Data by technology: Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration
Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration
Technical Safety BC oversees the design, construction, installation and operation of boiler, pressure and refrigeration plants as well as pressure vessels, pressure piping systems, fittings and refrigeration equipment throughout British Columbia.
Incidents reported to us in 2021
Injuries reported to us in 2021
Assessments completed in 2021
Incidents
In 2021, the number of Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration incidents reported to us decreased by five (12%) compared to 2020.
Two major incidents were reported to us including a heat exchanger releasing ammonia at indoor ice surface facility’s refrigeration plant.
Note: The category under assessment refers to incidents reported to Technical Safety BC that were still under investigation at year-end.
Boiler, Pressure Vessel, & Refrigeration Incidents by Year (2017 - 2021)
Injuries
No injuries were reported to us in 2021.
Please note that we receive injury reports and descriptions from operators or first responders at the time of, or immediately following, the incident. Injuries may develop after the initial reports were made to us and the long-term effects of a resultant injury may not be recorded as part of our investigation.
Boiler, Pressure Vessel, & Refrigeration Injuries by Year (2017 - 2021)
Permits
In 2021, there were 1,611 installation permits and 64,894 operating permits in the Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration technology.
Boiler, Pressure Vessel, & Refrigeration Permits by Year (2017 - 2021)
Assessments
Technical Safety BC safety officers completed a total of 6,474 assessments of boiler, pressure vessel, and refrigeration equipment in 2021. Of this total, 4,127 were in-person inspections and 2,347 were remote inspections.
Total assessments increased by 1,595 (33%) compared with 2021.
Assessments are rated as follows:
Assessment Ratings
| Pass |
The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations, and/or applicable technical code(s). |
| Fail |
The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to NOT comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations, and/or applicable technical code(s). Further regulated work on the affected system or phase of work, and/or operation of the regulated equipment must not be undertaken until the identified non-compliances have been corrected. |
Note: Unlike some other technologies we regulate, BPVR does not have a Conditional Pass category.
Boiler, Pressure Vessel, & Refrigeration In-Person Inspections in 2021
Boiler, Pressure Vessel, & Refrigeration Remote Inspections in 2021
Ammonia Safety
Throughout 2021, we worked in collaboration with our partners to pilot, launch, and evaluate the Ammonia Safety Awareness Program, as well as make ongoing improvements to the content and delivery to ensure it would be accessible and impactful for industry.