality manual that must be approved by the regulatory authority before authorization is given. Terminology The term quality control is used in standards such as CSA-B51 (see CSA-B51-19, Part 1, Clause 4.9, Quality Control Program). Provincial acts and regulations may use various other terms including quality management, quality assurance, or quality program, but these course notes will use the term quality control exclusively. 3rd Class Edition 3 • Part A2 0 ^ Chapter 1 • Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers Registration of Design of Boiler, Piping System, or Fitting The act states that no person may construct, manufacture, or import any pressure equipment for use in a particular jurisdiction unless the design of that equipment is registered in the jurisdiction where it will be used. The equipment must also meet the requirements of provincial boiler and pressure vessel regulations. In order to import a used boiler, pressure vessel, plant, or piping system that was previously installed outside the jurisdiction, it is mandatory to obtain written approval from the chief inspector in the jurisdiction into which the equipment will be imported. To register a design, an applicant must apply in writing with details of the design, specifications, make, and date of manufacture of the equipment. Administration The act lays out how the various sections of the act will be administered and who will do it. The act or regulations will identify a person by job title (Chief Inspector, Administrator, Safety Manager, etc.) who has the authority to make technical decisions concerning the interpretation and application of the act and regulations. For example, the administrator for boiler and pressure vessel regulations is generally the chief inspector of the province issuing the regulation. Inspectors This section of the act lists the rules regarding inspections, the orders issued by an inspector, the powers of an inspector, and the responsibilities of the owner or person in charge of the equipment to assist an inspector. The certificate of inspection is described in this section, as well as the responsibilities of the owner or person in charge to retain and display this certificate. Q Terminology Inspectors may also be known as safety officers or safety codes officers depending on the jurisdiction. Accidents and Investigations The procedure to be followed by the owner or person in charge in the event of an accident concerning the boiler, pressure vessel, or power plant is detailed in this section of the act. It is also noted that such an accident may be investigated by the chief inspector or other persons as directed by the chief inspector. Regulations and Offences This part of the act states that the governing body of the jurisdiction may make regulations regarding boilers, pressure vessels, power plants, and fittings concerning the registration of design, construction, testing, installation, inspection, operation, and repair. Many other types of regulations that the governing body may make are also listed in this section, including rules concerning certificates of competency. This section states that contravening any provision of the act is an offence, and the penalty for doing so may be a fine or imprisonment. 10 3rd Class Edition 3 • Part A2 Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers • Chapter 1 BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL REGULATIONS The following information is a general overview of typical Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations issued under aboiler and pressure vessel act. It is a generic example only, which maybe recognizable, but it is not a complete or accurate representation of any single jurisdictions regulations. Definitions Definitions for boilers and pressure vessels are listed. Definitions may include boiler, fitting, power plant, heating plant, and manufacturer s data report. Exceptions Not all pressure equipment falls under the act and regulations. Equipment such as the following could be exempt from the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act and Regulations. (There will be slight variations between the various Canadian jurisdictions.) • A boiler or pressure vessel subject to another act such as the Canada Shipping Act • A power boiler (high pressure boiler) with a heating surface of 1 m2 or less • A heating boiler (low pressure boiler) with a heating surface of 2 m2 or less Adoption of Codes The regulations of each province and territory reference certain codes and standards. Depending on the province, the wording may say that certain codes and standards are adopted, adopted as guides, or declared in force. This means that they become part of the legal requirements for pressure equipment in the province where they are adopted. Although all of the adopted codes are important, third class Power Engineers will deal with some more than others, especially those developed by the following organizations: • Canadian Standards Association (CSA) • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) • National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) Design Registration The Boiler and Pressure Equipment Regulations lay out the requirements for design registration for boilers, pressure vessels, fittings, pressure piping systems, etc. These requirements include, among other things, design pressure and temperature, weld joint details, calculations, and drawings. Manufacturing and Construction Companies that manufacture and construct boilers and pressure vessels must be authorized to do so by a regulatory authority. Conditions that must be met for authorization are listed in the regulation. Approval is based on a review of the company's quality control system in place to ensure compliance with code and provincial regulations. This authorization and approval applies to both ASME authorized shops and non-ASME authorized shops. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Identification Every boiler and pressure vessel must have the mandatory stamping and nameplate that meet the requirements of CSA-B51 code. CSA-B51 specifies, in part, that every boiler and pressure vessel must be stamped with an ASME code symbol stamp or other stamp acceptable to the regulatory authority (CSA-B51-19, Part 1, Clause 5.3.1). 3rd Class Edition 3 - Part A2 11 ^ Chapter 1 • Legislation and Codes for Power Engineers Operations No equipment may be operated without an operating permit or license. Certain low-capacity boilers and pressure vessels are exempt from a certificate of inspection but are still subject to the other requirements of the regulation. Notification Unsafe conditions, accidents, and fires must be reported to the regulatory authority. The regulatory authority must also be notified in case of a change of ownership or location. Repairs and Alterations Repairs and alterations may only be carried out by agencies authorized by the regulatory authority. These agencies must submit a quality control system for approval. In some cases, the chief inspector may require that repair procedures be submitted for approval before the commencement of the work. (Note: the terms repair and alteration have specific meanings with respect to boilers and Q pressure vessels. See Terminology.) Terminology A repair returns a boiler or pressure vessel to its original condition as per the manufacturer's data report. Plugging a leaking tube is a repair. An alteration is a change to a boiler or pressure vessel that requires a change of design calculations or alters its pressure-containing potential as reported on the manufacturer's data report. Changing the maximum allowable pressure is an alteration. Refer to CSA-B51 Definitions Quality Control System for Periodic Inspections Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations require that every owner of a boiler, pressure vessel, or plant that is in use must ensure that this equipment is inspected at prescribed intervals. Periodic inspections (also called in-service inspections) must be performed by the regulatory authority or an inspection agency authorized by the regulatory authority, such as the following: • An authorized insurance company • An owner-user • An authorized third-party inspection company Inspection agencies authorized by the province or territory work under a quality control system that has been approved by the regulatory authority. Pressure Welding Procedures Pressure welding procedures are required when a person who intends to construct, alter, or repair any boiler, pressure vessel, fitting, or pressure piping system by welding. The procedures must be registered with the regulatory authority. Any alteration or repair involving welding must be done in accordance with the registered welding procedures. Pressure welders must be qualified in accordance with the registered welding procedure. 12 3rd Class Edition 3 • Part A2