On July 1, 2021, the regulatory exemption for agricultural BPVs was lifted, marking an important safety milestone in Ontario.
The exemption was revoked due to growing safety concerns in the agricultural industry; similar concerns were also highlighted by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario in her 2018 report.
The Technical Safety and Standards Authority (TSSA) is implementing a five-year plan to bring into compliance all existing BPVs used for agricultural purposes that fall under the regulation as of July 1, 2021.
All boilers, pressure vessels (BPVs), fittings and piping used for agricultural purposes must comply with:
As of July 1, 2021, owners and operators of agricultural operations that use boilers or pressure equipment, including the following devices, must comply with the regulations listed above:
Steam boilers
Water boilers
Refrigeration equipment using ammonia, carbon dioxide, Group A1 refrigerants, and all other refrigerants
Pressure vessels
Pressure piping
Every owner of these devices is responsible for maintaining and operating their pressure equipment safely and immediately reporting to TSSA any incidents that cause injury, death or property damage.
TSSA will continue to work with agricultural partners to implement the regulatory requirements and make sure that owners, operators, and insurers of agricultural pressure equipment understand the safety regulations and how to comply with them.
If you have questions, email agriculture.bpv@tssa.org. Or view these frequently asked questions about the Minister’s revocation of the agricultural exemption.
Key requirements for regulated devices
BPV devices and equipment that fall under the regulation must comply with key requirements. These include scheduling an inspection and obtaining a Certificate of Inspection. Manufacturers must register their designs and request a Canadian Registration Number (CRN) for each design.
If you plan to repair or alter existing devices or equipment or piping systems, please see the Repairing or Altering BPV Devices and Equipment.
Equipment exempted from regulation
Some equipment is exempted from regulation because of the size of the equipment, the lower pressure or lower temperatures at which it operates, or its use of non-hazardous liquid.
See Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels for a full list of exclusions, and Amendments to the 2001 Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code Adoption Document (pdf).
Report your agricultural BPV equipment
Owners and operators of agricultural operations should report their BPV equipment to TSSA by completing this online form, or downloading the Application to Report Pressure Equipment Used for Agricultural Purposes (PDF) form. TSSA will use the information collected through the form to do a risk-based assessment and establish a priority list for scheduling inspections based on the type of device, its location and whether it is covered by insurance.
Resources
For more information on how to comply with safety laws, refer to the resources below:
An April 29, 2021, news bulletin and accompanying infographic outlined the regulatory requirements for newly installed boilers and pressure equipment used for agricultural purposes that fall within Ontrio Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, including the types of devices that are regulated, and examples of equipment that are excluded from regulation.
A June 4, 2021, news bulletin explained the requirements for existing, unregistered agricultural BPVs that would need repair, alteration, upgrading and/or replacement starting July 1.
Other helpful resources:
June 30, 2021, news bulletin on how and why to report existing agricultural BPVs
July 5, 2021, news bulletin outlining the reporting process and the inspection roles of TSSA versus insurers of agricultural BPV equipment
September 15, 2021, news bulletin reminding all owners and operators of agricultural operations to report existing BPV equipment installed before July 1, 2021
October 7, 2021, news bulletin featuring an Information Order (pdf) requiring owners and operators of agricultural BPVs to report existing equipment by November 30, 2021
November 15, 2021, news bulletin (pdf) reminding all owners and operators to report Agricultural Boilers and Pressure Vessels by November 30, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions providing additional information on the revocation of the agricultural exemption on BPVs used for agricultural equipment, as well as detail about regulatory requirements
Educational Resources clarifying the responsibilities and compliance requirements of owners and operators of regulated agricultural BPVs
Checklists (pdf) offering agricultural owners and operators guidance on what inspectors will look for when assessing agricultural BPV equipment
Educational resources
To help owners and operators of agricultural BPV equipment meet their compliance obligations, TSSA has provided the following three educational modules.
These resources provide a contextual understanding of the revocation of agricultural exemption. They also help clarify the responsibilities and compliance requirements of owners and operators of regulated BPVs used for agricultural purposes.
Module 1: An Overview - Guidance for Agricultural BPV Owners and Operators (pptx)
Introduction to TSSA
Background on the Minister’s Order Revocation
What Compliance Means to Agricultural Organizations
Regulatory Hierarchy
Module 2: BPV Equipment Installed Before July 1, 2021 (pptx)
Rules for Equipment in Operation before July 1, 2021
Performing Work on Piping Systems
Maintenance Requirements for Regulated Devices
Relief Valve Servicing and Lift Testing
Module 3: Installing New BPV Devices (pptx)
List of Various Applicable Codes for Different Devices
Rules and Information about Canadian Registration Numbers (CRNs)
What is a Data Report and Why It Is Important
Information about Certificate of Authorization Holders
Requirements for Installing Rental Equipment