Owners, users, agents, manufacturers and contractors of boilers or pressurized equipment must register equipment designs to ensure the equipment meets safety standards. Before pressurized equipment is registered, its design must undergo an engineering review to ensure it complies with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 and adopted safety codes and standards.
A CRN will be issued to the design of the pressurized equipment that has been approved by TSSA. The Canadian Registration Number (CRN) is a number issued by a provincial safety authority that legally allows the installation and use of boilers, pressure vessels or fitting.
Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels applies to the design, construction, maintenance, use, operation, repair and service of boilers, pressure vessels (BPV) and piping. To ensure these meet all applicable regulations, safety codes and standards, TSSA’s BPV Safety Program provides the following services:
Design registration
Welding and brazing procedure registrations
Variance reviews
Design registration
Pressure equipment must be registered in each province or territory where it will be used. Since January 1, 2020, design reviews conducted by provinces and territories in Canada are mutually recognized by those jurisdictions participating in the Reconciliation Agreement for the Canadian Registration Number (CRN) for Pressure Equipment.
The agreement enables the mutual recognition and standardization of design reviews conducted by these participating jurisdictions, making the system more streamlined and efficient. BPV owners and operators who have a BPV device for use in Ontario will need to have a CRN issued by TSSA.
There are two types of design registration applications for a CRN:
Ontario only:
Learn more about registering a design for use in Ontario only.
Multiple jurisdictions
Learn more about registering a design for use in multiple jurisdictions in Canada with our National Service. For more information, please contact BPV Nationals at bpv_reg_billing@tssa.org.
Design revisions or changes
To submit pre-construction design revisions, please submit a new application by following the steps outlined in the Register a Design page. Include a letter describing the design changes.
For post-construction design changes, apply for a variance. Compliance with applicable ASME and CSA codes and standards are required where practical. Non-nuclear variances need to be submitted on the Portal with your prepayment and all supporting documentation, including the new Variance Attestation form.
If you need help, please contact bpv_registrations@tssa.org.
Preparing for welding and brazing procedure qualification
Welding and brazing procedures must also be registered. In preparation for the procedure qualification, a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) and Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) or Brazing Procedure Specification (BPS) must be completed in accordance with ASME Section IX (Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications – current Edition).
The following sample forms are included in ASME Section IX:
The PQR needs to document all essential and, when required, supplementary essential variables listed in ASME Section IX and the other applicable Sections of ASME codes for each welding process used during the welding of the test coupon. It also needs to fully describe the type and number of tests. The test results shall meet the requirements of the applicable ASME code.
The WPS or BPS must describe all essential, nonessential and, when required, supplementary essential variables for each welding process used in the WPS. The ranges of essential and, when required, supplementary essential variables listed on the WPS/BPS must not exceed the values allowed by the applicable code. The WPS/BPS also needs to reference the supporting PQR(s). Any other information that may be helpful in making the weldment could be included in the WPS/BPS.
TSSA recommends engaging a consultant to help with welding or brazing procedures.
Variance review
Variances may be allowed for items that do not fully comply with Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, provided the variance will not affect the safe use of the item or the health or safety of any person.
To apply for a non-nuclear variance or conventional variances, submit your prepayment and all supporting material, including the Variance Attestation form on the TSSA Client Portal.
To apply for a Nuclear AIA evaluation, please fill out the “Application for AIA evaluation” form and send the documents to bpv_registrations@tssa.org.
Consulting resources
Consulting services should be obtained from engineers with industry experience with the boilers and pressure vessels industry. TSSA does not provide consultation services for Canadian Registration Number requests.
The following resources can help you find a consulting engineer near you:
Upon request, TSSA will conduct a preliminary review of designs to determine their conformance with required safety standards to let manufacturers know whether that equipment is acceptable before manufacturing begins.
For more information, please contact Shaun Montano, Manager, BPV Engineering, Boilers and Pressure Vessels at smontano@tssa.org.
Expedited Engineering Services
TSSA offers, on a case-by-case basis, expedited engineering services for applications involving hot taps, leak boxes, and repairs in a refinery or nuclear facility. Expedited services must be prepaid. All fees are non-refundable. Expedited services may be suspended at any time without notice due to workload volumes. Processing time is not guaranteed and is reliant upon the completeness and quality of the submission. BPV Engineering targets to register expedited submissions in 4 weeks from the date the application is received. To request expedited engineering services for applications not submitted via the client Portal, complete the Application for the Provision of Expedited Engineering Services - PV 09552 (pdf).