Regulated Safety Services

Installation Inspections

Installation of Boilers & Pressure Vessels

Exemptions
Refer to Section 2(2) of the Boilers and Pressure Vessel Regulation for a list of exemptions. Safety Bulletin SB00-7 on this site gives guidance on systems that are exempt from the Regulation.

General
All boilers and pressure vessels require design registration, and inspection at the location of installation, before being put into operation in Ontario. In accordance with The Technical Standards and Safety Act, Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation and CSA-B51, The Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code.

A certificate of inspection is required to operate any boiler or pressure vessel for a specified period. The certificate is issued by TSSA upon completion of the installation inspection.

Contact your local TSSA Inspector before starting any installation of a boiler or pressure vessel.

Design Registration
All boilers and pressure vessels require design registration with TSSA prior to starting installation work. Please refer to the Design Registration portion of this website for the requirements for boilers and pressure vessels.

Used boilers and pressure vessels being moved to a new location, that have been previously registered in Ontario, do not require further design registration unless they are to be subject to alteration, but they still require inspection at the new location of installation before being put into operation.

Used boilers and pressure vessels, the design of which has not been previously registered in Ontario, shall be registered before completion of the installation inspection.

Installation Guidelines
Refer to the manufacturers instructions and the applicable Codes and Standards for proper installation.

The National Board Inspection Code, ANS/NB-23, provides guidelines that can be used to ensure satisfactory installations are performed.

Some of the items to be considered for installations of boilers and pressure vessels are as follows (These guidelines do not limit the right of the TSSA Inspector to call for any additional requirements necessary to perform a proper inspection):

Boiler Installations

1. A passageway at least 24 inches wide, clear of all obstructions shall be provided on both sides and at the rear of each boiler. Where necessary this clearance shall be increased to facilitate removal or opening of closures, casings or covers.
2. A minimum of 12 inches is recommended between the floor and lowest insulated surface of a boiler to facilitate inspection or repair.
3. Boilers not exempted by the Regulation require registration of the design with TSSA.
4. All approved boilers require installation in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, TSSA registered designs and applicable Codes and Standards.
5. Where a boiler blowoff discharges to a sewer, a registered blowoff vessel shall be installed to reduce the temperature to a maximum of 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit) in accordance with CSA-B51.
6. All boilers require overpressure protection (Safety Valves) with adequate relieving and venting capacity.
7. All boilers require pressure gauges for operation.
8. All steam boilers require siphons or traps to protect the pressure gauge.
9. All steam boilers require gauge glasses to operate, except those not having a fixed water level, such as forced flow steam generators. Note: The Operating Engineers Regulation also requires gauge glass shields.
10. All unattended steam boilers require pressure operated controls to operate. Installed in accordance with the boiler manufacturer and pressure control manufacturer’s instructions.
11. All unattended steam boilers require high and low-level controls to operate. Installed in accordance with the boiler manufacturer and high/low level control manufacturer’s instructions.
12. All unattended boilers (except solid fuel fired boilers) require low water cut off controls. Installed in accordance with the boiler manufacturer and low water cut-off manufacturer’s instructions.
13. A solid fuel fire tube boiler requires a fusible plug as specified in the ASME Code.
14. A Low-pressure hot water boiler requires temperature operated controls to operate. Installed in accordance with the boiler manufacturer and temperature control manufacturer’s instructions.
15. A High temperature hot water boiler (over 160 psi and 250 degrees Fahrenheit) requires a temperature gauge at or near the boiler outlet connection to operate.
16. A Low-pressure hot water boiler (maximum 160 psi and 250 degrees Fahrenheit) requires a thermometer indicating the temperature of the water at or near the boiler outlet connection to operate.
17. Regular maintenance is necessary for all controls and safety devices to ensure they operate as required.
18. All boilers under the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation require regular inspection and a valid certificate of inspection to operate before being pressurised.
19. Registration and attended operation of boilers may be required under the Operating Engineers regulation.
20. Additional guarded controls may be necessary under the Operating Engineers regulation.

Note: For additional information on boiler plant, refrigeration plant, compressor plant and turbine plant registration and staffing under the Operating Engineers Regulation, refer to the Operating Engineers section of this site.

Pressure Vessel Installations

1. A passageway at least 24 inches wide, clear of all obstructions shall be provided on both sides and at the rear of each pressure vessel. Where necessary this clearance shall be increased to facilitate removal or opening of closures, casings or covers.
2. A minimum of 12 inches is recommended between the floor and lowest insulated surface of a pressure vessel to facilitate inspection or repair.
3. Pressure vessels not exempted by the Regulation require registration of the design with TSSA.
4. All approved pressure vessels require installation in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, TSSA registered designs and applicable Codes and Standards.
5. All pressure vessels require overpressure protection (Safety Valves, Safety Relief Valves, Rupture Disks) with adequate relieving capacity
6. All pressure vessels require pressure gauges for operation.
7. All pressure vessels containing steam require siphons or traps to protect the pressure gauge.
8. Some pressure vessels require gauge glasses to operate.
9. Some pressure vessels require level controls to operate.
10. Pressure vessels in ammonia service must not have parts of copper, zinc, silver or alloys of these materials installed on the vessel.
11. Anhydrous ammonia storage tanks having a water capacity of 3000 gallons or more require a manhole.
12. Pressure vessels with quick opening doors, such as autoclaves, require:
    • Large clear dials on pressure gauges used for operation, easily read from the control station
    • Auxiliary pressure gauges reading inches of water where necessary for low pressures
    • Safety devices which prevent the opening mechanism from operating unless all pressure is released
    • Warning devices installed and operational to indicate the vessel is not properly locked prior to pressurization of the vessel or before pressure is released during operation
    • Regular inspection and maintenance of the locking mechanism to check for wear and adjustment, as well as to ensure full smooth engagement without binding
    • Full operating instructions clearly displayed at the operating station
13. Regular maintenance is necessary for all controls and safety devices to ensure they operate as required.
14. All pressure vessels under the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation require regular inspection and a valid certificate of inspection before being pressurized.