Individuals and businesses who own boilers and pressure vessels (BPV) regulated under the Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels must have a valid Certificate of Inspection (COI) for each boiler or pressure vessel they own or operate.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will issue a COI to the owner of a boiler or pressure vessel that has passed an inspection. You must have one to operate a BPV device legally
To obtain a COI, you must have your device inspected by an insurer or TSSA according to the requirements in the BPV Code Adoption Document (pdf).
Once the inspection has passed, the owner must validate the Record of Inspection and pay a fee to TSSA to receive a COI for each device inspected. See the most recent BPV fee schedule.
The validity period of a COI varies depending on the device. For example, if your BPV device is inspected every 24 months, your COI will be valid for 24 months from the day it was issued. The maximum validity period of a COI is 36 months.
If you want to renew a COI that is close to expiry, the device must be inspected. These periodic inspections must be conducted for the life of the device. Inspections must be conducted at the intervals outlined in TSSA’s Amendments to the 2001 Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code Adoption Document (pdf).
After a BPV device has passed a periodic inspection, the inspector or insurer will submit a Record of Inspection (ROI) to the BPV COI Portal. TSSA will notify owners or operators that this ROI has been uploaded.
For more information on the COI process, read TSSA Customer Alert: New automated certificate process for owners of boilers and pressure vessels effective March 16, 2021 (pdf).
How to get your first COI for newly installed devices
You must arrange an installation inspection with TSSA if you own or operate a BPV device that is new, has never been inspected by TSSA, or has changed its location. Visit Schedule an Inspection for instructions on scheduling an installation inspection.
How to get a COI after a periodic inspection
Remember, a COI is valid for between 12 and 36 months, but a BPV device that you own or operate must be inspected for the life of the device. Your device must pass a periodic inspection before you can renew your COI.
Under Section 5 of Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, it is an offence for any person to operate or use a boiler or pressure vessel in Ontario unless TSSA has issued a current COI to the owner or operator. Section 10.1(3) of the Regulation requires you to apply for a COI by paying the set fee no later than 30 days after receipt of the ROI from your insurer.
If an owner does not take the appropriate action to obtain their COI, TSSA may, without advance notice, begin further regulatory action, which may include shutting down a device or prosecution for offences under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
Periodic Inspections for Uninsured Devices (conducted by TSSA)
For BPV devices that are not insured, TSSA inspects the device and issues the COI as required by Ontario Regulation 220/01: Boilers and Pressure Vessels. To schedule a periodic inspection for devices that do not have a boiler and machinery insurance policy, submit the Inspection Request form (pdf) to inspectionscheduling@tssa.org.
Periodic Inspections for Insured Devices (conducted by Insurers)
For devices that have a boiler and machinery insurance policy, the insurance company is responsible for inspecting and issuing the COI to the device. Here is how to get a COI after a periodic inspection conducted by an insurer:
Step One: Schedule an inspection
Arrange for an inspection with your insurance company or inspection agency 60 days before the expiry date published on the existing COI.
You will receive reminders from TSSA in advance of the expiry date.
After your BPV device has been inspected, your insurer will upload the ROI onto the TSSA portal. You’ll receive an email from TSSA that your ROI is ready for review. After the inspection, insurers have 30 days to upload the ROI to TSSA’s BPV COI portal.
Step Two: Review the Record of Inspection (ROI)
Access the BPV COI portal (see more below) to review your ROI and ensure the information it details is accurate.
If you need to make any updates to your information, please fill out the appropriate Unique Identification Number (UID) Request Form:
Email account changes to bpv_inquiries@tssa.org and inventory updates to bpvidrequest@tssa.org.
Step Three: Pay for your ROI(s)
After you approve any ROIs uploaded to the portal, you will see a list of the inspections for which you must pay. You must pay for the inspections within 30 days to obtain your COI.
Only ROIs approved in your current portal session will be available for payment.
You can pay with a credit card in the BPV COI portal in the same session in which you approved the ROIs, or you may request an invoice which will be sent via email or traditional mail. Invoice payments can be made with a credit card via the TSSA Invoice Payment portal.
Step Four: Obtain your COI
After payment is processed, you can print or download the COI from the BPV COI portal.
Remember to post the associated COI near each of your devices in a visible location.
For more information, read How to Get a Boilers and Pressure Vessels Certificate of Inspection from TSSA (pdf).
BPV COI Portal for owners and operators
The BPV COI Portal for owners and operators is an automated platform where device owners and operators can renew a Certificate of Inspection (COI) for their boilers and pressure vessels.
To register to use the portal and submit your first COI, email bpv_inquiries@tssa.org or customerservices@tssa.org, or call 1-877-682-8772.
For help using the owner/operator portal, refer to the following resources:
- How to Get a BPV COI from TSSA
Frequently asked questions on the BPV COI portal for owners and operators.
If your company name has changed or you have purchased a company with boilers and pressure vessels, complete the Change of Ownership for Certificate of Inspection form.
BPV COI Portal for Insurers
The BPV COI Portal for insurers is an automated platform for insurers who perform periodic inspections of regulated devices.
Using this portal, insurers can:
Submit a Record of Inspection (ROI) after conducting an inspection
Review device information
Update insurer information
Obtain a unique identification number (UID) for inspected devices by completing the appropriate Request for UID form and emailing it to bpvidrequest@tssa.org:
For help using the insurer portal, see the Insurer Portal Training Guide (pdf).
Or read these frequently asked questions on the BPV COI portal for insurers.