Design Registration: Boiler and Pressure Equipment
Important update
The Oil and Gas Commission has removed Appendix A under the MoU from their website, as it did not represent the subject matter correctly. Appendix A was not binding, and should not be referenced moving forward.
Currently, Technical Safety BC and the Oil and Gas Commission are working together to develop appropriate materials.
New, used, or re-rated boilers, unfired pressure vessels, and heat exchangers
Applicable codes
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.”
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.
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 & 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.
All applications must be submitted through the Design Registration Portal, or they will be rejected.
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. Learn more
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). 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
Questions? Email us
Pressure Piping
Pressure piping systems are a series of piping, and pressure components that convey an expansible fluid or non-expansible fluid between two points. These systems are regulated by Technical Safety BC and require a design registration, under specific requirements.
Applicable codes
The following pressure piping systems are recognized design codes for pressure piping:
- 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
The following requirements define pressure piping that require design registration. Please note, Technical Safety BC is still the Authority Having Jurisdiction on all piping that meets the latest edition of CSA B51. Pressure piping NPS 3 or smaller do not require design registration, however, the system must comply with all regulation and code requirements:
- Non-expansible fluids (ie. non-compressible), 1100 kPag (159 psig) or the operating temperature exceeds 121°C (250°F), and is > NPS 3, then it requires design registration
- Expansible fluids greater than 103 kPag (15psig), then it requires design registration.
Additional considerations
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."
Special Message for Pressure Fittings Statutory Declarations
We understand there may be difficulties obtaining a public notary or Commissioner of Oaths authentication during COVID-19 restrictions. Technical Safety BC does not require an original copy of the notarized form, but is accepting scanned and electronic signed forms. If you are unable to obtain a notarization electronically, please clearly indicate this on the Statutory Declaration form in lieu of the notarization signature while continuing to have the form signed by the manufacturer.
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.