Installation permits: Boilers, pressure vessels, refrigeration

Who needs a boiler, pressure vessel, refrigeration permit?

Licensed contractors and owners planning to install, operate, or perform maintenance on regulated boilers and refrigeration systems. Examples include:

Hot water or low pressure steam boilers with a heating surface area exceeding 3 m2
High pressure steam boilers with a heating surface area exceeding 2 m2
Hot potable water heaters exceeding 120 kW or 400,000 BTUs/h
Air conditioning and refrigeration systems exceeding 5 kW input prime mover nameplate rating

View a list of equipment that does not require an installation permit.

Pressure vessels don't require an installation permit, but some, including propane storage tanks, require an operating permit.

Who issues the permit?

Technical Safety BC issues the permit.

Getting a permit from Technical Safety BC

Register your boiler, pressure vessel or refrigeration equipment before applying for an installation permit. Not all equipment requires registration, but many do. Once your design registration is approved, you will receive a Canadian Design Registration Number (CRN) that is needed for the installation permit.
Apply and pay for a permit through your account or by filling out one of our online forms for boilers or refrigeration. If you use one of these forms, you will have to submit payment separately through mail, or by calling us.
Once your application is approved, Technical Safety BC will issue a permit number.
Once the installation is completed, you can then submit the Boiler and Refrigeration Declaration form, which can also be found in your account.
Technical Safety BC will process the request and determine if a further physical assessment is needed.

How much does a permit cost?

The fee for a permit depends on the type of work you are doing. See the full fee schedule. Technical Safety BC is a not-for-profit organization. Fees associated with permits allow us to work with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education and outreach, enforcement and research.

Amending the permit value or scope of work

Often, the scope of work changes over the course of a project, affecting the value of the permit. If this is the case, a permit amendment must be submitted. A permit for the final value and scope of work must be in place before requesting for a final inspection. Undervalued work may be subject to enforcement action. Learn how to amend a permit.